What Occurs With the Routine Pet Examination?

Most pet owners want to provide their cat or dog with the best environment and care possible. Pet wellness exams are one of the most valuable things you can do for your furry family member, whether young puppies and kittens or elderly dogs and cats. By providing your veterinarian with an annual opportunity to evaluate your pet, routine wellness checks help keep your pet healthy by keeping track of their general health and checking for early disease symptoms.

Why Visit the Vet if My Pet Is Healthy?

A veterinarian “checkup” for your dog or cat is a yearly wellness examination. Wellness examinations are performed once or twice a year when your pet seems to be in excellent health. By putting a solid emphasis on prevention and early illness diagnosis, these exams are a terrific approach that helps your pet accomplish maximum health. Click here if you’re looking for a veterinarian nearby.

By bringing your healthy dog or cat in for routine checkups, you allow your vet to monitor your pet’s overall health and look for conditions that might be challenging to detect in their early stages, such as cancer and parasites.

How Often Should Dogs and Cats Visit the Vet?

Puppies & Kittens

The growth and development of puppies and kittens transpire swiftly. From the time they are 6 to 8 weeks old until they are between 16 and 20 weeks old, they generally require wellness care visits to a veterinarian every 3 to 4 weeks. Once a year has passed since their previous visit with the puppy or kitten, their next wellness exam is typically scheduled.

Adult Dogs & Cats

Regardless of your pet type, routine care should include a yearly checkup. Immunizations, dental cleanings, physical exams, grooming appointments, desexing, and professional recommendations on any problems you may have all contribute to ensuring your pet stays healthy and lives a long and happy life. The vet might refer your pet to veterinary dermatology in Placentia, Ca if he spotted skin problems.

Senior Dogs & Cats

Pets age more quickly than people, so once they reach their senior years, it’s a good idea to take them to the veterinarian every six months. Medium-sized dogs go through this change at the age of 7, gigantic breeds a year or two early, and cats and tiny dogs a little later.

What Happens During Routine Exams?

Your pet will get a physical examination by your veterinarian, which often includes any or all of the following:

• Listening to the heart and lungs of your pet
• Checking out the position, speed, and weight of your dog or cat
• Looking for signs of excessive tearing, discharge, redness, cloudiness, or problems with the eyelids in your pet
• Inspecting your pet’s teeth for any signs of periodontal disease, injury, or decay
• Looking for a few problems on your pet’s skin, such as parasites, dryness, lumps, and pimples (especially in skin folds)
• Checking for signs of pain and examine the internal organs of your companion’s belly by palpating it
• Checking for indicators of sickness such as edema, lameness (such as a reduced range of motion), and pain by palpating your cat or dog’s body
• Examining your companion’s coat for dandruff, irregular hair loss, and general health
• Looking at your pet’s nails and feet for damage or indications of a more serious health issue
• Searching for bacterial infection, ear mites, wax buildup, or polyps in your pet’s ears

Exams and inspections check for health problems and determine a pet’s mood, as they can not communicate what they are experiencing.

Keeping Vaccines Up to Date

Vaccines secure pets against common, contagious, and potentially fatal infections. Core vaccinations are recommended for all pets, while lifestyle vaccines are often recommended for pets interacting with other animals. Adult pets need booster injections regularly, usually once every year or every three years. When a pet needs a booster shot, their vet will inform them. Check this page to learn more about vaccinations.

Preventing Parasitic Conditions & Diseases

Your vet will advise methods to stop parasites from infiltrating your animal buddy because ticks and mosquitoes transmit parasites that can enter your pet’s body and cause potentially fatal conditions. Understanding that several parasites may transmit from pets to people is vital!

Preventing parasites might help to protect your cat or dog from issues like:

• Anaplasmosis
• Babesiosis
• Ehrlichiosis
• Fleas
• Heartworm
• Hookworms
• Lyme Disease
• Roundworms
• Tapeworms
• Whipworm

What Happens Once the Exam Is Finished?

Your veterinarian will review any findings after the examination, and your pet has received annual vaccinations. If your pet exhibits any symptoms of disease or injury, your vet will take the time to talk with you about further screening or the range of potential treatments.

If your dog or cat receives a clean bill of health, your veterinarian could give advice or suggestions about your pet’s food, exercise program, dental health, or reliable parasite control.