Why are wellness exams important?

Having pets run, play, and participate in all the activities of their families as they grow, change, and mature is the picture of a full life. Pet preventive health care can maximize the fullness of that life both in terms of what your pet can do and for how long.

What is included with a wellness exam?

When it comes to a pet’s comprehensive exam it is much like a human checkup except instead of head to toe, we call it snout to tail. First, we discuss your pet’s history with you while getting to know your pet and putting him/her at ease (we have peanut butter and cheese!). During the discussion about your pet’s history, we will begin taking their vitals and other information to look for any issues and to have a baseline for what is normal for your fur-baby. Your pet’s weight will be recorded and an inspection of his body systems will be performed to check for any abnormalities. If a blood test, vaccination, or other treatment is needed, it will be done towards the end of the exam. Your pet’s appointment is complete once all of your concerns have been addressed and everything appears normal. If there are abnormalities, we may need to order further testing to find out why. You and the doctor will discuss any needed treatment options and make a decision together before moving forward.

Why is this so important?

Your pet cannot tell you that something is off with their bodies. In fact, it is natural for an animal to hide symptoms from an evolutionary standpoint because it shows weakness to other animals. When you bring your pet in for his/her wellness check, we can treat them with preventative care to ensure they are free from parasites, cavities, and other conditions. Our doctors will be able to catch a problem before it grows out of control. Preventative medicine is lifesaving for pets.