Senior dogs and cats, usually dogs from about 7 years old and cats from about 10, do best with a checkup every six months and lab work at least once a year, because pain and disease often start quietly. Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - SouthPark is a veterinary clinic on Old Sardis Road in Charlotte, North Carolina, that helps you tell normal aging apart from treatable problems and sends you home with a plan you can follow.
Giant-breed dogs reach senior age earlier, and some small breeds later.
Call (980) 580-8079 or book online.
How many SouthPark patients are seniors?
Older pets make up a large share of the patients at Petfolk SouthPark: a third of the pets seen (33%) were 7 or older, and about 1 in 6 (17%) were 10 or older, from October 2025 to September 2026. In the same window:
About 1 in 5 Petfolk SouthPark sick visits (22%) were for pets 10 or older.
Wellness visits for dogs 7 and older were about 1.5 times as likely to include blood work as those for younger adult dogs (37% vs 24%).
Is my dog slowing down because he's old, or because he hurts?
Often it is pain, not age. Arthritis is very common in older dogs and cats and shows up as hesitation on stairs, stiff first steps after a nap, or sitting down partway through a walk. Low thyroid, heart disease and weight gain can also sap energy. At Petfolk SouthPark, many of these respond well to treatment: pain medicine, joint supplements the vet recommends, weight loss, and rugs on slippery floors.
What are the early signs of illness in an older cat?
Older cats hide illness, so the early signs are quiet ones:
Drinking more water, or bigger clumps in the litter box
Weight loss even with a good appetite
Grooming less, or a greasy or matted coat
No longer jumping onto favorite spots
Yowling at night
Kidney disease, an overactive thyroid and diabetes are common in older cats and often show on blood and urine tests before the cat looks sick, which is why the Petfolk SouthPark vet checks them. The AAFP has more on senior cat care.
How often should a senior pet see the vet?
Every six months is the usual advice for older pets, with lab work at least yearly, and the AAHA senior care guidelines support more frequent visits. Twice-yearly exams at Petfolk SouthPark let the vet track weight, muscle, teeth, heart sounds and lab values while changes are still small. The blood work page explains which tests are typical for seniors.
Should I worry about lumps on my older dog?
Have any new lump checked, because many are harmless fatty lumps (lipomas) but you can't tell by feel. At Petfolk SouthPark, a quick needle sample, called a fine-needle aspirate, collects a few cells to look at under a microscope. Until then, measure each lump, note where it is and take a photo every month. Growth, redness or a lump that feels fixed in place are reasons to book sooner.
Is my pet too old for anesthesia or pain medicine?
Age alone is not a reason to refuse care, and older pets often have the most to gain from relief. The Petfolk SouthPark vet checks heart, kidney and liver function first, then picks medicines and doses to match. For dental work or a lump removal, monitoring during anesthesia keeps the risk as low as possible.
Why is my older dog restless or confused at night?
Older dogs and cats can develop cognitive dysfunction, a slow change in the brain much like dementia in people. Signs include pacing or crying at night, getting stuck in corners, forgetting house training or not recognizing familiar people. Medicines, diet changes, a steady routine and night lights can help, so tell the Petfolk SouthPark vet what you see.
My elderly Chihuahua had the best of care this morning, can't thank this team enough during our time of need! Rebekah H., Google review
What happens at a senior visit at Petfolk SouthPark?
You go straight into a private exam room on arrival, which is easier on a stiff dog or a cat who dislikes other animals. The vet does a nose-to-tail exam with extra attention to joints, weight and muscle, teeth, eyes, heart and belly, and the in-house lab can run many senior screens during the visit. You get an estimate before any tests and leave with a date for the next check.
Which changes in an older pet can't wait?
If your senior pet collapses, has trouble breathing, has a swollen belly, or suddenly can't stand, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital. For a new limp, a change in appetite or thirst, or a new lump, book a visit within a few days.
Looking for a veterinarian in SouthPark for an older pet? Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - SouthPark is at 4914 Old Sardis Rd, Unit C5, Charlotte, NC 28211, and sees dogs and cats. Call (980) 580-8079 or book online.
Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - SouthPark, or see all veterinary services in SouthPark.
Caring for an older pet: common questions
Unit C5 on Old Sardis Road