Senior Wellness Exams: What Tests Do Older Dogs, Cats and Horses Need?

By Dr Duncan Houston

An older dog can still wag its tail, a senior cat can still purr, and an ageing horse can still meet you at the gate while quietly developing dental pain, arthritis, kidney disease, hypertension or an endocrine disorder.

That is why a senior wellness appointment should never be reduced to “just the vaccinations.”

Vaccines remain an important part of preventive healthcare, but the physical examination, weight and muscle assessment, dental evaluation, mobility review and carefully selected diagnostic tests often provide the most useful information about an older animal’s current health. (AAHA)

Quick Answer

Most senior dogs and cats benefit from a veterinary examination approximately every six months, even when they appear healthy. Senior dogs and cats commonly have a complete blood count, chemistry panel and urinalysis every six to twelve months, with additional testing based on species, breed, medication use and examination findings. (AAHA)

Healthy senior horses should generally receive a full physical examination every six to twelve months, including dental, weight, body condition and soundness assessments. Bloodwork, urinalysis and endocrine testing should be selected according to the horse’s age, clinical signs and individual risk rather than automatically applying the same panel to every horse. (University of Minnesota Extension)

When Is an Animal Considered Senior?

“Senior” is not a diagnosis, and it is not determined by one universal birthday.

Senior dogs

Dogs age at different rates depending on their size, breed, genetics and health history. AAHA defines the senior life stage as approximately the final 25% of the dog’s expected lifespan.

This means a giant-breed dog may enter the senior stage considerably earlier than a small terrier. A fixed rule such as “every dog becomes senior at seven” is convenient, but not particularly accurate. (AAHA)

Senior cats

Cats are generally considered senior from around ten years of age.

A ten-year-old cat may still appear energetic and outwardly healthy, but this is the age when monitoring for kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, hypertension, dental disease, muscle loss and osteoarthritis becomes increasingly important. (AAHA)

Senior horses

There is no absolute age at which every horse becomes geriatric. Equine guidelines commonly use over fifteen years as a practical senior category, but a healthy twenty-year-old horse may function better than a chronically unwell twelve-year-old.

Dental condition, body condition, muscle mass, mobility, endocrine health and previous disease history are often more useful than age alone. (AAEP)

Why Is a Senior Wellness Visit More Than a Vaccination Appointment?

The vaccine schedule and the wellness examination schedule are not necessarily the same.

Some core canine and feline vaccines may be administered every three years after the primary course, while healthy senior dogs and cats are still commonly examined every six months. Waiting until the next vaccine is due may therefore mean waiting years between proper health assessments. (AAHA)

Vaccines should not automatically be discontinued because an animal is old.

Healthy senior dogs should continue core vaccination according to current guidelines. Senior cats require an individual risk-benefit assessment, but standard core vaccination protocols generally continue when appropriate. Equine vaccination should remain based on geographical exposure, lifestyle, health status and disease consequences. (AAHA)

In some situations, older animals may be more vulnerable to infectious disease rather than less vulnerable. For example, AAEP guidance identifies geriatric horses over fifteen as having increased susceptibility to clinical West Nile virus disease, meaning some may need more carefully timed protection rather than fewer vaccines. (AAEP)

The needle may be the quickest part of the visit, but it should not be the entire plot.

How Often Should Senior Animals Be Examined?

Senior dogs and cats

A useful starting point is a veterinary examination every six months.

Six-monthly examinations allow the veterinarian to compare:

• Body weight

• Body and muscle condition

• Dental health

• Heart and lung sounds

• Mobility

• Blood pressure

• Laboratory trends

• Lumps and skin changes

• Behaviour and cognitive function

• Medication response

Animals with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, endocrine disease or ongoing pain may require assessment every one to four months, depending on the condition and treatment. (AAHA)

Senior horses

A healthy senior horse should generally have a comprehensive examination every six to twelve months.

A horse with PPID, previous laminitis, significant dental disease, weight loss, recurrent choke, chronic lameness or another ongoing condition may need more frequent examination and monitoring. (University of Minnesota Extension)

These intervals are starting points, not rigid rules. A meaningful change at home should trigger an earlier examination rather than waiting for the calendar.

