Routine wellness exams are a proactive way to help safeguard your pet's long-term health and vitality. Why should you take your healthy pet to the vet? What happens during a pet routine wellness exam? Find out below.
My pet is healthy, why bother going to the vet?
Your pet's annual wellness exam is a veterinary 'check-up' for your cat or dog. Wellness exams - or pet checkups - take place once or twice a year while your pet appears to be perfectly healthy. These examinations are a great way to help your pet achieve optimal health by focusing on prevention and early disease detection. By taking your healthy dog or cat in to see their vet regularly, you give your veterinarian the opportunity to monitor your pet's overall health and check for diseases that can be difficult to spot in the early stages (such as cancers and parasites).
How often should my pet have a routine wellness exam?
The recommended frequency of your pet's wellness exams depends upon your pet's age, previous medical history, lifestyle, and breed risk for developing diseases. If your animal is healthy at the moment but has a history of illness or a higher than average risk of developing a disease, seeing your vet twice a year can help to ensure that your pet stays as healthy as possible.
For adult pets in good health yearly wellness exams are often ideal.
Animals that are very young or very old tend to be more susceptible to illness. If you have a new puppy or kitten it can be a good idea to visit your vet once a month for the first 4 - 6 months.
If you have a senior pet, or an animal such as a giant breed dog that faces an increased risk of developing disease, twice-yearly wellness exams are recommended. This will give your veterinarian an opportunity to check your pet for the earliest signs of disease, and get treatment started before the condition becomes more severe.
What will happen at my pet's routine wellness exam?
When you bring your pet in to see us for their health exam your vet will review your pet's medical history and ask if there is anything about your dog or cat's health or behavior that you are concerned about. Your vet will also ask you about your pet's diet, lifestyle, exercise routine, level of thirst, and urination.
Many veterinarians request that pet owners bring along a fresh sample of their pet's stool (bowel movement) in order for a fecal exam to be performed. Fecals are a valuable tool when it comes to detecting intestinal parasites that can severely impact your pet's health.
Next, your veterinarian will perform a physical examination of your pet which generally includes the following:
- Weighing your pet
- Checking the animal's stance and gait for irregularities
- Examining your pet's feet and nails for damage or signs of more serious health concerns
- Listening to your animal's heart and lungs
- Taking a close look at your dog or cat's skin for issues such as dryness, parasites, or lumps
- Inspecting the overall condition of your pet's coat, watching for dandruff or bald patches
- Checking eyes for redness, cloudiness, eyelid issues, excessive tearing, or discharge
- Examining your pet's ears for signs of bacterial infection, ear mites, wax build-up, or polyps
- Looking at your pet's teeth for any indication of periodontal disease, damage or tooth decay
- Feeling along your pet's body (palpating) for signs of illness such as swelling, evidence of lameness such as limited range of motion, and signs of pain
- Palpate your pet's abdomen to assess whether the internal organs appear to be normal and to check for signs of discomfort
All of these checks and more can be done quickly and easily if no issues are detected along the way. No doubt your vet will continue to chat with you as they perform this comprehensive examination.
Annual vaccines will also be given at your pet's wellness exam, based upon the appropriate schedule for your cat or dog. Vaccinations for puppies and kittens, as well as booster shots for adult dogs and cats, are an important part of giving your animal their very best chance at a long and happy life. Keeping your pet up to date on vaccines throughout their life will help to protect your furry friend against a range of contagious, potentially serious, diseases and conditions.
My pet is older, do I really need to bring them in for routine checkups?
Routine wellness exams are vital for older pets. When you bring your furry friend in for their senior exam your vet will be on the lookout for the earliest signs of age-related conditions that can zap your furry friend of energy and vitality such as kidney disease, diabetes, failing eyesight, joint pain and more. Early diagnosis and treatment can help your vet to manage or even slow the progression of the disease. Early treatment often prevents complications from developing and helps to preserve your pet's good health and comfortable mobility throughout their golden years.
Why is my vet recommending extra tests for my pet?
As well as the general checks listed above, your veterinarian may also recommend additional wellness testing. When deciding whether your dog or cat should have additional testing it's important to keep in mind that in many cases early detection and treatment of disease is less expensive and less invasive than treating the condition once it has reached more advanced stages.
The following tests screen for a range of conditions and can help detect the very earliest signs of disease, even before symptoms appear:
- Complete blood count (CDC)
- Thyroid hormone testing
- Urinalysis
If you have a senior pet or a giant breed dog, more detailed diagnostic testing may also be recommended including x-rays and other imaging.
What happens once the examination is complete?
Once the examination is complete, and your pet has received their annual vaccines, your vet will take the time to discuss any findings with you.
If your veterinarian has detected any signs of illness or injury, they will take the time to speak to you about more detailed diagnostics, or available treatment options.
If your dog or cat is given a clean bill of health, your vet may offer tips or recommendations regarding your pet's diet, lifestyle, oral health, or appropriate parasite prevention.
Is there a way I can save money on my pet's routine exams and preventive care?
Yes! At At Guilford-Jamestown Veterinary Hospital, our Wellness plans for dogs and cats help pet parents give their faithful companions the very best in preventive care, while saving money.
Our Pet Wellness Plans bundle together the costs of the annual preventive services we recommend, then apply a discount and divide the total into 12 manageable monthly payments. Our pet wellness plans include:
- Twice Yearly Wellness Exams
- Annual Core Vaccinations
- Intestinal Parasite Screenings (Fecal Screening)
- 12 Month's Supply of Flea & Tick Prevention
- 12 Month Supply of Heartworm Prevention
And our wellness plans for cats include:
- Twice Yearly Wellness Exam
- Annual Core Vaccination
- Intestinal Parasite Screenings (Fecal Screening)
- 12 Month Supply of Fle & Tick Prevention
Call Us Now to Enroll Your Pet
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. Please make an appointment with your vet to accurately diagnose your pet's condition.
