Every pet needs to see the veterinarian at least once a year. Pets are good at hiding their problems from us. They can’t tell us when something is bothering them, especially if the problem is mild. Preventive medicine is the key to keeping our pets as happy and healthy as possible.During every visit, the technician will begin by taking a detailed history and vital signs.Since pets can’t talk, it is important for us to ask all the right questions to get a picture of overall health at home.
The next step is for the veterinarian to do a comprehensive physical exam. The doctor will go over the patient from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. He will check the overall appearance and body condition, listen to the heart and lungs, examine the eyes, ears, mouth, lymph nodes, skin and haircoat, genitals, feel the abdominal organs and check the neurologic and musculoskeletal systems including things like reflexes, range of motion and muscle mass.
Before administering annual vaccinations, the veterinarian will always perform a physical examination. Vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system. Only completely healthy pets should be vaccinated. It is our duty to ensure the health of every pet we vaccinate prior to administering immunologic agents. Vaccines are a necessary part of pet care to keep both animals and humans healthy. Diseases like Leptospirosis and Rabies can be transmitted between pets, wildlife and humans, and are potentially life-threatening.
For young, healthy pets, a visit to the veterinarian is peace of mind. Assuring everything is progressing normally, scheduling a dental cleaning or ear cleaning as necessary, and doing any scheduled vaccinations, fecal or blood tests detects and prevents problems before they become serious. Early diagnosis and treatment is key to maintaining optimal pet health.
Dental disease, ear and skin problems, obesity, heart murmurs and lumps and bumps are all common examples of findings during annual checkups. We would love to schedule an appointment for a routine wellness visit every patient at least once a year, so all our patients can stay on track with wellness care!