Twice a Year for a Longer, Happier Life

One of the things we love most about seeing the same pets year after year is watching them grow, change, and thrive. As your dog or cat moves into their middle and senior years, a familiar face can sometimes hide a lot. Six months in a pet's life represents far more change than it does in ours, and the more we know about your pet at their best, the more quickly we can recognise when something is off.

From age five for dogs and cats, we recommend health checks every six months rather than annually. This is not because we expect something to be wrong - it is because we want to catch things early, when they are most manageable.

In older pets, the conditions we monitor for most closely include dental disease, arthritis and joint disease, kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism in cats, and cognitive dysfunction. Many of these develop gradually and show no obvious signs until they are well advanced. A six-monthly check allows us to track trends in blood work, weight, heart sounds, and physical condition that would not be apparent from annual checks alone.

A senior health check at Middle Brighton Vet includes a full physical examination, weight and body condition assessment, dental assessment, heart and lung auscultation, and a discussion of any changes you have noticed at home. Depending on your pet's age and history, we may recommend blood and urine testing to assess organ function.

The goal is more time with your pet feeling well, not just more time. Early intervention changes outcomes.

Call us on (03) 9592 9811 or book online at middlebrightonvet.com.au/book-online.