8 Jul 2025
With companion animals living twice as long as they did just a few decades ago, Esme Edisbury RVN highlights the importance of checking older patients and how nurses can play a larger role in this
Esme Edisbury
Job Title
Senior pets now make up 30% to 40% of patients seen in general practice, and our pets are living twice as long as they did 40 years ago (Wells, 2025).
It is understood that senior pets have complex conditions and comorbidities (Cavill, 2022), and with owners attributing these clinical symptoms to “old age” (Imrie, 2024), it has never been more important to target older animals for health screening.
It is no secret that RVNs are quickly leaving the profession disgruntled due to the under-use of their skills. There is a perception that the skill of an RVN is often both underused and undervalued in practice (Andrew-Jones, 2023). However, there are areas in which an RVN can branch into and take on as their own in practice. With only 1 in 10 clinics running senior pet screenings (Imrie, 2024), it is felt that there is a real gap where RVNs could be better utilised in the development and running of these clinics. This would not only boost RVNs job satisfaction by giving them a specific nurse led clinic to lead, but will also help towards improving the quality of life of older pets.
After completing the Veterinary Nurse Consulting Diploma through Colourful CPD, my eyes were opened to just how much nurses really can do in the consulting room and for our clients, while still abiding by schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act.
With a mix of modules, webinars and workshop days, the course gave me the insight, knowledge and confidence to be able to devise clinics and run them in practice.
Annual screening clinics for animals older than seven years of age (Wells, 2025) can have a positive impact on the health and well-being of that animal, as well as the increased client-patient bond formed with the practice brought on by regular clinic contact (Lacey, 2021).
I took a real interest in geriatric patients and how, as RVNs, we have a lot more time to give to the owners of senior animals and can tailor these clinics to give the most comprehensive screening, as well as enough time to discuss small concerns that may otherwise be overlooked in a 15-minute vet appointment. This led me to devise and launch Senior WellPet Screening clinics in my practice.
Firstly, it was important to have the veterinary surgeons in my practice on board, as well as the management team, discussing a mutual goal of what Senior WellPet Screening clinics would look like, what would be offered within these clinics and how much they would cost the client.
A protocol was written up outlining exactly what was expected of the RVN carrying out the clinic, what tests would be run and what will happen with the results, both normal and abnormal. It is fundamental that a protocol is written up and agreed by the senior vet, as the RVN needs to ensure they are always working within the boundaries of Schedule 3.
A watertight protocol ensures all staff are working within their scope and allows for continuity for clients being seen by different staff running these clinics.
It was decided that these clinics would include the following as standard:
This was deemed a comprehensive screening and in practice has so far picked up several clinical issues within otherwise asymptomatic animals. This allows interventions and veterinary care to start earlier within the disease process; therefore, promoting a good quality of life.
The Senior WellPet Screening clinics were launched in November 2024, and with advertising across our website, social media, open events and email marketing, they have so far had good uptake, supporting the finding that 63% of owners would attend a screening clinic now or in the future (Wells, 2025).
This clinic was kept to one branch to ensure all early issues and worries were ironed out before filtering to other clinics. After a few protocol adaptations and a discussion with the senior vet, this clinic is now at the stage where it is ready to be launched at all Pet Doctors and Medina Vets sites on the Isle of Wight.
In conclusion, with the ever-increasing life expectancy of pets and the chronic under-use of RVNs in practice, it is important for RVNs themselves to continue to develop their skill set, whether this be through seeking further education and qualifications, or teaming up with the vets in practice to create and run tailored clinics.
This will not only have a positive impact on job satisfaction and RVN utilisation, but in this instance, the health and well-being of our geriatric patients.
