Senior dogs and cats do best with a checkup about every six months, with blood work and a urine test to catch kidney, liver and thyroid changes before they show. Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Indian Land, a vet clinic in Indian Land, South Carolina, sets a baseline at your pet's first senior visit and compares every recheck against it.
Call (803) 232-9817 or book online.
When is a dog or cat considered a senior?
There is no single birthday. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) senior care guidelines treat a dog as senior in roughly the last quarter of its expected lifespan, so a giant breed may get there at 6 or 7 and a small terrier not until 9 or 10. Cats are usually counted as senior from around 10. For mixed breeds and rescues with unknown birthdays, the Petfolk Indian Land vet estimates age from the teeth, eyes and body condition.
How many older pets does Petfolk Indian Land see?
Older pets are a large share of the patients at Petfolk Indian Land. Since the clinic opened (May 8 to October 19, 2026):
About 2 in 5 pets seen in Indian Land (40%) were 7 or older, and 1 in 5 (20%) were 10 or older.
More than 1 in 5 Indian Land sick visits (22%) were for pets over 10.
Across Petfolk's Charlotte-area clinics, blood work is part of about 1 in 4 wellness visits for dogs 7 and older (26%) and about 1 in 3 for cats 7 and older (32%) (October 2025 to September 2026).
What happens at the first senior visit?
The first senior visit at Petfolk Indian Land gives the vet numbers to compare against later. Expect:
A full physical exam: weight, muscle along the spine and back legs, joints, heart and lungs, eyes and teeth.
Senior blood work and a urine test: kidney and liver function, blood sugar, thyroid levels in cats, and red and white blood cells. The clinic has an in-house lab, so some results come back during the visit. The blood work and lab testing page explains each panel.
A blood pressure check where it makes sense, especially for older cats.
A pain and mobility check. Many older dogs and cats have arthritis that pet parents read as "just slowing down".
Why do senior pets need a checkup every six months?
Older pets hide pain and illness well, and kidney values, weight and lumps can change a lot in half a year. For most seniors, the AAHA guidelines support a checkup about every six months. Each recheck at Petfolk Indian Land compares today's numbers with the baseline, so a slow drift shows up before your pet looks sick. Dental disease is common in older pets too; if the vet sees tartar, red gums or loose teeth, they'll explain how a cleaning under anesthesia works and how an older pet is checked first.
What should I track at home between visits?
Keep a short list on your phone and bring it to Petfolk Indian Land:
Drinking more water or peeing more, including accidents.
Weight change you notice when you pet them, or a looser collar.
New lumps, with the date and rough size of each.
Changes in sleep, pacing at night or confusion in familiar rooms.
Trouble with stairs, getting into the car or using a high-sided litter box.
A side-view photo of your pet every few months, in the same spot, makes slow weight or muscle loss easy to see.
How does Petfolk Indian Land help a nervous older pet?
Many seniors find car rides and new rooms harder than they used to. The Petfolk Indian Land team uses Gentle Handling, lets pets settle before the exam and keeps you with your pet where possible. Bring their usual treats, tell the team about sore spots, and call ahead if your pet needs help getting in from the car.
How does care change in a pet's last years?
As pets near the end of life, visits shift toward comfort: pain relief, easier footing at home, softer food and help judging quality of life. The euthanasia page explains how the team helps families with that decision.
Which signs in an older pet need a 24-hour hospital?
Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital if your senior pet collapses, has trouble breathing, has a swollen belly or cannot stand.
Where do older pets see a vet near Sun City Carolina Lakes?
Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Indian Land is a vet in Indian Land at 1150 Sherbrook Ave, Ste B109, Indian Land, SC 29707, and sees pets from Sun City Carolina Lakes and nearby neighborhoods. Call (803) 232-9817 or book online.
Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Indian Land, or see all veterinary services in Indian Land.
Caring for an older dog or cat
Off Charlotte Highway, north of the Indian Land schools