What Should a Senior Wellness Examination Include?

A senior examination begins before the veterinarian touches the animal.

Changes in eating, drinking, elimination, sleep, exercise, movement, grooming, vision, hearing and behaviour can be diagnostically important. A complete medication and supplement list is also essential because drug interactions and unnecessary duplication become more likely as animals accumulate treatments over time. (AAHA)

Weight, body condition and muscle condition

Body weight alone does not tell the whole story.

An older animal may maintain the same weight while losing muscle and gaining fat. This can occur with inactivity, chronic disease, poor nutrition, endocrine disease or age-related sarcopenia.

The veterinarian should evaluate:

• Current weight

• Previous weight trend

• Body condition score

• Muscle condition

• Fat distribution

• Hydration

• Whether a diet change is actually needed

Senior cats are particularly prone to loss of lean muscle mass, while many senior dogs gain fat as their activity and energy requirements change. (AAHA)

Mouth and dental health

Dental disease can cause chronic pain while producing surprisingly few obvious signs.

The examination should look for:

• Periodontal disease

• Broken or resorptive teeth

• Loose teeth

• Oral masses

• Ulcers

• Difficulty chewing

• Food dropping from the mouth

• Abnormal odour

• Pain when opening the mouth

AAHA recommends that the oral cavity be assessed at every veterinary visit in senior dogs and cats. Dental radiographs are often required during a properly anaesthetised dental procedure because much of the tooth lies beneath the gumline. (AAHA)

Senior horses should have at least an annual dental examination. Horses with loose teeth, missing teeth, periodontal pockets or abnormal wear may require more frequent checks. (University of Minnesota Extension)

Heart and lungs

The veterinarian should listen for:

• Heart murmurs

• Abnormal rhythms

• Changes in heart rate

• Crackles or wheezes

• Reduced airflow

• Upper respiratory noise

• Abnormal recovery after movement or exercise

A murmur does not automatically mean heart failure, but it may justify blood pressure measurement, an electrocardiogram, chest imaging or an echocardiogram depending on the animal and findings.

Mobility and pain

Slowing down should not automatically be accepted as normal ageing.

A mobility examination may identify:

• Osteoarthritis

• Spinal pain

• Muscle loss

• Neurological weakness

• Hoof pain

• Tendon or ligament disease

• Poor balance

• Reduced joint range of motion

Cats may stop jumping, hesitate before using stairs, groom less, miss the litter tray or become irritable rather than displaying an obvious limp. Studies referenced in AAHA’s senior guidelines indicate that more than 60% of cats may have osteoarthritis in at least one joint, despite the absence of an obvious abnormality such as joint crepitus. (AAHA)

Eyes, ears, skin and lumps

The examination should include:

• Vision and pupil responses

• Cataracts or retinal changes

• Ear canal disease

• Hearing changes

• Skin and coat quality

• Nail or hoof changes

• Lymph nodes

• New or changing masses

New masses should be measured and recorded. In dogs and cats, fine-needle sampling is often preferable to assuming a lump is a harmless lipoma based on feel alone. Benign and malignant masses can look remarkably similar from the outside. (AAHA)

Behaviour and cognitive function

Changes in sleep, social interaction, house training, anxiety, pacing, vocalisation or awareness may result from:

• Pain

• Hearing or vision loss

• Cognitive dysfunction

• Hypertension

• Neurological disease

• Urinary or gastrointestinal illness

• Endocrine disease

• Environmental stress

Behavioural change should prompt a medical assessment before it is labelled dementia or dismissed as stubbornness.

What Blood and Urine Tests Do Senior Dogs and Cats Need?

AAHA’s senior care guidelines recommend that many senior dogs and cats have a complete blood count, chemistry panel and urinalysis every six to twelve months. The exact panel should be adjusted to the animal’s clinical history, physical examination and previous results. (AAHA)

Complete blood count

A complete blood count assesses:

• Red blood cells

• White blood cells

• Platelets

• Cell size and appearance

It may identify changes consistent with anaemia, inflammation, infection, immune-mediated disease, bone marrow disorders or blood loss.

A normal complete blood count does not rule out cancer, dental pain, arthritis or early organ disease.

