4 Ways Regular Health Checks Can Help Your Senior Pet Thrive

Admin Team

As your beloved dog or cat enters their senior years, their health needs can begin to change. Just like humans, aging pets are more prone to certain illnesses and conditions that can develop gradually and often go unnoticed without proper veterinary care.


The good news? With regular senior pet health checks, you can help your furry friend enjoy a longer, happier, and more comfortable life.


In this guide, we’ll explore four key ways regular veterinary visits, including blood tests, dental care, and monitoring for lumps, bumps, and skin changes, can support your pet’s wellbeing as they age.


1. The importance of senior pet health checks

Pets are generally considered senior from around 7 years of age (depending on their breed and size). As they age, they become more susceptible to chronic conditions such as arthritis, kidney disease, diabetes, and liver issues.


That’s why we recommend senior dogs and cats have a health check every 6 months.


During a senior health exam, we can:

  • Detect early signs of chronic disease
  • Monitor subtle weight or behavioural changes
  • Adjust their diet, exercise, and medication as needed


These check-ups typically include a full physical exam, weight tracking, and a discussion about any changes you’ve noticed at home.


2. Regular blood tests for early detection

Many illnesses in aging pets don’t show symptoms right away. Routine blood tests are crucial in detecting internal issues before they become serious or harder to manage.


Blood work helps monitor:

  • Kidney and liver function
  • Thyroid hormone levels
  • Blood sugar (glucose)
  • Electrolyte balance
  • Signs of infection or inflammation


Establishing a baseline for your pet’s blood values also allows us to track changes over time, making early diagnosis and treatment more effective.


3. Senior pet dental care

Dental disease is one of the most common (and most overlooked) health problems in older pets. Gum infections and tooth decay can cause serious pain and may even lead to heart, kidney, or liver complications if bacteria spread through the bloodstream.


Watch for signs like:

  • Bad breath
  • Drooling or difficulty chewing
  • Red gums or visible tartar
  • Pawing at the mouth


Regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings help maintain your pet’s overall health and prevent unnecessary discomfort.


4. Monitoring lumps, bumps, and skin changes

As pets age, they often develop lumps or skin growths. While some are harmless (like lipomas), others can be more serious, such as cysts or even tumours.


We recommend:

  • Regularly checking your pet for new lumps or changes
  • Having any new growths examined by your vet promptly
  • Considering a fine needle aspirate or biopsy if advised

Early detection is key to peace of mind and better treatment outcomes.


Helping your pet age gracefully

Your pet has given you unconditional love for years. As they get older, they depend on you to help them stay comfortable and healthy. By staying on top of senior pet wellness checks, routine blood tests, dental care, and monitoring physical changes, you’re giving them the best chance at a happy, pain-free life.



If your dog or cat is approaching their senior years, our compassionate team is here to support you every step of the way.

Book a senior pet check-up today and let’s work together to help your pet live their very best life, long into their golden years.

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Important YVV Update

By Admin Team • February 17, 2026
Sadly, we have had some staff changes recently at Yass Valley Veterinary. After 3 years, Dr Issy Card has taken a small animal position in Canberra. Our recently married Dr Anne Cusack is relocating to Wagga for her husband’s work, and Dr Natalie Flew is also leaving us to work in an emergency afterhours clinic in Canberra with more suitable hours for her new family. We will all miss these three amiable, dedicated and competent veterinarians and wish them well in their future pursuits. Dr Stuart Williams, after almost 33 years at Yass Valley Veterinary (15 years as a partner with Dr Peter Gibbs and 15 years as sole principal), is resigning from his full-time position at the end of February. He is looking forward to having a break away from afterhours on call and managing a large staff across two hospitals. Working as a volunteer veterinarian in Australia and overseas, travelling with his wife Cath and spending some much needed time at home and in the garden, is on the agenda for Stuart in the short term. Dr Tamara Butler, who has been with the business for 17 years, will be promoted to the Lead Vet role when Stuart resigns. Dr Nicole McKenzie will take on the Tamara’s Veterinary Manager role, while Ms Carrie Luckie will retain the Practice Manager role. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and care that each of our departing veterinarians has given to our clients and patients, and their departures will mean a temporary change to our service availability. Be assured that we are actively and enthusiastically recruiting veterinarians to join our team. We’d like to introduce Dr Josh Tannen, a small animal veterinarian & surgeon, who will be with us until April. This experienced and easy-going locum will be very welcome by the team. However, in the short term, we will be operating with a smaller team, so there may be occasions where we are unable to provide the full range of services that are currently provided. What does this mean for you? • At times, we may need to rotate Saturday clinic closures. • There will be evenings or weekends when we do not have an after-hours veterinarian available. We will always do our best to keep you informed. Any changes to opening hours or services will be communicated via our social media pages and through notifications on the Yass Vet App. As always, if you require after-hours assistance when a veterinarian is not available, please call us on 6226 4444. Your call will be answered by a team of qualified nurses who will triage your situation and direct you to the closest appropriate emergency hospital if needed. We truly appreciate your understanding, patience, and ongoing support during this period of transition. Our commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care for your animals remains at the heart of everything we do.