Why Regular Wellness Exams Matter
Regular wellness exams are essential for keeping your pet healthy and catching potential health problems early. Whether you have a puppy, kitten, adult dog or cat, or a senior pet, routine checkups provide an opportunity for early detection of diseases, improve outcomes, and help keep medical costs down.
At each stage of life, your pet requires different levels of care, and we tailor our wellness exams to meet their specific needs. During your pet’s exam, we conduct thorough physical assessments, vaccinations, preventive care, and diagnostics to ensure they’re living their best life.
Puppy and Kitten Wellness
Congratulations on your new puppy or kitten! The first few months are critical for their development, and our puppy/kitten wellness program ensures they start life on the right path. During their first exam, we will:
- Provide advice on nutrition, training, and socialization
- Administer vaccinations, including rabies, distemper, and parvovirus for puppies, and panleukopenia (distemper) for kittens
- Screen for parasites, including roundworms, which are common in young pets
Early vaccinations and parasite treatment are key to protecting your pet from serious but preventable diseases. We also recommend discussing spaying or neutering to prevent unwanted litters and associated health risks.
Adult Pet Wellness
As your pet matures, regular annual exams are essential to monitor their health. Early detection of diseases such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease can significantly improve treatment outcomes. During these exams, we will:
- Perform a physical assessment from nose to tail
- Ensure your pet receives the appropriate vaccinations and preventive care
- Conduct diagnostic tests, including blood work, fecal tests, and urinalysis, to check for underlying diseases or parasites
Regular exams are particularly important since dogs and cats age quickly compared to humans, making it essential to address potential issues early on.
Senior Pet Wellness
As your pet enters their senior years, they require special attention. Our senior wellness program focuses on maintaining your pet’s health and catching age-related problems early. We recommend annual wellness exams for pets aged 7+ years for dogs or 8+ years for cats. These exams include:
- A baseline exam to track changes over time
- Screening for age-related conditions such as arthritis, cognitive dysfunction syndrome, and heart disease
- Tailored pain management, nutritional guidance, and exercise plans to improve your pet’s quality of life
Senior pets can benefit from early intervention and ongoing care to help them stay comfortable and healthy as they age.
Vaccinations and Preventive Care
Keeping your pet up to date on vaccinations is vital to prevent serious diseases. Vaccinations help protect your pet from common, contagious, and life-threatening illnesses. During your pet’s wellness exam, we will assess their vaccine needs and recommend the appropriate vaccines based on their age, lifestyle, and risk factors.
- Puppies and kittens will receive their initial vaccinations, including rabies, distemper, parvovirus, panleukopenia, and more
- Adult pets will receive boosters for vaccines such as rabies, distemper, and leptospirosis
- We also offer preventive care against parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and heartworms
Keeping Your Pet's Teeth Healthy
Dental health is a crucial part of your pet’s overall well-being. Dental disease is common in pets, especially as they age, and can lead to painful conditions like gingivitis, periodontal disease, and tooth loss. During your pet’s wellness exam, we will:
- Examine your pet’s teeth and gums to check for signs of plaque, tartar, and gum disease
- Recommend dental cleanings if necessary to maintain your pet’s oral health
- Discuss at-home dental care routines, including brushing your pet’s teeth and using dental chews or toys
Dermatology
Skin problems are common in dogs and cats and can be caused by hormonal disorders, allergies, infections, or parasites such as fleas and mites. These issues can be particularly difficult to treat and should be addressed promptly.
We can often diagnose a skin problem by simply examining your pet. Some dermatologic diseases or conditions do require additional diagnostic procedures to ensure a correct diagnosis. Depending on your pet’s symptoms and the results of our physical exam, we may run blood work or perform a urinalysis, skin scraping, or biopsies.
Contact us if you notice your dog or cat scratching excessively or if he or she develops any bare patches, scabs, scaling, redness, inflammation, lumps, or bumps.
