Most cats and small dogs are seniors from about age 7 to 10, and large breeds sooner; from then on, many vets suggest a checkup every six months with blood and urine screening, because kidney, thyroid, dental and joint problems often develop quietly. Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Concord is a vet clinic in Concord, North Carolina, that sees older dogs and cats for checkups, screening tests and comfort care.
Gray muzzles and slower walks are what most families notice first. Senior care is about catching the changes you can't see. Call (980) 360-2922 or book online.
What does a senior checkup at Petfolk Concord include?
A senior checkup at Petfolk Concord covers six areas, and the vet adds tests your pet's age and health call for.
Weight and muscle. Losing muscle along the spine and back legs can be an early sign of arthritis, kidney disease or thyroid problems.
Blood and urine screening. Kidney values, liver enzymes, blood sugar and, in cats, thyroid levels. The blood work page explains each test.
Blood pressure, especially in cats with kidney or thyroid disease.
Mouth. Dental pain is common in older pets and often hidden; see the dental care page.
Joints and mobility. How your pet gets up, climbs stairs and jumps.
Behavior. Night pacing, confusion or new accidents can point to cognitive changes.
The American Animal Hospital Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners both publish senior care guidelines that set out these checks. Gentle Handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic, which matters for sore joints and nervous older cats.
Gray muzzles fill the Concord schedule
From October 2025 to September 2026, about 3 in 10 pets seen at Petfolk Concord (29%) were 7 or older, and about 1 in 7 (15%) were 10 or older. Nearly 1 in 5 sick visits there (18%) were for pets 10 or older.
My first visit at petfolk today and Ms Mookie my 17 year old Morkie was very calm. Tracey P., Google review
Do older pets need blood work every year?
Yes, most vets recommend it at least yearly for pets 7 and older, because blood work finds kidney, liver and thyroid changes before signs show. At Petfolk Concord, wellness visits for dogs 7 and older were nearly three times as likely to include blood work as those for younger adult dogs (25% vs 9%, October 2025 to September 2026). You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.
Ticks, heat and stiff mornings
Each season in Concord brings its own job for a senior pet's family.
Spring: ticks. Adult lone star ticks and their nymphs are abundant in spring and summer and feed on dogs (NC State Extension). Thinning coats and lumps make a tick easy to miss, so check after yard time.
Summer: heat. Heart or airway disease, extra weight and thinning muscle make it harder to cool down. Walk in the coolest part of the day, and give older cats water in several spots.
Fall: stiff mornings. Arthritic pets often look stiffer as mornings cool, so the fall checkup is a good time to review medicines.
Winter: comfort indoors. Rugs on slick floors, raised bowls for dogs with neck pain, a low-sided litter box, trimmed nails and steady weight.
When should my senior pet come in sooner?
Book a visit at Petfolk Concord between checkups if you see more drinking or urinating, weight loss, a new lump, a cough, appetite changes, or a pet that hides or stops greeting you. A weekly note on your phone (weight, appetite, energy, any new lumps with size and location) gives the vet a clear picture.
Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital if your older pet collapses, can't stand, has trouble breathing, or has a swollen belly with restlessness. Petfolk Concord is open 8 AM to 6 PM, seven days a week, and doesn't provide overnight care.
Senior checkups in Concord, every six months
Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Concord is at 2425 Herrons Nest Pl NW, Suite 100, Concord, NC 28027, and senior pets from Highland Creek or anywhere nearby are welcome. Call (980) 360-2922 or book online.
Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Concord, or see all veterinary services in Concord.
Caring for an older dog or cat
Senior checkups on Herrons Nest Pl NW