What Health Screening for Your Older Pet Looks Like

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Health screening for senior pets helps us detect early changes and support long-term comfort and wellbeing. These tests allow us to build a clear picture of your pet’s overall health and tailor care to their individual needs.

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Screening helps us diagnose common age-related conditions such as kidney disease, high blood pressure, and hyperthyroidism — which is particularly common in older cats. A consultation is also important, as it enables us to assess for conditions such as arthritis and cognitive decline (dementia).

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Detecting these conditions early can help extend your pet’s lifespan and greatly improve their quality of life. The best approach is to screen before problems develop or before your pet becomes unwell. Preventative management is always far more effective than waiting until treatment is needed.

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For example, transitioning cats with kidney disease onto a prescription renal diet before they show symptoms is extremely beneficial. Once they feel unwell, this change can be very challenging due to nausea and food aversions. Renal diets alone have been shown to increase lifespan by an average of 2–3 years.

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A typical senior health screen may include:

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• Comprehensive blood testing

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• Urine screening

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• Blood pressure measurement

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• Ultrasound imaging

 

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How to Spot Arthritis, Kidney Disease & Dementia

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As pets age, changes to their health often happen gradually and quietly. Many conditions can be developing long before obvious signs appear. Regular health screening helps us detect problems early and support your pet’s comfort and quality of life for as long as possible.

 

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Arthritis (Joint Pain)

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Look out for:

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• Stiffness, especially after rest or in cold weather
   

• Slower movement or reluctance to jump, climb stairs, or go for walks
   

• Changes in posture or gait
   

• Irritability or reduced tolerance of handling
   

• Sleeping more than usual

 

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Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

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Early signs can be very subtle, including:

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• Increased thirst or urination
   

• Weight loss despite a normal appetite
   

• Reduced appetite or fussiness with food
   

• Dull coat or poor coat condition
   

• Occasional vomiting or nausea
   

Blood tests, blood pressure measurements and urine tests are often the only way to detect CKD early.

 

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Cognitive Dysfunction (Pet Dementia)

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You may notice:

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• Disorientation or seeming “lost” in familiar places
   

• Changes in sleep patterns (restless at night)
   

• Reduced interaction or altered behaviour
   

• Staring into space or getting stuck behind furniture
   

• Forgetting house training or litter tray habits

 

 

Why Health Screening Matters

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For senior pets, we often recommend routine blood and/or urine testing as part of proactive, preventative care. These tests can:

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• Detect age-related conditions early
   

• Help guide treatment and management decisions
   

• Establish a healthy baseline for future comparisons

 

Would you like to book a health screen for your pet? If so, please book online via the link, or contact us and we’ll be happy to arrange this for you.

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Book Online | The Ealing Vet

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If you have any concerns about changes you’ve noticed at home, please speak to a member of the team — even small changes can be important.

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