The Importance of Vet Check Up
Pet Wellness exams are critical to helping your pet maintain good long-term physical health.
Combined with regular vaccinations and parasite prevention, these routine examinations include regular physical checkups that give your pet the best chance at excellent lifelong health.
When you bring your dog or cat in for a checkup, we can prevent health issues from developing in your pet, or catch them early when they are most treatable.
We can also assess your pet's diet to ensure they are getting the appropriate amount of daily nutrients for their age, breed, and size.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
Your veterinarian will give your dog or cat a thorough physical checkup in order to get a complete picture of his or her overall health. Routine wellness exams at our animal clinic include the following elements:
General Condition
Your pet's general demeanor and physical condition can provide clues to their overall health. How they stand and walk, their level of alertness, and whether they are a healthy weight for their size are all important indicators of overall health.
Coat & Skin
During your vet checkup, we will examine your dog or cat's skin and coat for signs of problems, including excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps, bumps, dandruff, or abnormal hair loss or shedding.
Face & Head
Your pet's eyes, ears, and nose will be examined for abnormalities or discharge. We will also check the mouth for symptoms of oral health problems such as plaque buildup or periodontal disease.
Internal Health
Heart rate and rhythm, pulse, and blood pressure are vitally important to your pet's heart health. We'll test these to ensure they're normal. The lungs will then be examined for evidence of abnormal breathing.
Lymph nodes will be checked for pain or swelling, and we will also examine the abdomen to ensure the intestines, kidneys, bladder, spleen, liver, and stomach all feel normal, and that your pet is not exhibiting any signs of discomfort.
Review of Findings
At the end of your pet's wellness exam, your vet will take the time to discuss their findings and talk to you about your pet's nutritional requirements. We encourage you to ask as many questions as you'd like about your pet's appointment or any overall health concerns.
Checkups for Puppies & Kittens
Puppies and kittens need proper medical attention in their first few weeks of life to get off to a healthy start.
We'll give your new best friend a complete physical examination, appropriate immunizations, and deworming medication. We will also test for intestinal parasites.
We're here to provide you with all the guidance and advice you need during this time. Please never hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have about caring for your new pet, both at your appointments or following your visits.
Once your puppy or kitten's checkup is complete, you'll return periodically for his or her required booster shots.
Seniors
With recent advances in veterinary medical knowledge, new therapies, and better nutrition, senior pets are living longer than ever.
While this is terrific news for pets and their owners, it means that special attention needs to be given to your pet's routine healthcare as they age. As your pet surpasses middle age, regular examinations become increasingly crucial to ensure their continuing health and longevity.
In addition to the routine wellness procedures we perform on all adult pets, we will give special attention to your senior pet's potential geriatric conditions, such as arthritis or decreased vision.
Additional laboratory tests may be recommended for aging pets to provide more detailed information about your senior pet's overall health and wellbeing.
Vaccinations & Prevention
During your pet's routine veterinary exam at Trooper Veterinary Hospital, your vet will also let you know if your pet is due for any vaccinations or parasite prevention measures.