Senior Screening: Blood Pressure, Thyroid, and X-Rays-

Senior Pet Screening: How Blood Work, Imaging, and Thyroid Testing Help Your Pet Age Well

When did your dog last bound up the stairs without thinking twice, or when did your cat last chase a toy across the room at full speed? If those moments feel like they have been fading gradually, you are not alone. Aging brings changes that can be tricky to interpret. A dog who sleeps more might just be mellowing out, or that extra napping could be an early sign of hypothyroidism. A cat drinking more water might be adjusting to warmer weather, or it could point to kidney disease that is easier to manage when caught early. The difference between “just getting older” and “something we can treat” often comes down to screening.

At Oliver Animal Hospital in Austin, we take a proactive, individualized approach to senior wellness. Our in-house diagnostics, imaging, and onsite pharmacy allow us to get answers and start care quickly, often in the same visit. If your pet is approaching their senior years or already there, request an appointment so we can talk about what screening looks like for them.

Why Do Senior Pets Need More Than a Standard Wellness Exam?

A physical exam tells us a lot, but it cannot measure what is happening inside your pet’s organs. Kidney values, thyroid levels, blood pressure, and cell counts are invisible to the eye and stethoscope, and many of the conditions that affect senior pets develop without obvious symptoms until they are well advanced. That is why preventive testing paired with twice-yearly exams gives us the clearest picture of your pet’s health.

One of the most valuable things about consistent screening is the ability to track trends. A single set of lab results is a snapshot, but comparing results across visits reveals patterns. If a kidney value creeps upward over two or three visits, we can recognize early disease and intervene even though each individual result still falls within normal range. That kind of trend tracking turns screening from a checklist into a powerful early warning system. Our veterinary wellness care program builds this ongoing monitoring into your pet’s routine so nothing slips through the cracks.

What Goes Into a Comprehensive Senior Screening?

There is no single test that covers everything, so we build a screening plan around your pet’s specific needs. Depending on age, breed, health history, and risk factors, your pet’s plan may include blood work, blood pressure monitoring, thyroid evaluation, urinalysis, and imaging. We follow established senior pet care recommendations and adjust them based on what we know about your individual pet. Contact us to discuss what combination of tests makes the most sense.

What Can Blood Work Tell Us About Your Senior Pet?

Blood panels are one of the most important tools in senior screening because they reveal how organs are functioning before your pet shows any outward signs of trouble.

Seniors commonly show findings like mild anemia, gradually rising kidney values, liver enzyme elevations, or shifting blood sugar. Individually, these may not seem alarming, but when we compare them to your pet’s prior results, a pattern often emerges that tells us exactly when to act. Our in-house lab means same-day results and same-visit conversations, so you leave with answers rather than waiting days to hear back. Learn more about our full services and how we integrate diagnostics into every senior visit.

Why Should Blood Pressure Be Part of Senior Screening?

Hypertension is one of those conditions that does its worst work in silence. High blood pressure can damage the kidneys, strain the heart, and cause neurologic changes, and in some cases, pets experience sudden blindness from retinal detachment with no prior warning signs. Conditions frequently linked to hypertension include chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism in cats, diabetes, and Cushing’s disease.

The test itself is simple and stress-free. We place a small cuff on a leg or tail and take several readings while your pet relaxes, much like a blood pressure check at your own doctor’s office. We use gentle, low-stress handling to keep the process calm, which also helps ensure accurate readings. When blood pressure is elevated, management typically combines medication with treatment of the underlying condition and regular rechecks to fine-tune the plan.

What Does a Urine Test Reveal About Your Pet’s Health?

Urinalysis checks urine concentration, pH, protein, glucose, blood cells, crystals, and bacteria. That single sample gives us insight into kidney function, urinary infections, diabetes, and bladder health. One of the reasons urinalysis is so valuable in seniors is that some kidney changes appear in urine before blood work shifts. Healthy kidneys produce concentrated urine, so when concentration drops or protein starts showing up, it can be an early signal that the kidneys need support. Pairing urinalysis with blood panels gives us a much more complete picture than either test provides on its own.

How Is Heart Disease Screened in Senior Pets?

Pets with early heart disease can look completely normal at home, which is why what we find during an exam, like a new heart murmur or an irregular rhythm, can be so important. Early heart disease diagnosis gives us the chance to begin treatment before symptoms develop, which often means a longer and more comfortable life.

All of these tests are noninvasive and well-tolerated. We offer X-rays and ultrasonography in-house, and when advanced cardiac imaging is needed, we coordinate with trusted cardiology specialists in Austin while continuing to manage your pet’s overall care.

When Are X-Rays and Ultrasound Recommended?

Radiography gives us a detailed look at the chest, abdomen, and bones. X-rays help evaluate heart size, lung health, abdominal organ shape and position, arthritis, masses, bladder stones, and fractures. When we need to look deeper inside an organ, ultrasound provides real-time views of the liver, spleen, kidneys, bladder, and intestines. It can detect masses, cysts, fluid accumulation, and structural changes that X-rays alone may not reveal. Most pets tolerate ultrasound comfortably without sedation, and having both tools available in-house means faster answers and fewer trips for you and your pet.

What Conditions Should Senior Pet Owners Watch For?

