Regular veterinary checkups are essential for maintaining the health and well-being of your pets. Whether you have a dog or a cat, routine vet exams are crucial in detecting potential health issues early, ensuring your pet remains happy and healthy.
IMPORTANT: While we do not offer wellness exams, our patients sometimes have questions about them.
Why are routine vet exams important?
Regular veterinary checkups are important for catching health problems early, often before symptoms become apparent. Early detection can lead to more effective treatment and better outcomes. During routine exams, veterinarians provide essential preventative care, including vaccinations, parasite control, and dental checkups.
These preventative measures help avoid serious health issues down the line. Routine exams also provide an opportunity to monitor your pet's overall health. Vets can track weight, behavior, and other vital signs to ensure your pet is developing normally and that they are in good health. Regular visits help build a comprehensive health history for your pet, which is invaluable for identifying patterns and making informed decisions about their care.
Scheduling Your Cat's or Dog's Checkup
The frequency of your pet's routine exam will depend on your four-legged friend's age, lifestyle, previous medical history, and the breed's disease susceptibility. Suppose your pet is healthy but has a history of illnesses or is at a higher risk of developing diseases. In these cases, you should bring them to your primary vet for an examination twice a year to ensure their ongoing health.
An annual exam is recommended for adult pets in good health with no history of illness.
Very young or very old animals are more prone to disease and illness, so our vets suggest bringing your kitten or puppy to your primary vet for a checkup once a month for the first four to six months of their lives.
If your pet is in its senior years or you have a large breed of dog at a higher risk of developing diseases, taking them to the vet twice a year for a checkup is recommended. Regular checkups for your cat or dog allow your primary vet to detect early signs of diseases and start treatment while illnesses are still in their early and most treatable stages before they become severe.
What Happens During a Vet Checkup?
When you take your pet to your primary veterinarian for their regular check-up, the first step is for the vet to review your pet's medical history and discuss any concerns you may have about your cat or dog's behavior or health. The vet will also ask about your pet's lifestyle, diet, water intake, exercise routine, and urination habits.
The vet often requests a fresh stool sample from your pet to conduct a fecal exam. This is important for detecting intestinal parasites that could harm your pet's health.
Following this, the vet will conduct a physical examination of your pet. They will:
- Weigh your cat or dog.
- Listen to your pet's lungs and heart.
- Look at the animal's gait and stance for irregularities.
- Check your pet's nails and feet for damage or signs of more serious health conditions.
- Palpate your companion's abdomen to check for normal internal organs and signs of pain or discomfort.
- Feel along your pet's body for signs of illness, such as swelling, pain, and evidence of lameness, including a limited range of motion.
- Look closely at your cat or dog's skin to identify conditions, including parasites, lumps, or dryness.
- Inspect the overall condition of your furry friend's coat, looking for bald patching or dandruff.
- Examine their eyes for eyelid issues, discharge, redness, cloudiness, or excessive tearing.
- Check your pet's ears for signs of polyps, wax build-up, ear mites, or bacterial infection.
- Look at your dog or cat's teeth for any indication of damage, tooth decay, or periodontal disease.
If no problems are found throughout the process, all these exams and checks can be done seamlessly and quickly. Your veterinarian will likely talk with you as they perform this thorough examination.
Your vet will also administer your cat or dog's annual vaccines, if appropriate, based on your pet's vaccine schedule. Puppies' and kittens' vaccinations and booster shots for adult pets are crucial in giving them their best chance at a long and healthy life. Staying up to date with your animal companions' vaccines throughout their lives will help keep them safe from various contagious and possibly serious conditions and diseases.
Additional Routine Tests Recommended for Pets
In addition to the standard tests mentioned earlier, your vet may recommend further tests to obtain more detailed information about your pet's health. When deciding whether your cat or dog may require additional tests, it's crucial to remember that in many cases, early detection and treatment of illnesses and diseases are more cost-effective and less invasive than treating a condition in its advanced stages.
The tests listed below look for a variety of conditions and can help find the earliest signs of diseases before your pet displays symptoms:
- Urinalysis
- Thyroid hormone testing
- Complete blood count (CDC)
If you own a giant breed of dog or a senior pet, more in-depth testing (such as X-rays and other imaging) might also be recommended.
At the End of Your Pet's Checkup
After completing your pet's checkup and examination and administering their annual vaccines and booster shots, your veterinarian will take the necessary time to discuss their findings with you.
If your vet identifies any signs of injury or illness, they will discuss options for a detailed diagnosis or available treatments with you.
If your cat or dog receives a clean bill of health, your veterinarian might offer tips or suggestions regarding your pet's oral health, diet, parasite prevention, or exercise routines.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. While our animal hospital does not offer wellness exams, our patients sometimes have questions about them.