Senior Pet Care in Lake Mary, FL, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lake Mary is a veterinarian in Lake Mary, FL, that cares for senior dogs and cats, usually those 7 years and older. Older pets do best with a checkup every 6 months, because kidney, thyroid, joint and dental changes can move quickly at this age.

The goal is simple: more good days. Small changes caught early are easier on your pet and often on your budget.

Call (689) 400-8901 or book a senior checkup online.

When is my dog or cat considered a senior?

Most vets count cats and small to medium dogs as seniors from about 7 years old. Large and giant breeds age faster and may reach that stage at 5 or 6. Age is only a guide, though. The Petfolk Lake Mary vet looks at how your pet moves, eats and acts, not just the birthday.

What does a senior checkup add?

A senior visit at Petfolk Lake Mary covers everything in a regular wellness exam, plus a closer look at the changes that come with age:

• Weight trend: slow loss in an older cat can be an early sign of kidney or thyroid disease.

• Joints and muscle: stiffness, trouble on stairs, or shrinking muscle over the back legs.

• Teeth: painful teeth are common in older pets and often hidden.

• Lab work: blood and urine tests to check kidneys, liver, blood sugar and thyroid.

• Eyes, heart and lungs: new murmurs, cloudy eyes or a cough.

• Thinking and sleep: pacing at night, confusion or new accidents in the house.

Lab work matters more as pets age. Across Petfolk, senior cats are about twice as likely as younger adult cats to get blood work at a wellness visit, 34% versus 18% (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026).

How can I keep my senior pet comfortable at home?

Most of the help happens between visits. Ideas the Petfolk Lake Mary team often suggests:

1. Put rugs or runners on slick tile floors so older dogs don't slip.

2. Add a low step or ramp to the bed or couch.

3. Keep litter boxes low-sided and on the floor your cat lives on.

4. Split meals into smaller portions if appetite drops.

5. Walk shorter and more often. Flat, shaded spots like Margaret Wesley Park by West Crystal Lake are easier on old joints than long loops.

Florida heat is harder on older pets. Walk before the sun is high, carry water, and watch for heavy panting or a pet who lies down and won't get up.

They understood my trepidation for any surgeries on my 13 year old boxer and didn't try to up sell me anything- just gave us the best care for my old girl.

Jennifer L., Google review

Gentle handling for stiff joints

Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic. For a senior pet, that can mean examining an arthritic dog on a padded floor mat, skipping the cold metal table, and taking breaks during blood draws.

Cost and planning

A wellness exam at Petfolk Lake Mary starts at $99. Senior lab panels and x-rays are priced separately. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. PetfolkCare, which starts at $199 a year, includes wellness exams for members.

Signs that need a call, or more

Call Petfolk Lake Mary for a senior pet who stops eating, drinks far more than usual, loses weight, or starts falling. Go straight to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) in Winter Park for collapse, breathing trouble or a seizure.

When the time comes to talk about quality of life, the team will walk you through it honestly. See pet euthanasia in Lake Mary.

Visit us

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lake Mary is at 222 Wheelhouse Ln, #1110, Lake Mary, FL 32746, with free on-site parking. Call (689) 400-8901. For lab details, see blood work and lab testing in Lake Mary.

Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lake Mary, or see all veterinary services in Lake Mary.