The Importance of Wellness Checks
As a loving pet parent, you shower your pet with affection, indulge him with new toys, and treat him to his favorite foods. All of those things are important for his overall wellbeing, but the key to a lifetime of optimal health is to maintain routine pet wellness care appointments.
At Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital, we’re here to help you keep your pets happy and healthy throughout every life stage. Read on for information you need to know about wellness care for pets.
Why Are Wellness Checkups So Important?
Pets are masters of disguise and mystery, and it is their natural instinct to hide symptoms of weaknesses. Pet wellness care visits give us an opportunity to pull back the curtain and check for potential problems brewing in the early stages, via the following:
- A thorough nose-to-toes physical exam during which your pet’s veterinarian will take a look inside your pet’s eyes, ears, and mouth; listen to your pet’s heart; palpate the abdomen; and examine your pet’s skin.
- Age-appropriate diagnostic testing: A complete blood count, heartworm test, urinalysis, and fecal test are diagnostic tools that can reveal signs of health problems.
Additionally, wellness visits give us the chance to talk about your pet’s nutritional needs, activity level, and any health or behavioral changes you may have noticed.
Routine checkups also enable us to get to know you and your cat or dog, and having an established relationship with a veterinarian who knows your pet’s health history could prove vital in the event of a medical emergency.
How Often Do Kittens and Puppies Need Wellness Exams?
Young pets need a healthy start, and during their first year of life, they need multiple visits to get them up to date safely on recommended vaccines, deworming, and flea and tick control. We’ll also assess their overall health status and provide information regarding nutrition, grooming, and behavior. These early appointments are also when we’ll discuss microchipping and spaying/neutering.
How Often Do Healthy Adult Pets Need Wellness Exams?
For healthy adult pets under six years old, we recommend yearly pet wellness care visits so we can monitor any changes in your pet’s health and keep your pet current on vaccines and parasite prevention. We will also make recommendations regarding dental visits.
Senior Pets Have Special Needs
Senior pets deserve to be treated with special care, so we recommend visits at least twice a year to address your concerns and help your senior pet maintain optimal health and mobility. We monitor for cataracts, heart murmurs, and abdominal masses, all of which are more common in older pets.
Early Intervention Is Key
The goal of wellness care for pets is to catch diseases early on, when they may be easier (and less stressful) to treat. Please contact us to schedule a pet wellness care visit for your cat or dog, or if you have questions about our veterinary services.