Is Your Pet “Just Slowing Down”… or Trying to Tell You Something?
As our pets get older, little changes can creep in so gradually that they’re easy to miss.
Maybe they’re sleeping more.
Not jumping onto the sofa quite as often.
Taking a little longer on walks.
Becoming fussier with food.
Or perhaps they just don’t seem quite themselves anymore.
It’s common to put these changes down to “just old age” – but in many cases, they can actually be early signs of pain, arthritis, dental disease, kidney changes, or other age-related health conditions.
At Live Well Vets, we believe growing older shouldn’t mean suffering in silence. That’s why we’re offering a complimentary Senior Nurse Health Check, tailored to your pet.
Why Senior Health Checks Matter
Pets are incredibly good at hiding discomfort. In the wild, showing weakness could make an animal vulnerable – and even our pampered pets still carry those instincts today.
That means signs of illness or pain are often subtle at first.
In older pets, we commonly see:
- Arthritis and joint pain
- Dental disease
- Kidney disease
- Weight changes
- Reduced mobility
- Cognitive changes
- Increased thirst or urination
- Hearing or vision changes
- Muscle loss
- Heart disease
The earlier we spot these changes, the more we can often do to help maintain comfort, mobility, and quality of life.
What Happens During the Complimentary Senior Nurse Check?
Our senior nurse clinics are designed to be relaxed, friendly, and tailored specifically to your pet.
During the appointment, one of our experienced veterinary nurses will carry out a gentle head-to-tail assessment, including:
- Weight and body condition check
- Mobility and movement assessment
- Arthritis and pain scoring
- Teeth and gum check
- Ear and eye check
- Coat and skin assessment
- Discussion around appetite, thirst, toileting, sleep, behaviour, and activity levels
- Discussion about any changes you may have noticed at home
Sometimes owners mention things like:
“They’ve slowed down a bit.”
“They don’t do stairs anymore.”
“They seem grumpier lately.”
“They’re sleeping much more.”
These changes can occasionally indicate underlying discomfort rather than simply ageing.
A Tailored Plan for Your Pet
Every pet ages differently.
Following the check, the nurse will discuss a personalised plan that may include:
- Monitoring changes over time
- Weight management support
- Joint supplements or mobility advice
- Dental recommendations
- Further veterinary assessment if needed
- Blood or urine testing to assess organ function
Where appropriate, we may recommend blood and urine tests to help screen for age-related conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, or inflammation.
The good news is we can run most tests in-house at Live Well Vets, which means results are often available the very same day.
Sometimes the results are completely normal – and that reassurance is valuable too. Regular checks help us build a clearer picture of what’s normal for your pet as they age.
“It’s Just Old Age”… or Is It?
One of the biggest misconceptions we see is that slowing down is simply part of ageing.
While ageing itself is normal, ongoing pain isn’t.
Many older pets with arthritis or chronic pain don’t cry out – instead they quietly adapt:
- avoiding stairs
- hesitating before jumping
- walking less
- sleeping more
- becoming withdrawn
- seeming stiff after rest
Once treated, owners are often surprised at how much brighter and happier their pet becomes again.
You can read more about arthritis and mobility changes here:
When Is a Pet Considered “Senior”?
This varies depending on breed and size, but generally:
- Cats: around 7 years+
- Small dogs: around 8 years+
- Larger dogs: around 6 years+
Larger breeds often age faster than smaller breeds.
If you’re unsure whether your pet would benefit from a senior check, our team will happily advise.
Frequently asked questions
Are the senior nurse checks really complimentary?
Yes ☺️ Our Senior Nurse Health Checks are completely complimentary and designed to help identify early changes that may affect your pet’s comfort and wellbeing.
What happens if the nurse finds something concerning?
The nurse will discuss everything with you clearly and compassionately. In some cases, we may recommend a follow-up appointment with one of our vets or further testing such as blood or urine analysis.
Why might blood or urine tests be recommended?
As pets age, conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, and inflammation can develop gradually with very subtle signs. Blood and urine tests help us identify these changes early.
Can you do the tests at the practice?
Yes – we run many of our blood and urine tests in-house at Live Well Vets, meaning we can often provide results on the same day.
My pet is slowing down - is that normal?
Not always. While some changes occur with age, slowing down can also indicate pain, arthritis, dental disease, or underlying illness. Many pets improve significantly once pain or medical issues are addressed.
What is a pain score for pets?
A pain score is a structured way for our team to assess signs of discomfort in pets. We look at mobility, posture, behaviour, movement, interaction, and lifestyle changes to help identify possible pain that pets may otherwise hide.
How often should senior pets be checked?
Many senior pets benefit from health checks every 6 months, as pets age much faster than humans and changes can develop relatively quickly.
How do I book a Senior Nurse Health Check?
You can contact the team at Live Well Vets by phone, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or through our website to arrange your pet’s complimentary check.
Worried About Your Senior Pet?
Book in with us for a complimentary Senior Nurse Health Check, tailored to your pet. We are always here to attend to any of your worries, and help ensure your pet lives a healthy and happy life.