Chemistry panel

A chemistry panel commonly evaluates:

• Kidney-related markers

• Liver-related enzymes

• Blood glucose

• Electrolytes

• Calcium

• Protein and albumin

• Cholesterol

• Other species-specific markers

SDMA may be included as an additional kidney filtration marker. It should be interpreted alongside creatinine, urine concentration, muscle mass, hydration and the rest of the patient’s clinical findings. (IRIS)

Urinalysis

Urinalysis is not an optional decorative sidekick to the blood panel. It can reveal information that bloodwork alone cannot provide.

It assesses:

• Urine concentration

• Protein

• Glucose

• Ketones

• Blood

• Bilirubin

• Crystals

• Cells

• Bacteria

• Sediment abnormalities

A urine protein-to-creatinine ratio or culture may be recommended when protein, inflammation or infection is suspected.

Blood pressure

Blood pressure should be considered routinely in senior dogs and particularly senior cats.

AAHA recommends annual blood pressure assessment for senior patients, with measurement every six to twelve months strongly recommended in healthy geriatric cats. Hypertension may damage the eyes, kidneys, heart and nervous system before an owner notices obvious signs. (AAHA)

Thyroid testing

AAHA recommends annual thyroxine testing in senior dogs and strongly recommends it in senior cats.

In cats, a rising total T4 trend may be important even when the result remains near the upper end of the laboratory reference interval. Hyperthyroidism most commonly affects cats over ten years of age and may initially produce only subtle weight or behaviour changes. (AAHA)

In dogs, thyroid results must be interpreted cautiously. Obesity, tiredness or a single low total T4 result does not confirm hypothyroidism. Other illnesses, medications, breed and age can all affect thyroid results, and research suggests canine hypothyroidism is sometimes diagnosed and treated without sufficient supporting evidence. (OUP Academic)

Parasite and heartworm testing

Dogs living in regions where heartworm occurs should generally be tested annually, even when they receive year-round preventive medication. Cats require a different diagnostic approach, and testing is selected according to exposure, symptoms and local risk. (American Heartworm Society)

Faecal parasite testing frequency should reflect lifestyle, location, prey exposure and the preventive products being used rather than being applied identically to every animal. (AAHA)

Imaging and additional testing

Routine imaging of every healthy senior animal is not automatically necessary.

Radiographs, ultrasound, echocardiography, electrocardiography and advanced imaging are most useful when the examination, breed, history or laboratory results identify a specific reason to investigate. Breed-related cardiac screening may also be appropriate in selected dogs. (AAHA)

The aim is not to perform every available test. The aim is to select the tests most likely to change what you do next.

What Should Be Prioritised in a Senior Dog?

Mobility and osteoarthritis

Watch for:

• Difficulty rising

• Slower walking

• Reluctance to use stairs

• Hesitation before jumping

• Reduced interest in play

• Restlessness at night

• Panting when apparently at rest

• Behavioural changes when touched

Owners often describe these changes as the dog “getting old.” In practice, many dogs are becoming painful.

A short video of the dog standing, walking, turning and using stairs at home can reveal more than watching an anxious dog move across a slippery clinic floor. AAHA specifically recognises home videos as useful for assessing senior mobility. (AAHA)

Dental disease

Bad breath is not simply an old-dog smell.

Periodontal disease, fractured teeth and oral tumours can cause pain, reduced appetite, altered chewing and chronic inflammation. Small senior dogs may have extensive periodontal bone loss despite continuing to eat. (AAHA)

Heart and respiratory disease

Coughing, reduced exercise tolerance, fainting, rapid breathing during sleep or a newly detected murmur may justify further investigation.

Not every murmur requires immediate treatment, but it should be characterised rather than ignored.

Endocrine disease

Weight gain alone should not trigger an automatic hypothyroidism diagnosis.

Compatible combinations may include:

• Reduced activity

• Exercise intolerance

• Dermatological changes

• Hair loss

• Recurrent skin infection

• High cholesterol

• Appropriate thyroid test abnormalities

Other important senior canine endocrinopathies include diabetes mellitus and hyperadrenocorticism. Testing should be driven by the complete clinical picture.