Screening helps us identify a range of age-related conditions. Here are the ones we see most often and what you might notice at home.

Thyroid Disease in Dogs

Hypothyroidism develops when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormone, and the signs are easy to write off as normal aging. Your dog may gain weight without eating more, lose interest in walks, develop a dull or thinning coat, or get recurring skin and ear infections. A blood test confirms the diagnosis, and daily medication typically restores energy, weight, and coat quality within a few weeks. Many owners tell us they did not realize how much their dog had slowed down until they saw the difference after treatment.

Thyroid Disease in Cats

Feline hyperthyroidism is the opposite problem and the most common hormonal condition in older cats. The thyroid overproduces hormone, speeding up metabolism and placing strain on the heart and kidneys. You might notice your cat losing weight despite eating enthusiastically, drinking more water, vocalizing more, or seeming restless. Treatment options include daily medication, prescription iodine-restricted diets, and radioactive iodine therapy when appropriate. With consistent treatment and monitoring, most cats do very well.

Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease is one of the most common diagnoses in senior cats and affects dogs as well. The challenge is that kidneys have significant reserve capacity, so pets often feel fine until 65 to 75% of function is already gone. That is precisely why screening catches it at a stage when management, including prescription diets, hydration strategies, and supportive medications, can maintain quality of life for months to years. Our veterinary care team works with you to build a monitoring schedule that keeps your pet comfortable.

Heart Disease

The most common types vary by species and size. Small dogs are prone to mitral valve disease, large dogs to dilated cardiomyopathy, and cats to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Symptoms may include coughing, labored breathing, decreased energy, reduced appetite, and sometimes abdominal swelling. Early detection allows us to begin heart disease treatment that reduces strain on the heart, and many pets live comfortably for months or even years with the right management and regular monitoring.

Cancer Screening

Regular exams, lymph node assessments, and imaging help us detect cancer at earlier, more treatable stages. Keep an eye out for new or changing lumps, unexplained weight loss, decreased appetite, or a cough that will not resolve. When we find a suspicious mass, a fine needle sample or biopsy helps determine whether it is benign or malignant and guides next steps. Certain breeds face higher risk for specific cancers: Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Boxers, and giant breeds are more susceptible to lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma, and osteosarcoma, making consistent monitoring especially important.

Liver Disease

Blood work frequently catches elevated liver enzymes before any outward signs develop, giving us a head start on diagnosis. Signs of liver disease can include appetite loss, vomiting, increased thirst, jaundice (a yellowish tint to the gums or eyes), and fluid accumulation in the abdomen. Imaging helps clarify the underlying cause, and many pets respond well to dietary adjustments, targeted medications, and ongoing monitoring.

Arthritis and Joint Pain

Arthritis is widespread in senior dogs and frequently underdiagnosed in cats, who tend to slow down and withdraw rather than limp. Physical exams and X-rays confirm joint changes and help us start relief before discomfort limits your pet’s daily life. Treatment often combines anti-inflammatory medication, joint supplements, weight management, and laser therapy for noninvasive pain relief. Monthly injectable options like Solensia for cats and Librela for dogs have also made a significant difference for pets who are difficult to medicate at home.

Dental Disease

Dental care matters more than many pet owners realize, especially in seniors. Dental disease goes well beyond bad breath. Bacteria from infected gums can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart, liver, and kidneys, making it a whole-body concern. Watch for persistent bad breath, drooling, bleeding gums, dropping food, or reluctance to eat hard items. Our veterinary dental care provides professional cleanings under anesthesia to address tartar above and below the gumline, and pre-anesthetic blood work helps us tailor anesthesia for safety. Between cleanings, daily brushing and dental chews help maintain progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should my senior pet be screened?

Most seniors benefit from exams and lab work about every six months. Pets managing chronic conditions like kidney disease or thyroid imbalance may need more frequent monitoring, and we adjust the schedule based on your pet’s trends.

What are early signs that my pet needs screening now?

Changes in thirst or urination, unexplained weight gain or loss, new lumps, persistent coughing, stiffness or reluctance to jump, appetite changes, and shifts in litter box habits are all worth checking into sooner rather than later.

Is anesthesia safe for senior pets?

With pre-anesthetic blood work and individualized protocols, modern anesthesia is very safe for seniors. We use continuous monitoring, IV fluids, and warming support throughout every procedure.

What does it mean if all results come back normal?

That is genuinely good news. Normal results give us peace of mind and, just as importantly, a baseline to compare against at future visits. If a value starts creeping upward next time, we will catch it early, and that is the whole point of screening.

How much does senior screening cost?

Costs depend on which tests your pet needs. We are always happy to walk you through options, and wellness packages bundle core tests at a better value.

Give Your Senior Pet the Gift of Early Detection

The goal of senior screening is simple: find treatable conditions early so your pet stays comfortable, active, and happy for as long as possible. Blood work, blood pressure checks, thyroid panels, urinalysis, and imaging each reveal something different, and together they give us a complete picture of your pet’s health that a physical exam alone cannot provide.

Our team at Oliver Animal Hospital is here to guide you through every step, from choosing the right tests to explaining results and building a care plan that fits your pet and your life. If your pet is entering their senior years or you have noticed changes at home, contact us or request an appointment. We will take it from there.