One visit, one price — €299 / €309
Veterinary clinical exam, blood sampling and the IDEXX Geriatric Profile laboratory panel — €299 all in. We also recommend blood pressure measurement especially for cats and older dogs — package with blood pressure €309. The sample is sent to IDEXX's reference laboratory and the veterinarian interprets the results for you.
When is a pet a senior?
Dogs are seniors from around 7 years of age (large breeds from 5–6 years) and cats from around 8 years. As pets age, many diseases develop slowly and unnoticed — kidney disease, thyroid disorders, heart disease, diabetes and osteoarthritis can progress significantly before the owner notices symptoms. Blood values often shift before symptoms appear at home, and that is when treatment is most effective.
What does the senior check-up include?
The veterinarian performs a thorough clinical exam: heart and lung auscultation, abdominal and lymph node palpation, mouth and teeth, eyes, ears, skin and coat, body condition, muscle and joints, and palpation for lumps and tumours. We also take time to talk with you — eating, drinking, urination, stool, sleep and any changes you've noticed at home. What you tell us is often as important as what we see in the exam room.
We then take a blood sample for the IDEXX Geriatric Profile laboratory panel.
Panel contents:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Kidney: creatinine, urea, IDEXX SDMA (early kidney marker)
- Electrolytes: sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium and phosphate
- Liver: ALT, ALP, GGT, AST, GLDH and bilirubin
- Total protein and globulins
- Glucose and fructosamine (long-term glucose control)
- Cholesterol and triglycerides
- CK (muscle enzyme)
- T4 (thyroid hormone)
- Dogs only: amylase, lipase and CRP
- Cats only: albumin/globulin ratio
Results are usually ready within a few days. The veterinarian will then go through the results against what we saw clinically and email you a summary — what looks fine, what needs follow-up, and concrete recommendations going forward.
Why are regular check-ups important?
Regular check-ups are built on two things: catching disease early, and having reference values to compare against as your pet ages. A creatinine of 130 doesn't mean much on its own — but if last year's value was 95, the trend matters more than the number. Early detection lets us adjust diet, hydration or medication while it still makes a real difference. That's the difference between slowing a disease down and managing a crisis.
Bad breath — a common sign that should not be ignored
Many owners assume a pet's mouth is supposed to smell bad as they age. It isn't. Bad breath in dogs and cats is almost always a sign of something — most often gingivitis, dental tartar or periodontitis. It causes pain, it spreads bacteria into the bloodstream, and over time it puts strain on the heart and kidneys. During the senior check-up, the veterinarian carefully evaluates the condition of teeth and gums and tells you straight what's needed: home care, dental scaling under anaesthesia, or more extensive dental work.
Cardiac auscultation — a small exam, big impact
The senior check-up includes careful auscultation of the heart and lungs with a stethoscope. This simple exam can reveal heart murmurs, arrhythmias or other abnormal heart sounds — often long before symptoms appear at home. Valvular disease in ageing dogs and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats are common, and early detection allows treatment to begin before heart failure develops.
At Saari we have a Finnish Kennel Club authorised heart examiner with an ESAVS Cardiology Certificate. If a murmur is heard, we can perform echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound) here at the clinic — no need for a separate referral to another city.
How often?
- Healthy seniors: once a year.
- Pets with chronic disease (kidney, heart, thyroid, diabetes): closer follow-up on the vet's individual plan, often every 3–6 months.
- Large dog breeds and pets over 10–11 years: ideally twice a year, since values can change quickly at that age.
Frequently asked questions
What does the €299 include? The price covers the veterinary visit, blood sampling and interpretation, and the IDEXX Geriatric Profile laboratory panel (including complete blood count, kidney, liver, glucose, lipid and thyroid values). For dogs, the panel additionally includes pancreatic values and a CRP inflammatory marker. €309 additionally includes blood pressure measurement, which we recommend especially for cats and older dogs.
Does my pet need to fast before the visit? Yes, please fast your dog or cat for around 8–12 hours before the blood sample. Water is fine, and regular medication is usually given as normal unless we've agreed otherwise. A morning appointment is easiest.
How long does the visit take? Allow about 30–45 minutes at the clinic. The blood draw itself is quick, but we take time for the exam and the conversation.
What does it cost if something extra is needed? €299 covers the visit, blood sample and interpretation. If we agree together that something more is needed — for example echocardiography, urinalysis or dental X-ray — you'll get a clear price quote before we proceed. Nothing is done without your approval.
What happens if the panel shows something abnormal? The veterinarian will go through the findings with you by email and suggest next steps — usually a follow-up, sometimes additional tests or ultrasound. You set the pace, we give the direction.
Is the package suitable if my pet is already sick? Yes. The Geriatric Profile panel is also a good baseline for monitoring a known condition, and the fixed price makes the cost predictable. Let us know about your pet's current situation when booking so we can prepare properly.