Annual wellness exams are an opportunity to keep your pet up-to-date with their essential vaccines, ask any questions or concerns you may have, and assess their overall health. Scheduling annual wellness exams offers a range of benefits for you and your pet, including:
- Early Detection: We can identify potential health issues or emerging conditions early when they are most treatable and manageable.
- Establishing Baselines: These exams allow us to establish baseline health levels for your pet, making it easier to monitor any changes over time.
- Comprehensive Health Checks: Physical examinations and diagnostic tests, such as bloodwork and urinalysis, can detect underlying conditions before symptoms appear.
- Preventive Care: Annual exams are the perfect time to provide routine preventive care, including vaccinations and parasite control.
- Hidden Illness Detection: Pets are experts at masking signs of illness or pain. Often, wellness exams are the only way to identify hidden medical problems before they become serious.
- Customized Care Plans: We can develop tailored health care plans to address your pet's specific needs based on its age, breed, lifestyle, and health status.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Preventing diseases or catching them early is often less expensive and less stressful than treating advanced conditions.
- Behavioral Assessment: Regular check-ups allow us to assess your pet's behavior and address any concerns you might have about their mental well-being.
- Nutritional Guidance: We can provide advice on proper nutrition and weight management, which are crucial for your pet's overall health.
During the Exam
A health check includes assessing your pet’s overall condition, including weight, skin, coat, eyes, ears, and nose. The vet will evaluate dental health, heart and lung function, and check for lumps, pain, or abnormalities. Internal parasites are screened through fecal testing, while external parasites like fleas and ticks are examined. Mobility and joint issues, especially in senior pets, are also reviewed. The vet ensures vaccinations are up to date and determines the need for preventative medications like heartworm and flea/tick treatments. Nutritional status, behavioral or cognitive changes, and any concerns from the owner are also addressed.
Your pet’s file will be carefully reviewed to ensure that all preventative treatments and any local government mandated animal treatments are brought up to date during the annual wellness checkup. These may include things like:
- Vaccinations
- Inoculations
- Parasite control treatments
- Recommendations for future preventative care
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