Lumps and cancer screening

A lump that has been present for years can still change, and a new lump cannot be declared harmless by appearance alone.

Record its dimensions, location and texture. Sampling a small, accessible mass early is generally simpler than investigating it after it has doubled in size.

Cognitive changes

Possible signs include:

• Night-time waking

• Pacing

• Staring into corners

• Becoming trapped behind furniture

• Loss of house training

• Reduced recognition

• New anxiety

• Altered interaction with family members

Pain, sensory loss, urinary disease, endocrine disease and brain disease should be considered before cognitive dysfunction becomes the default explanation.

What Should Be Prioritised in a Senior Cat?

Weight and muscle loss

Weight loss in an older cat is never something I would dismiss as “just ageing.”

Important possibilities include:

• Chronic kidney disease

• Hyperthyroidism

• Diabetes mellitus

• Dental pain

• Gastrointestinal disease

• Pancreatic disease

• Cancer

• Chronic infection

• Reduced nutrient digestion

• Inadequate food access

Recording body weight and muscle condition at every visit is particularly valuable because gradual loss may be difficult to notice at home.

Kidney screening

Early kidney disease may be suggested by changes in:

• Creatinine trend

• SDMA

• Urine concentration

• Urine protein

• Blood pressure

• Kidney size or structure

• Drinking and urination

Individual trends can be more informative than whether one result falls just inside or outside a broad laboratory reference interval. IRIS recommends interpreting creatinine and SDMA alongside urine findings, blood pressure, muscle mass and hydration, with repeat testing when mild abnormalities are found. (IRIS)

Hyperthyroidism

Common signs include:

• Weight loss

• Increased appetite

• Restlessness

• Increased vocalisation

• Vomiting or diarrhoea

• Rapid heart rate

• Increased thirst

• Poor coat quality

• Muscle loss

Not every hyperthyroid cat is ravenously hungry and hyperactive. Some have few obvious signs and are identified through routine blood screening and T4 trends. (AAHA)

Hypertension

Hypertension may cause:

• Sudden blindness

• Dilated pupils

• Retinal bleeding or detachment

• Neurological changes

• Worsening kidney disease

• Heart changes

A cat may appear normal until target-organ damage occurs. This is why measuring blood pressure before obvious signs develop is valuable. (IRIS)

Osteoarthritis

Cats rarely announce arthritis with a dramatic limp.

Look for:

• Reduced jumping

• Using intermediate surfaces to reach furniture

• Poor grooming over the back or hips

• Difficulty entering a high-sided litter tray

• Sleeping in easier-to-reach locations

• Irritability when handled

• Reduced play

• Urinating or defecating beside the tray

These changes are often interpreted as laziness, stubbornness or old age when the cat is actually adapting to pain.

Dental disease

Cats commonly continue eating despite substantial dental pain.

Watch for:

• Chewing on one side

• Dropping food

• Swallowing dry food whole

• Preference for soft food

• Pawing at the mouth

• Reduced grooming

• Bad breath

• Salivation

• Weight loss

Tooth resorption and periodontal disease may not be fully visible during an awake examination and often require anaesthetised assessment with dental radiography. (AAHA)

What Should Be Prioritised in a Senior Horse?

Teeth and ability to eat

Dental assessment is one of the most important components of senior horse care.

Signs of dental disease include:

• Quidding or dropping partially chewed feed

• Long fibres in manure

• Slow eating

• Packing feed into the cheeks

• Bad breath

• Nasal discharge

• Facial swelling

• Weight loss

• Choke

• Difficulty accepting the bit

Older horses may have loose, fractured or missing teeth, advanced periodontal disease and insufficient remaining tooth surface for grinding long-stem forage. At least annual dental assessment is recommended, with shorter intervals for horses with established disease. (University of Minnesota Extension)

Weight and topline

A weight tape used consistently can help identify gradual weight change, but it should be combined with body and muscle condition scoring.

Loss of topline may reflect:

• Reduced exercise

• Inadequate protein or energy

• Dental disease

• Chronic pain

• PPID

• Gastrointestinal disease

• Liver or kidney disease

• Chronic infection

• Cancer

A horse can also be overweight while losing muscle, particularly over the back and hindquarters.

