Routine wellness exams help to keep your pet healthy by giving your vet a yearly opportunity to examine your four-legged family member for early signs of disease and to monitor your pet's overall health. Here, our Oklahoma City vets explain what to expect when you bring your dog or cat in for a routine exam.
Why have a wellness exam if my pet is healthy?
Your pet's annual wellness exam is a veterinary 'check-up' for your cat or dog. Wellness exams - or pet checkups - take place once or twice a year while your pet appears to be perfectly healthy. These examinations are a great way to help your pet achieve optimal health by focusing on prevention and early disease detection. By taking your healthy dog or cat in to see their vet regularly, you give your veterinarian the opportunity to monitor your pet's overall health and check for diseases that can be difficult to spot in the early stages (such as cancers and parasites).
How often should my pet have a routine wellness exam?
The recommended frequency of your pet's wellness exams depends upon your pet's age, previous medical history, lifestyle, and breed risk for developing diseases. If your animal is healthy at the moment but has a history of illness or a higher than average risk of developing a disease, seeing your vet twice a year can help to ensure that your pet stays as healthy as possible.
For adult pets in good health yearly wellness exams are often ideal.
Animals that are very young or very old tend to be more susceptible to illness. If you have a new puppy or kitten it can be a good idea to visit your vet once a month for the first 4 - 6 months.
If you have a senior pet at high risk of disease, such as a giant breed dog, we recommend twice-yearly wellness exams. This allows your veterinarian to check your pet for the earliest signs of disease and begin treatment before the condition worsens.
What does a dog or cat wellness exam consist of?
When you bring your pet in for a wellness exam, your vet will review its medical history and ask if there is anything about your dog or cat's health or behavior that concerns you. Your veterinarian will also inquire about your pet's diet, lifestyle, exercise routine, level of thirst, and urination.
Many veterinarians request that pet owners bring along a fresh sample of their pet's stool (bowel movement) in order for a fecal exam to be performed. Fecals are a valuable tool when it comes to detecting intestinal parasites that can severely impact your pet's health.
Next, your veterinarian will perform a physical examination of your pet which generally includes the following:
- Weighing your pet
- Checking the animal's stance and gait for irregularities
- Examining your pet's feet and nails for damage or signs of more serious health concerns
- Listening to your animal's heart and lungs
- Taking a close look at your dog or cat's skin for issues such as dryness, parasites, or lumps
- Inspecting the overall condition of your pet's coat, watching for dandruff or bald patches
- Checking eyes for redness, cloudiness, eyelid issues, excessive tearing, or discharge
- Examining your pet's ears for signs of bacterial infection, ear mites, wax build-up, or polyps
- Looking at your pet's teeth for any indication of periodontal disease, damage or tooth decay
- Feeling along your pet's body (palpating) for signs of illness such as swelling, evidence of lameness such as limited range of motion, and signs of pain
- Palpate your pet's abdomen to access whether the internal organs appear to be normal and to check for signs of discomfort
All of these checks and more can be done quickly and easily if no issues are detected along the way. No doubt your vet will continue to chat with you as they perform this comprehensive examination.
Annual vaccines will also be given at your pet's wellness exam, based upon the appropriate schedule for your cat or dog. Vaccinations for puppies and kittens, as well as booster shots for adult dogs and cats, are an important part of giving your animal their very best chance at a long and happy life. Keeping your pet up to date on vaccines throughout their life will help to protect your furry friend against a range of contagious, potentially serious, diseases and conditions.
Why is my veterinarian recommending extra tests for my dog or cat?
Your veterinarian may recommend additional wellness testing in addition to the general checks listed above. When deciding whether to have additional testing done on your dog or cat, keep in mind that in many cases, early detection and treatment of disease is less expensive and less invasive than treating the condition once it has advanced.
The following tests screen for a range of conditions and can help detect the very earliest signs of disease, even before symptoms appear:
- Complete blood count (CDC)
- Thyroid hormone testing
- Urinalysis
If you have a senior pet or a giant breed dog, more detailed diagnostic testing may also be recommended including x-rays and other imaging.
How long to vet check-ups for dog and cats take?
This is a hard question because there are many factors that go in to how long a vet appointment can take. These can include how busy it is that day, whether your pet requires vaccinations, or if we do indeed find something that concerns us. If all goes well, the check-up should take about 15-20 minutes. However, it's probably a good idea to set aside 45-minutes to an hour, just to be on the safe side.
What happens once the examination is complete?
Once the examination is complete, and your pet has received their annual vaccines, your vet will take the time to discuss any findings with you.
If your veterinarian has detected any signs of illness or injury, they will take the time to speak to you about more detailed diagnostics, or available treatment options.
If your dog or cat is given a clean bill of health, your vet may offer tips or recommendations regarding your pet's diet and exercise routines, oral health, or appropriate parasite prevention.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
