Senior pet care means a checkup about every six months, with blood and urine tests, once a dog is about 7 (sooner for large breeds) or a cat is about 10. Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Fort Mill is a vet clinic in Fort Mill, South Carolina, that sees older dogs and cats for senior checkups and for the new problems that come with age.
Age is not a disease, but kidney disease, arthritis, dental disease, thyroid changes, diabetes and heart disease all become more common, and many start quietly.
Call (803) 590-8031 or book online.
How many Fort Mill pets are seniors?
Many of them. At Petfolk Fort Mill, more than a third of the pets seen (38%) were 7 or older, and about 1 in 5 (21%) were 10 or older (October 2025 to October 2026). About 1 in 4 Fort Mill sick visits (23%) were for pets over 10 in the same window, which is why catching changes early matters.
What should I track at home before a senior visit?
Keep notes for two weeks before your pet's visit to Petfolk Fort Mill. Jot down:
Water. Is the bowl emptying faster?
Litter box or yard habits. More urine, accidents or straining.
Appetite and weight. Eating less or more, or losing muscle along the back.
Mobility. Slow on stairs, hesitating at the car, stiff after naps.
Sleep and behavior. Pacing at night, confusion, new clinginess or irritability.
Lumps. The date you first noticed each one.
A short phone video of your dog on the stairs, or your cat jumping, often says more than a description.
What happens at a senior checkup at Petfolk Fort Mill?
A senior checkup at Petfolk Fort Mill runs in four steps:
Conversation. The vet goes through your notes and history. Many changes put down to "just getting old," like sleeping more or no longer jumping up, turn out to be pain that can be treated.
Head-to-tail exam. The vet weighs your pet, scores body and muscle condition, listens to the heart and lungs, checks the eyes and mouth, feels the belly and moves each joint. Lumps get measured so you can tell later whether they change.
Screening tests. A blood panel and a urinalysis check kidney and liver function, blood sugar, blood cells and, in cats, thyroid levels. Our blood work and lab testing page explains each panel.
Comfort plan. You leave with a plan and an estimate before any treatment.
Gentle Handling matters more with seniors: stiff joints and anxious minds do better with a slower pace, non-slip mats and treats.
Lucy is aging and it is wonderful to have the TLC and kindness and support of Petfolk when she needs a checkup or thyroid treatment. Susan B., Google review
How often do older Fort Mill pets get blood work?
At Petfolk Fort Mill, blood work was part of about 1 in 5 wellness visits for dogs 7 and older (20%) and more than 1 in 3 for cats 7 and older (36%) (October 2025 to October 2026). Across Petfolk's Charlotte-area clinics, the figures were 26% for older dogs and 32% for older cats (October 2025 to September 2026). The vet suggests tests based on your pet's age, health and last results.
What goes into a comfort plan for an older pet?
Depending on what the Petfolk Fort Mill vet finds, a senior plan may include:
Pain control for arthritis, with medicine, weight management and gentle daily exercise
Diet changes for kidney health, weight or digestion
Dental work, because a sore mouth affects eating and mood; the dental care page explains a cleaning
Home changes, such as rugs on slick floors, a ramp for the car or couch, and a low-sided litter box
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) publishes senior care guidelines that many vets use to shape these plans.
How often should a senior pet see the vet?
Many vets suggest about every six months for senior pets, since a lot can change in half a year at this age. Book the next Petfolk Fort Mill visit before you leave, and pair it with a refill pickup to save a trip.
When does an older pet need a 24-hour hospital?
Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital for sudden collapse, labored breathing at rest, a swollen belly, or not being able to stand. Petfolk Fort Mill has no overnight care.
Where can I book a senior checkup in Fort Mill?
Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Fort Mill is at 1642 SC-160, Suite 104, Fort Mill, SC 29708. A vet in Fort Mill who sees your senior pet every six months learns what normal looks like for that pet. Call (803) 590-8031 or book online.
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Caring for an older dog or cat
Senior checkups on SC-160