PPID

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, often called equine Cushing’s disease, becomes more common with age.

Possible signs include:

• Delayed or incomplete coat shedding

• Long or curly hair

• Muscle loss

• Abnormal fat distribution

• Recurrent laminitis

• Increased drinking and urination

• Excessive sweating

• Recurrent infections

• Lethargy

• Fertility changes

Age increases suspicion, but an older horse should not be diagnosed from its birthday or coat alone.

Resting ACTH or a TRH stimulation test may be appropriate depending on the clinical signs. Results must be interpreted using the relevant laboratory method, location and time of year. Equivocal results in horses with a low probability of disease may require repeat testing rather than immediately beginning lifelong treatment. (Beva Online Library)

Insulin dysregulation and equine metabolic syndrome

A cresty neck, regional fat deposits, obesity or a history of laminitis should prompt assessment for insulin dysregulation.

Equine metabolic syndrome is not simply another name for PPID, and it is not restricted to old horses. PPID and insulin dysregulation can occur together, particularly in an older horse with laminitis. (Cornell Vet College)

Resting insulin may be useful in some cases, but dynamic testing such as an oral sugar test may be needed when suspicion remains despite an unremarkable resting result.

Mobility, feet and saddle fit

A senior horse’s movement should be assessed for:

• Joint stiffness

• Hoof pain

• Previous laminitis

• Reduced stride length

• Difficulty turning

• Difficulty rising

• Neurological weakness

• Muscle asymmetry

Changes in back muscle and topline can also alter saddle fit. A saddle that was appropriate five years ago may now cause focal pressure and pain. (University of Minnesota Extension)

Eyes, heart and skin

Senior examinations should include assessment for:

• Cataracts

• Recurrent uveitis

• Reduced vision

• Heart murmurs or arrhythmias

• Melanomas in grey horses

• Squamous cell carcinoma on lightly pigmented skin

• Sarcoids and other masses

• Delayed wound healing

A gradually enlarging mass should be measured and photographed rather than relying on memory.

Parasite control

Senior horses should not automatically receive dewormers at fixed short intervals.

AAEP recommends faecal egg counts once or twice a year to classify shedding status, annual faecal egg count reduction testing to check whether the selected dewormer remains effective, and a baseline treatment program with additional targeted treatment for higher shedders. (AAEP)

Why Do Baseline Results Matter?

The value of routine testing is not merely discovering whether each number is inside the reference interval today.

The greater value is seeing whether that animal’s results are changing over time.

For example:

• Creatinine may steadily increase while remaining inside the laboratory range.

• A cat’s T4 may progressively rise while still being labelled “normal.”

• Albumin may slowly decline.

• Body weight may fall by small amounts at every visit.

• Blood pressure may move upward over several assessments.

• A horse’s ACTH may require comparison using the correct seasonal range.

IRIS specifically notes that an animal’s individual normal creatinine concentration and longitudinal trends can help detect declining kidney function earlier than a single pass-or-fail interpretation of the reference interval. (IRIS)

A baseline does not mean panicking over every small fluctuation. Hydration, stress, feeding, medication, muscle mass and laboratory variation can all influence results.

Unexpected abnormalities may need to be repeated before they are labelled disease.

What Can Normal Bloodwork Miss?

Normal blood and urine results are reassuring, but they do not prove that every body system is healthy.

Routine screening may not detect:

• Osteoarthritis

• Dental pain

• Early heart disease

• Many localised cancers

• Early neurological disease

• Vision or hearing loss

• Tendon or ligament pain

• Behavioural disease

• Early gastrointestinal disease

• Some forms of endocrine disease

This is why bloodwork should support the history and physical examination rather than replace them.

A beautifully normal chemistry panel is of limited comfort if the cat has lost 15% of its body weight or the horse is quidding every mouthful of hay.

Which Changes Should Not Be Dismissed as Old Age?

Slowing down

Possible explanations include pain, arthritis, anaemia, heart disease, respiratory disease, neurological weakness, endocrine disease and muscle loss.

Drinking or urinating more

Possible causes include kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism in cats, hyperadrenocorticism in dogs, PPID in horses, liver disease, medication effects and urinary tract disease.

