Arthritis, kidneys, thyroid, diabetes, heart, dignity
Senior pets and long-term conditions
Dogs over eight and cats over ten are the fastest-growing part of the practice. Six-monthly senior checks, arthritis clinics with the nurses, the long-term conditions managed with monthly plans, and honest conversations about quality of life when the time comes.
Old age is not a disease, but it is when the diseases arrive, and most of them are manageable for years if they are caught before the animal is obviously ill. A senior check every six months, with a blood and urine test once a year, finds the kidney, thyroid and liver problems while there is still something to do about them.
Arthritis is the big one. Half the dogs over eight and most cats over twelve have it, and cats hide it well. The nurse-led arthritis clinic covers weight, exercise, the house (ramps, rugs, raised bowls), pain relief that is reviewed every three months, and the newer monthly injections that have changed the picture for a lot of animals. Kidney disease in cats, thyroid disease in cats and dogs, diabetes and heart disease each have a protocol, a named vet and a repeat-prescription routine so that medicines are ready to collect without an appointment every time.
When a pet is near the end, we would rather talk about it early than late. Quality-of-life conversations are unhurried, with a scoring sheet you can use at home, and nobody is judged for the decision they make. Euthanasia is in the quiet room with its own door to the garden, or at home within eight miles, with as much time as you need before and after. Individual cremation with the ashes returned is arranged through a local crematorium we visit ourselves.
What is included
- Senior checks every six months, free on the plan
- Yearly blood and urine screening
- Nurse-led arthritis clinic
- Named vet for each long-term condition
- Repeat prescriptions ready without an appointment
- Euthanasia at home or in the quiet room, never rushed
What it costs
Senior check £48 (free on the health plan, twice a year), arthritis nurse clinic £25, repeat prescription checks £32. Long-term medication at 10% off on the plan. Prices include VAT and every one is on the prices page; the health plan takes 10% off all of them. Emergencies, day or night, are on the emergencies page.
Questions about senior pets
How do I know when it is time?
The scoring sheet helps: appetite, pain, mobility, interest in life, more good days than bad. The vet will give you an honest opinion when you ask for it, and will tell you unasked if they think you are waiting too long. It is the hardest decision in pet ownership and we have had it ourselves.
Can I stay with my pet?
Always, and for as long as you want afterwards. The quiet room has a sofa, a kettle and a door to the garden so you do not walk out through the waiting room.
Is the monthly arthritis injection expensive?
About £60 to £90 a month depending on size, before the plan discount. For a dog that can walk to the park again, most owners think it is the best money they have spent; we will tell you honestly after the first two doses whether it is working.
Register a pet, or book an appointment.
Registration takes five minutes and we request the history from your previous vet. Sick pets are seen the same day, emergencies at once, and out of hours one of our own vets answers 01632 960 813. Every price is on the website.