My now oldest girl is 10.5 and she seems to have aged suddenly.  I was considering taking her to the vets for an MOT and wondered if anyone else had gone down this route, did the results throw up anything unexpected and was it worth the cost?

I took my rescue oldie in for an MOT earlier in the year, as she'd clearly aged in the previous six months, and we don't know exactly how old she is (been saying "about 10" for the last two years!).

Vet was very thouough, checking just about everything including heart, flexing all the limbs, feeling for lumps and bumps, eyes and ears etc. She confirmed my girl has the start of cataratcs as I suspected, and is pretty flexible for her age (whatever that age is!). Good teeth were noted (raw fed!).

I said she is often stiff when rising, and may be in pain, so the vet said we'd try some Loxicam to see if she improved (she did, so we've continued with it).

I had bloods done, basic plus another test I can't remember but which would be more likely to reveal the presence of any cancer etc. Results were back within 2 hours and all was fine. She will need another blood test in September,  just routine to make sure the Loxicom isn't affecting anything as it can do when given long-term.

Cost was about £120 in total including 30ml Loxicom, so not too bad and definitely worth it for my peace of mind :)

Yep had my old lady checked over for first time in December as felt there was something not quite right, bloods showed a few abnormalities but fairly non conclusive as to causes. Repeated bloods a few months later and still just off normal and now has clear issues with chronic renal disease. Feel it has been worth the monitoring as we have picked up problem at earliest point and I can adjust diet etc to maximise her comfort.
K

My vet is pretty thorough with his annual health check when they have their boosters.  It was how he found heart problems with a 7 year old bitch last year.  He asked me to have her heart scanned, but she collapsed and was rushed in within 24 hours, it was awful.

The surgery does offer a good deal on blood testing if done with a booster.  I tend to have oldies blood tested at this time, just to see if any kidney/liver problems are starting to rumble. 

I don't think you have anything to lose by having the MOT.  As Ms Temeraire has mentioned, it can put your mind at rest, instead of wondering.