Weight loss

Possible causes include dental disease, inadequate intake, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, gastrointestinal disease, cancer, parasites, chronic infection and PPID.

Weight gain

Possible explanations include reduced activity, excessive calories, fluid retention and endocrine disease.

Weight gain alone does not prove hypothyroidism in a dog.

House-soiling or altered elimination

Possible causes include arthritis, urinary disease, kidney disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal disease, cognitive dysfunction, litter-tray difficulty and reduced mobility.

Behavioural change

Possible explanations include pain, sensory loss, anxiety, cognitive dysfunction, hypertension, medication effects, endocrine disease and neurological disease.

The phrase “they’re just old” should begin the investigation, not end it.

How Worried Should You Be?

Lower concern

The animal is:

• Bright and comfortable

• Eating and drinking normally

• Maintaining weight

• Moving normally for its established condition

• Passing normal urine and faeces

• Showing no new behavioural changes

• Stable on current treatment

Schedule the next planned senior examination and continue home monitoring.

Moderate concern

Arrange a veterinary appointment within the next one to two weeks when you notice:

• Mild but persistent weight change

• Gradual loss of muscle

• New stiffness

• Reduced jumping or stair use

• Increased drinking

• Softer manure or altered stools

• New bad breath

• Quidding

• A small new lump

• Night-time restlessness

• Mild behaviour change

Earlier assessment is appropriate if the signs are progressing.

High concern

Contact your veterinarian the same day or within 24 hours for:

• Significant appetite reduction

• Rapid weight loss

• Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea

• Recurrent colic

• Markedly increased thirst or urination

• New coughing or exercise intolerance

• Fainting

• Persistent lameness

• Rapidly enlarging masses

• New vision changes

• Significant weakness

• Reduced urine production

• A horse repeatedly choking or unable to chew normally

Critical concern

Seek emergency veterinary care immediately for:

• Difficulty breathing

• Blue, grey, very pale or dark red gums

• Collapse

• Repeated seizures

• Sudden inability to stand

• Severe neurological incoordination

• Severe or escalating colic

• Inability to urinate

• Repeated unproductive retching with abdominal distension

• Profuse bleeding

• Sudden blindness

• Non-weight-bearing lameness

• Rapid deterioration over several hours

A routine wellness appointment is not the appropriate destination for an unstable animal. Call ahead and seek emergency care.

What Should You Do Before a Senior Wellness Visit?

Record recent changes

For at least one week before the appointment, note:

• Appetite

• Water intake

• Urination

• Faeces or manure

• Vomiting

• Coughing

• Sleep

• Mobility

• Behaviour

• Exercise tolerance

• Pain episodes

Bring a complete medication list

Include:

• Prescription medications

• Parasite preventives

• Supplements

• Joint products

• Herbal products

• Topical treatments

• Injections

• Products administered only occasionally

Write down the dose and frequency rather than reporting that the animal receives “one of the little white tablets.”

Take videos

Useful videos may include:

• A dog rising and using stairs

• A cat jumping or entering the litter tray

• A horse walking, turning and backing

• Coughing episodes

• Tremors

• Abnormal eating

• Night-time pacing

• Episodes of weakness

Do not provoke a dangerous episode for the sake of filming it.

Bring previous results

Laboratory trends are much easier to interpret when previous bloodwork, urine results, body weights, endocrine tests and imaging reports are available.

Ask for a prioritised plan

When finances are limited, ask the veterinarian to separate recommendations into:

1. Tests needed today

2. Tests that should be completed soon

3. Optional tests that become useful if something changes

A staged plan is far better than skipping the entire examination because the ideal complete package feels unaffordable.

Common Senior-Care Mistakes

Booking “vaccines only”

A vaccination appointment without a proper examination can miss dental pain, weight loss, murmurs, arthritis, masses and other important changes.

Assuming vaccines are no longer needed

Age alone is not a reason to abandon core disease protection. The plan should be adjusted to health, lifestyle, geography and previous reactions.

Treating bloodwork as a complete health certificate

Normal blood results do not exclude arthritis, dental disease, many cancers or early neurological problems.

