Did you know that taking your pet to the vet for a wellness exam every year is vital for your pet? Pets are known for hiding illnesses, so a proper wellness exam is vital for addressing minor issues that may become problems that will affect your pet’s health and hurt your finances.
What Is a Pet Wellness Exam?
A pet wellness exam is a clinical evaluation of your cat or dog. It is a detailed physical checkup that your vet does to assess the health of your pet and address any developing health issues.
A pet wellness exam also helps avoid serious health complications in the future. For instance, if your pet is overweight and drinks and passes urine too much, they could be displaying symptoms of diabetes. The sooner the vet examines your pet, the better opportunity you have of
controlling your pet’s diabetes and improving his or her quality of life.
What Does the Vet Check During a Wellness Exam?
During the health checkup, the vet will assess the following issues.
- Weight – This will tell a lot about your pet’s nutritional health
- Teeth and gum exam – To check for any signs of dental disease and recommend a dental cleaning if necessary.
- Eye exam – To check for glaucoma, cataracts, or any other problems with your pet’s eye health and prescribe treatment or a more detailed eye exam.
- Skin infections/conditions/tumors/allergies – The vet will check for any irregularities.
- Musculoskeletal organs exam – To examine bone health, back, joint, and limb function, and check whether your pet has arthritis.
- Fleas and ticks’ exam – To check for the presence of ticks, fleas, tapeworms, and roundworms, and check for signs of Lyme disease.
- Behavior assessment – The vet will ask whether your pet is showing some behavior changes so that the vet can rule out any health issues.
Depending on the results of the wellness exam, your vet can recommend further screening and lab work.
Why Is a Wellness Exam Important for Your Pet?
Routine wellness exams are important for your pet because if caught early, potentially deadly health issues can be addressed and reversed. Besides, pets age faster than humans do, so it is important to be proactive with your furry friend’s health.
Also, during a wellness exam, your vet can check that your pet’s vaccinations are up to date and inform you when it is time to update vaccines. Thus, you will not have to worry about missing your pet’s vaccination.
How Often Does Your Pet Need a Wellness Checkup?
Most veterinarians recommend annual pet wellness exams for adult pets and every six months for senior or older cats and dogs.
Contact Your Vet
Contact your vet to book a wellness exam for your pet. Your vet can also suggest a wellness plan that is compatible with your pet’s breed (some breeds are more vulnerable to certain medical issues), lifestyle, age, and general health.
For more on the importance of a pet wellness exam, visit 4 Paws Veterinary Hospital at our office in Duffield, Virginia. You can call (276) 431-4838 today to schedule an appointment.