Senior Dogs
We love to see senior dogs!
Once dogs are over 7 years of age they are considered seniors. As your dog ages, you may start noticing some lifestyle or behavioural changes that could signal a problem or need attention.
The Vets on Parker team is here to support your pet through every stage of life
As pets age, many health changes happen quietly. Our Healthy Ageing Assessment is designed to identify early changes before symptoms become obvious, helping us support your pet’s long-term health and wellbeing.
Why does healthy ageing matter?
Pets are experts at hiding illness and discomfort. Changes such as slowing down, sleeping more, or shifts in appetite are often put down to “just getting older,” but can sometimes be early signs of conditions such as:
- Arthritis and mobility changes
- Kidney or liver disease
- Endocrine (hormonal) conditions
- Dental disease
- Cognitive decline
The earlier we identify these changes, the more options we have to support your pet’s quality of life.
What's included?
Our Healthy Ageing Assessment is a check-up tailored specifically for ageing pets. It goes beyond a standard consultation to give a deeper understanding of your pet’s health.
- Comprehensive physical examination
- Weight, body condition and muscle condition scoring
- Mobility and joint health evaluation
- Discussion of behaviour, appetite and lifestyle changes
- Personalised health recommendations
This package also includes:
- Comprehensive blood testing
- Urine analysis
- Blood pressure measurement
These tests help identify changes early, often before symptoms appear.
If we identify anything that may benefit from closer attention, we’ll take the time to discuss the findings with you and develop a personalised plan for your pet’s care. Any recommended follow-up tests or treatments are optional and will always be discussed and quoted before proceeding.
Is my pet eligible?
As a guide:
- Dogs: From 7 years of age (5 years for giant breeds over 40kg)
- Cats: From 8 years of age
The Healthy Ageing Assessment bundle is available once every 12 months for eligible pets.
Expert care across every stage of your pet's life
Our focus at Vets on Parker is on understanding your pet as an individual and providing thoughtful, evidence-based care. With compassionate guidance and tailored recommendations, we’re here to support both you and your pet as they age.
Ready to support your pet’s next stage?
If your pet is entering their golden years, we’re ready to support both of you with personalised care, practical advice, and a proactive approach to healthy ageing.
- Comprehensive Wellness Exam
- Diagnostic Blood Screening
- Urine Analysis
- Blood Pressure Measurement
At Vets on Parker, we recommend twice yearly health checks for senior dogs. Your precious pooch ages seven times faster than us and regular health checks can help ensure we catch age related health conditions before they impact your dog’s quality of life.
Dental Disease
Just like in humans, routine dental home care and regular veterinary check-ups are essential for slowing the progression of dental disease. As pets age, dental disease can worsen, leading to irreversible damage to the gums and teeth, and secondary infections that can impact their overall health.
Many owners are unaware their pet has a problem because animals often hide pain and continue to eat. A pet’s ability to eat normally can be misleading — most of the time, they’ve simply learned to tolerate a painful condition. Regular dental checks help detect issues early, before they become more serious.
Blood Testing
Annual blood testing for pets over seven years old is strongly recommended for early detection screening. Animals with diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease and even tumours/cancers often do not show signs of the disease until they are very sick. Routine yearly screenings are extremely important as they can help us diagnose these conditions while your pet is still healthy, with early intervention providing better long term outcomes for our canine companions. A blood sample can be collected in consult, with test results often back by the next day.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common disease we see in older dogs and it can be quite painful if left untreated. Arthritis can be easily managed with medication and a few lifestyle changes. Some common symptoms of arthritis include slowing down on walks, stiffness after getting up or reduced activity levels. If you notice any of these behaviours in your pet, please talk to your vet.
Lumps and bumps
Skin tumours are very common in older dogs. Most of these lumps are not anything to worry about, however, sometimes they can be very serious. All lumps, no matter the size, need to be checked by a vet and sampled to make sure they are not cancerous.
Need an appointment?
Where your pet’s unwell, or it’s time for a general check-up or vaccination, your furry friend is in good hands. Book online to see our expert Vets on Parker!
Contact Details
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday: 8am – 7pm
Saturday: 8am – 4pm
Sunday: 10:00 am – 12:00pm
