Did you know that a cat over the age of 8 is considered to be senior?! In dogs this is a bit more breed-dependant with giant dogs reaching their senior years aged around 6, and smaller dogs up to 8 or 9. Now that your pet is one of our senior citizens, we would recommend booking them in for an Old Friends Check-Up.

As dogs and cats approach their senior years, they are more prone to developing health issues. The earlier these problems are picked up, the more we can do to help control them and keep your pet happy and healthy for as long as possible.

For example, 90% of senior dogs and cats have dental disease, which they are very good at hiding. 90% of senior dogs will also have some level of arthritis, along with about 60% of senior cats. Other common conditions of older pets are obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease (seen in a third of older cats) and liver disease. Additionally, hyperthyroidism will develop in about 10% of our senior feline patients.

However, our furry friends are quite adept at concealing symptoms during the early stages of these conditions. That’s why it’s really important that we do some routine tests on our older patients to make sure that none of these things are developing.

What’s included?
● A nose to tail vet examination
● Blood pressure check
● Blood sampling to screen for lots of diseases including kidney and liver disease, hyperthyroidism (in cats), diabetes and haematological abnormalities such as anaemia
● Urine sample check
● Weight clinic if required

At your pet’s Old Friends Check-Up, you will first see a nurse at our South Queensferry Branch who will measure their blood pressure and arrange a collection time for later that day. They will then be admitted for a blood sample and a thorough clinical examination with one of our vets. The vet will phone you once all the results are through to make any necessary recommendations for treatments or further testing as required. This offer is intended to detect hidden underlying health issues so cannot be applied to pets who are already unwell or undergoing treatment.

This full check-up is just £96 if you are a Friends of Westport member (or £115 if for non-members). This is a saving of over half the cost of these tests and checks individually.
If you would like your pet to have an Old Friends Check-Up and you are not a Friends of Westport member but are interested in signing up please let us know! What’s more, if your pet is due a vaccination, this can be done at a discounted cost at the same time – £140 for the vaccination and Old Friends Check-Up together for non-members (or FREE vaccination for Friends of Westport members).
If you would like to book your cat or dog in for their Old Friends Check-Up, or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to talk to a member of our team!

For a handout version of this information please CLICK HERE.