Wellness Visits:  Keeping your pet healthy, happy, and fit… for life!

It's Spring!  Time to shake off the winter blues and get active.

Is your pet ready for the warm weather?  Now's the perfect time to schedule your dogs and cats for their yearly wellness exams.

What is a Wellness Exam?

A wellness exam is a medical check-up for your pet.  The veterinarian will first take a history, asking you all about your pet's activities, her diet, and any concerns you may have about her.

Your pet will then be thoroughly examined.  All of her body systems will be evaluated - from the tip of her nose to the tip of her tail, and everything in between. Finally, samples will be collected for lab analysis.  Typically blood and stool samples are needed, and, in some cases, a urine sample is evaluated as well.

Why does my pet need a Wellness Exam?

Having your pet examined once yearly by your family vet is the most important aspect of your pet's health care. 

- During a wellness exam, problems can be diagnosed during their early, more treatable stages, allowing us to prevent painful, or even life-threatening, complications.

- Prevention is practical.  During your pet's wellness visit, your veterinarian will discuss important preventative practices like heartworm prevention, regular fecal tests, tooth brushing, vaccinations, and flea control.  Preventing disease is always less expensive than treating disease. 

- Your pet hides subtle signs of illness.  Even the most intuitive pet parent will miss the early signs of disease because it is your pet's nature to hide sickness and pain for as long as possible.  Conditions frequently revealed during wellness exams include arthritis, ear infections, tooth decay, abdominal pain, and heart disease.

- During regular wellness visits, your veterinarian gets to know your pet's unique attributes, allowing her to recommend the best possible care throughout your pet's life.  Also, you establish a rapport with the vet and her staff, so that you can work together to keep your pet happy and healthy for years to come.