Wellness Exams for Pets and Why They Are Important
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Many pet owners bring their pets every six months or every year to their veterinarian for wellness exams. Pet wellness exams are important in maintaining the health and well-being of pets. If you haven’t been diligent with your pet’s wellness exams, here are the things you should expect, and the main reason why these exams are important.
Routine Interview
Once the veterinarian calls you in, expect to answer some questions that will help your pet’s routine checkup. The questions will be about changes in your pet’s weight, eating or drinking habits, respiratory health, urination, and bowel movement. Your vet may also ask about scratching, panting, range of motion, and balance, especially if you have a senior pet.
Taking Your Pet’s Vital Signs
As your pet sits or lays down on the table, your veterinarian or vet tech will take your pet’s vital signs — pulse, respiratory rate, weight, and temperature. Your vet will then compare the readings with your pet’s past records. Any changes in your pet’s vital signs can signify possible health issues that need treatment. The changes will also help your vet decide what diagnostic tests your pet needs during the checkup or sometime in the future.
Pet Examination
The examination starts with your vet’s thorough inspection of your pet’s mouth, eyes, and ears. Your vet needs to see if there are symptoms in these areas. Expect your veterinarian to palpate your pet’s abdomen for any painful or swollen areas, and test your pet’s joints, legs, and feet. There will be an assessment of your pet’s reproductive organs as well. Veterinarians also use a stethoscope to check your pet’s heart and lungs.
Immunizations
A pet wellness exam is usually an opportunity for your vet to update your pet’s vaccinations. Administering vaccines will help strengthen your pet’s immunity. This will then protect your pet from contracting diseases and prevent the spread of illnesses as well. Vaccines for Lyme disease, rabies, distemper, chlamydia, feline leukemia, and hepatitis are what your pet needs.
Health Screening
Your vet will subject your pet to diagnostic screenings based on your pet’s health condition and age. Basic screenings are biochemistry, complete blood count, heartworm testing, urinalysis, X-rays, and fecal testing for parasites.
The Importance of Pet Wellness Exams
Research in the American Veterinary Medical Association emphasizes the importance of pet wellness exams. These regular checkups help your vet detect health problems early. Early detection will save you money and great heartache. Your pet will also suffer less in dealing with the health issue. Through routine pet wellness exams, you can prevent the development of life-threatening diseases. It’s normal for your pet to hide symptoms. In the animal world, showing weakness makes an animal vulnerable to predation or domination. It is best to let a veterinarian spot the problem in your pet.
Through pet wellness exams, you can help your dog or cat live a long, comfortable, and happy life. At Bridge Park Animal Hospital, we are always ready to make your pet’s wellness exam comfortable and safe. Please visit our clinic in Johns Creek, Georgia, for a walk-in consultation. You can also call us at 404-369-5291 if you want to schedule an appointment or make inquiries about our wellness exams.