What to Expect at Your Dog or Cat’s Annual Wellness Examination

What to Expect at Your Dog or Cat’s Annual Wellness Examination Your pet is a member of your family and is completely dependent on you for their routine and wellness care. As an owner, you should be doing everything in your ability to give your furry friend the best life possible with access to healthcare as needed. Unlike humans, your dog or cat cannot tell you when they are suffering from an ache or illness, this is why it is up to you to speak for them and get them the quality help that they need. Of course, this usually starts with ensuring they have regular visits to the veterinarian.

If you have just purchased a new dog or cat or have owned them for years, you should be taking them to the vet annually for wellness exams. When taking your furry companion to the veterinarian, you should ask for an all-encompassing examination, which often includes vaccinations, preventative measures, and testing. The exact methods used will vary depending on the breed, age, and current health issues. However, these exams are usually fairly quick but can be crucial to identifying underlying issues that need addressed.

Most wellness exams start with a basic physical, which is where the vet will look for a variety of health issues across your pet’s body. They will listen to their heart and lungs, examine eyes, ears, and throat. At this time, the vet will often rub down the dog or cat’s body to check for lumps or bumps, paying special attention to the abdomen area for abnormalities. This is also when they make take their temperature, weight them, and do a basic dental exam.

The physical part of the examination will also check the lymph nodes for any swelling or abnormalities. For older breeds especially, joins will be examined to ensure they are still functioning properly. Usually, your vet will check the mucus membranes at this time for abnormalities. This is to identify any internal organ diseases or anemia.

Of course, during these annual examinations is when you should bring up any issues you may have noticed with your pet. You should pay special attention to changes in behavior, appetite, signs of upset stomach like diarrhea or vomiting, etc. Many older dogs and cats will become more lethargic, but noticeable drops in energy or changes in attitude should always be noted.

Identifying these issues and getting appropriate treatment for them is key to a longer, healthier life.

During this routine care, your pet will also be given any vaccinations that they are missing or need at the time. These vaccines are often given to prevent contagious diseases like distemper, rabies, and parvovirus. This is especially important in puppies and kittens as they have an underdeveloped immune system, making them susceptible to these illnesses. You should always check with your vet to see which vaccines are needed, as not all need to administered annually.

Depending on the health of your pet, you should also opt for any screenings that may be needed to identify any underlying issues. Some vets will recommend blood work or fecal tests if your dog or cat has been showing some health issues recently. This is an easy way to identify what could be causing the issues and decide on a route to work on these issues. Overall, these wellness exams should ensure your dog or cat is in top shape physically, provide them with vaccinations needed, do any additional screenings necessary, and help create a course of action for further care addressing any findings of the examinations.

Powell Veterinary Service is a veterinary office in Kersey, Colorado who has been serving the area since 1991. They offer a combination of the latest technology and down home compassion to offer your pets the best possible care. They are ready to be with you during every step of your pet ownership, from the first checkup and shots to the awful, but unavoidable, final moments.

They work diligently to ensure that your pet feels comfortable during all visits whether they be a simple tooth cleaning or a complex surgery. Also, they offer emergency visits and at home visits to their regular patients. If you have a pet or are becoming a pet owner, now is the time to schedule your first appointment with them, you can visit their website to learn more. https://powellvets.com/