Diagnosing endocrine disease from appearance alone

An overweight dog is not automatically hypothyroid. A hairy horse is not automatically affected by PPID. An irritable senior cat is not automatically hyperthyroid.

Ignoring urine testing

Bloodwork and urinalysis provide different information. Early kidney, urinary and metabolic changes may be missed when urine is never examined.

Ignoring subtle dental signs

Waiting until an animal completely stops eating usually means waiting far too long.

Watching a lump without measuring it

A mass cannot be reliably monitored by memory. Measure, photograph and sample it when appropriate.

Waiting for the annual date

New symptoms should be assessed when they appear. The wellness calendar is not a permission slip to ignore change for another six months.

How Can You Support Healthy Ageing at Home?

Maintain muscle, not just body weight

Use controlled, appropriate exercise to preserve strength and mobility.

For dogs and cats, this may include shorter frequent walks, gentle play, food puzzles and environmental climbing options adapted to their ability.

For horses, it may include light ridden work, in-hand walking, turnout and stretching when medically appropriate. (University of Minnesota Extension)

Adapt the environment

Helpful changes may include:

• Non-slip flooring

• Ramps or steps

• Supportive bedding

• Low-entry litter trays

• Food and water within easy reach

• Better lighting

• Shelter from weather

• Safe turnout

• Reassessment of saddle fit

• Easier access to forage and water

Maintain dental and hoof care

Dental pain, overgrown hooves and poor balance can rapidly reduce an older animal’s mobility, nutrition and confidence.

Continue appropriate parasite prevention and vaccination

Use a risk-based plan rather than either blindly repeating everything or abandoning prevention because the animal is old.

Track trends

Record:

• Weight

• Body condition

• Muscle condition

• Water intake

• Appetite

• Mobility

• Medication

• Laboratory results

• Blood pressure

• Dental findings

• Endocrine results

Small changes become much easier to recognise when they are written down.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should a senior dog or cat see the vet?

Most healthy senior dogs and cats should be examined approximately every six months. Animals with chronic disease or active treatment may require more frequent appointments. (AAHA)

How often should a senior horse have a wellness examination?

A healthy senior horse should generally receive a physical and dental examination every six to twelve months. Horses with PPID, laminitis, dental disease, weight loss or chronic lameness may need more frequent monitoring. (University of Minnesota Extension)

Does a healthy-looking senior animal really need bloodwork?

Often, yes. Bloodwork and urinalysis can identify or establish baselines for changes that are not yet obvious at home. However, the testing plan should be individualised, and one mildly abnormal result may require confirmation rather than immediate treatment. (AAHA)

Should every older horse be tested for PPID each year?

Not necessarily. Age increases the risk, but testing should be based on the horse’s signs, history and individual risk. Results must be interpreted using appropriate seasonal and laboratory-specific ranges, and equivocal results may require repeat or dynamic testing. (Beva Online Library)

Do old dogs, cats and horses still need vaccines?

Usually, yes, although the exact vaccines and intervals should be individualised. Healthy senior dogs generally continue core protocols, senior cats require a health and exposure risk assessment, and equine vaccines should be selected according to geography, lifestyle and disease risk. (AAHA)

Can normal bloodwork rule out cancer or arthritis?

No. Many localised cancers, dental conditions and musculoskeletal diseases do not produce obvious routine blood abnormalities. History, physical examination, imaging and tissue sampling may still be required.

Final Thoughts

Senior wellness care is not about searching for problems simply because an animal has reached a particular age.

It is about recognising manageable problems while they are still manageable.

Vaccinations remain important, but an older animal’s appointment should also assess weight, muscle, teeth, mobility, pain, behaviour, heart, lungs, eyes, skin and the laboratory trends most relevant to that individual.

Do not wait until a dog collapses, a cat stops eating or a horse can no longer chew hay. The subtle changes that appear months earlier are often the most valuable clues.

Old age is not a diagnosis. It is a reason to look more carefully.

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Use ASK A VET™ to organise examination dates, weights, blood and urine results, medication records, mobility videos and changes noticed at home. If you are uncertain whether a new senior-animal symptom can wait for a routine visit, tailored veterinary support can help you decide how urgently direct examination is needed.