At North Wake Animal Hospital, our vets use routine pet checkups to focus on preventative care. These routine exams help to make sure that your pet is in good health.
The Importance of Pet Preventive Care
Wellness exams are key to maintaining your pet's physical health in the long-term.
When combined with regular vaccinations, parasite prevention and nutritional counselling, routine exams use regular physical checkups and more to give your pet their best chance at good long-term health and happiness.
When you bring your pet to us for a routine check-up, we can intervene and prevent health issues from ever developing in your pet, or catch them early at their most treatable.
What to Expect During Your Dog or Cat's Checkup
The vet will give your pet a thorough physical examination to get a complete picture of his or her overall health and speak with you about their daily nutrition. An exam includes the following elements:
General Condition
Your pet's demeanor and their physical condition can be good indicators of their health. The way your pet stands, walks, how alter they are and their weight for their size are all important factors in determining how healthy they are.
Coat & Skin
We will carefully check you pet's coat and skin for signs of issues like oiliness or dryness, bumps and lumps, dandruff or abnormal hair loss or shedding.
Face & Head
Your pet's ears, nose and eyes will be examined for issues as well, including discharge or other abnormalities. We will also examine their mouth for symptoms of oral health issues like periodontal disease or tooth decay.
Internal Health
Your pet's pulse, blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm are incredibly important to your pet's heart health (and overall health too!). We'll test these to ensure they're normal. The lungs will then be examined for evidence of abnormal breathing.
We will check your pet's lymph nodes for swelling or pain as well as their abdomen for issues with their kidneys, liver, intestines, stomach and spleen among other organs.
Checkups for Puppies & Kittens
Puppies and kittens require proper medical attention throughout their first weeks of life in order to start their lives as health as possible.
We will conduct a full physical examination on your new family member, including administration of the proper immunizations and deworming medications. We will also provide you with a kitten or puppy kit. This kit will be filled with educational materials and samples to help you care for your newest family member.
Don't hesitate to contact us with any concerns or questions you might have about your new puppy or kitten, Either at your vet checkups, or after your visit.
Once your pet's initial appointment is complete, you'll return periodically for his or her required booster shots.
Checkups for Senior Dogs & Cats
With recent advances in veterinary medical care and pet nutrition, senior pets are living longer than ever. As your pet ages, regular dog and cat checkups become even more important to ensure their continued good health.
On top of the routine wellness procedures we provide for all adult pets, we give senior pets special attention and stay on the lookout for age-related conditions like decreased vision and arthritis. Extra lab tests will also be used to give you more information about your senior pet's overall health throughout their golden years.
Vaccinations & Prevention
During your dog or cat's checkup, the veterinarian will also check whether they require preventive care, or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.