Health Exams

Wellness exams not only help flag any potential problems with your pet's health, but they are also important in creating an overall medical history for your pet. By meeting regularly with your pet, your veterinarian is able to become better acquainted with his or her personal history, and is able to offer more personalized care.

For pets who are 6 years and younger, Wellness Exams are recommended at least once a year. Because pets age much quicker than humans, for pets over 6 years of age, Wellness Exams are recommended at least twice a year, to screen for any sign of illness or diseases.

A Wellness Exam will include the following:

• A consultation with your veterinarian during which you will discuss your pet's day-to-day routine as well as any health concerns or questions you may have. You might be asked questions about his or her activity level, personality and nutrition.
• A hands-on examination performed by your veterinarian, which will assess your pet's overall health from nose to tail. Areas examined will include the abdomen, head and neck, eyes, ears, mouth and skin. In addition, the doctor will also evaluate your pet’s musculoskeletal system, as well as listen to their heart and lungs.

Other, additional annual procedures also typically performed at the time of a Wellness Exam include:

• Vaccines ̶ your veterinarian will update any necessary vaccines.
• Intestinal Parasite Exam ̶ a stool sample will be sent off to the lab to check for any worms or other intestinal parasites
• Additional Diagnostic Testing ̶ any additional diagnostic testing pertinent to your pet's life stage. This could include blood tests, urinalysis, or radiographs as needed.

Geriatric Medicine

When your pet reaches his or her "golden years" they require special care and your veterinarian will recommend certain screening tests. The tests enable your veterinarian to provide an early diagnosis for some of the common diseases that affect older pets, so that they can manage those diseases more effectively. In addition to this testing, twice-yearly examinations will be recommended to ensure your pet receives the best care as he or she ages.

This is because each year of an older animal's life is roughly equivalent to 4 human years. Our pets age much faster than we do. Therefore, we need to do all we can to watch carefully and frequently for any developing problems. The earlier we find them, the more we can do to control these problems.

If your pet is already facing an illness or disability that can come with old age, your veterinarian will work with you to maintain the highest quality of life for your pet.