Senior Pet Care in Lakewood, Dallas, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lakewood is a vet in Lakewood, East Dallas, that cares for older dogs and cats, usually from about age 7. Senior care means checkups every six months, blood and urine tests that catch problems early, and a plan to keep your pet moving and comfortable.

Older pets change quietly. A dog who takes the stairs slower, or a cat who drinks more water, is often telling you something worth checking.

Call (682) 339-7822 or book online. Walk-ins are welcome, and the clinic is open weekends.

When is my dog or cat considered a senior?

Most cats and small dogs are seniors from about 7 years old. Large and giant breed dogs age faster and may need senior care from 5 or 6. The vet looks at your pet's breed, size and health, not only the birthday.

What does a senior visit at Petfolk Lakewood check?

A senior exam goes deeper than a regular checkup:

1. Weight and muscle. Slow weight loss is one of the first signs of illness in older cats.

2. Mouth. Sore teeth make older pets eat less and can hide behind "he's just slowing down."

3. Joints. The vet watches your pet walk and gently checks hips, knees and the back.

4. Heart and lungs. New murmurs and coughs get a closer listen.

5. Lumps. New or growing ones are measured, and some are tested.

6. Blood and urine tests. These look at kidneys, liver, thyroid and blood sugar.

Lab results come from the clinic's in-house lab, so many answers arrive during the visit. Across Petfolk, senior cats are about twice as likely to get blood work at a wellness visit as younger adult cats, 34% versus 18% (Petfolk data, Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026). See pet blood work in Lakewood.

Our vet and techs are great helping our senior dog. Explain everything and transparent with pricing.

Andrew, Google review

Changes to watch at home

Write down anything new and bring the list:

• Drinking or peeing more than usual

• Eating less, or dropping food while chewing

• Stiffness after naps, or trouble jumping onto the couch

• Accidents in the house or outside the litter box

• Pacing at night, staring at walls or seeming lost

• A cough, faster breathing at rest or tiring quickly on walks

How can I keep my older pet comfortable in Dallas?

East Dallas summers are hard on older dogs. Walk early in the morning, keep walks short when it's hot, and bring water to the White Rock Lake trails. Older, flat-faced and overweight dogs overheat fastest.

At home, rugs on slick floors and a ramp to the bed or couch help stiff joints. For cats, a low-sided litter box and food and water on each floor make a real difference. The vet can talk through pain relief for arthritis and help you decide if a prescription diet would help kidneys or weight.

Fear Free handling matters even more with sore joints. The team lets your pet stay on the floor or a soft mat, moves gently and takes breaks when needed.

Medicines and long-term conditions

Many seniors take daily medicine for arthritis, thyroid, heart or kidney problems. Some of these need blood work every few months to check the dose. Bring all medicines and supplements to each visit, including anything from another clinic, so the vet can check that they work well together.

Cost and visits

Wellness exams start at $99 at Petfolk Lakewood, and are included with a PetfolkCare membership, which starts at $199 a year. Lab work is priced separately. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

If your senior pet suddenly can't stand, has a seizure, collapses or is breathing hard at rest, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) at 4500 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75206. For a slower change, call the clinic and book a same-day visit.

When the time comes to talk about quality of life, the team will be honest and kind. See pet euthanasia in Lakewood.

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