Wellness Exams
Regular wellness exams allow your veterinarian to evaluate your pet’s general health and become aware of any health problems before they become serious illnesses. Regular wellness examinations at least once or twice a year are the most important preventive measure that you can provide for your pet. Remember, pets age at a much faster rate than humans, so a once yearly exam is similar to a human getting a physical every 5-7 years. Vaccinations are just one component of the wellness visit and to help keep your pet in optimum health, regular wellness examinations are critical.
Since your pet cannot vocalize their feelings, you must rely on regular physical examinations by a veterinarian and your at-home observations to assess your pet’s health. Your veterinarian may also wish to perform diagnostic tests to evaluate your pet’s health.
Routine blood testing, urinalysis and other tests are recommended for all pets in their “senior years.” Your veterinarian may recommend routine blood testing and urinalysis for younger pets to establish baseline values, which can be used for comparison as pets age.
What should you expect during an annual wellness exam?
Your veterinarian will request a complete history of your pet’s health. Don’t forget to mention any unusual behavior that you have noticed in your pet, including:
- coughing or sneezing
- vomiting or diarrhea
- itching or chewing at skin
- excess or decrease in eating or drinking
- panting or intolerance of exercise
- trouble rising, weakness, or imbalance
- weight loss or weight gain
It may help to make a list to bring with you of any questions or concerns that needs to be discussed with the Doctor, so nothing is forgotten at the time of exam.
Vital Statistics 
At the beginning of the exam a veterinary technician will take your pet’s temperature and body weight. A fecal sample will be obtained to monitor for any intestinal parasites. A heartworm test will be sent to the lab for dogs, and recommendations will be made for a blood profile to be sent to the lab for both dogs and cats.
Ears
The veterinarian will closely examine your pet’s ears to make sure they are healthy. The veterinarian may ask if your pet has been shaking his head or scratching at his ears, and if you have noticed an odor coming from your pet’s ears. Ear infections can be very painful to your pet, and if left untreated, chronic irritation of the ears can lead to permanent injury.
Eyes
Observation of the inner structures and outward appearances of the eyes are an important part of an eye examination.
Mouth
Your pet’s gums, teeth, tongue and palate (roof of the mouth) will be examined for any dental abnormalities, fractures, loose teeth, tumors, infection and other problems.
Heart and Lungs
A stethoscope will be used to evaluate your pet’s heart and lungs. This can help in the early detection of heart or respiratory disease.
Reproductive Organs
If your pet has not been spayed or neutered, and you are not planning on breeding your pet, the veterinarian will discuss with you the many health benefits of spaying/neutering. The veterinarian will check your pet’s reproductive system for swellings, discharges and breast lumps.
Skin
The skin is your pet's largest organ. Your pet’s skin and hair will be examined for fleas, ticks, other external parasites, wounds, as well as signs of allergies, infection, warts and tumors.
From Head to Toe
The veterinarian will feel your pet’s abdomen for any obvious abnormalities, including enlarged organs, masses or painful areas. The veterinarian will also examine your pet’s legs and feet and the condition of your pet’s joints, muscles, and lymph nodes.
Your veterinarian may recommend additional testing to diagnose or verify a health problem if they find any abnormalities during your pet’s examination. The following are a few of the basic tests that may be recommended:
Blood-Chemistry Panel
Blood-chemistry panels measure electrolytes, enzymes and chemical elements such as calcium and phosphorous. This information helps your veterinarian determine how various organs, such as the kidneys, pancreas, and liver are currently functioning. The results of these tests help your veterinarian formulate an accurate diagnosis, prescribe proper therapy, and monitor the response to treatment. Further testing may be recommended based on the results of these tests.
Complete Blood Count
This common test measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in a given sample of blood. The numbers and types of these cells give the veterinarian information needed to help diagnose problems such as anemia and infections. A complete blood count also helps your veterinarian monitor your pet’s response to some treatments.
Urinalysis
Laboratory analysis of urine is used to detect a number of substances not normally found in the urine, such as protein, sugar, white blood cells or blood. A measurement of the dilution or concentration of urine is also helpful in diagnosing some diseases. A urinalysis can assist the veterinarian in the diagnosis of urinary-tract infections, diabetes, dehydration, kidney problems and many other conditions.
Parasite Evaluation
Microscopic examination of your pet’s feces can help confirm the presence of intestinal parasites, such as roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, tapeworm and giardia.
Additional Tests
For cats, an additional routine blood test may be recommended in order to check for hyperthyroidism, a common ailment in senior cats. Additionally, depending on your individual pet’s condition and other factors, other tests and assessments might be recommended. These include heartworm tests; feline leukemia/feline immunodeficiency virus test in cats; blood pressure evaluation; urine protein evaluation; cultures; imaging such as x-rays, ultrasound, and echocardiography; electrocardiography, and special ophthalmic evaluations, among others. Additional tests become especially important in evaluating senior pets that show signs of sickness or are being prepared for anesthesia and surgery. |
