A wellness exam for your pet is like a physical exam for humans. It is designed to detect any diseases and to ensure that the pet is living a healthy life. But, while you have your physical once a year, a pet needs its exam at least two times a year. Pets age faster than people do.
A startling report given by the American Veterinary Medical Association indicates that visits to the vet are declining in America. Consequently, the instances of preventable illnesses among pets are increasing. This is alarming, seeing that the number of pets has grown considerably. With this information, you need to ensure that your pet is safe from these diseases. Among the first steps to take is to ensure your pet has regular wellness exams.
What Happens During A Wellness Exam?
A wellness exam serves two primary purposes: preventative care and early intervention for issues identified.
The exam starts with the vet examining your pet’s current health and history. He or she may also ask questions about the pet’s lifestyle. After this, the vet examines the pet, from its head to its tail.
During the test, all the pet’s organs are of interest. The vet examines the mouth, eyes, ears, heart, lungs, abdomen, lymph nodes, and musculoskeletal system. He or she also records the animal’s temperature, respiration rate, weight, and pulse. The bloodwork and bone intensity are of interest too. The pet may also have mammograms and dental cleaning.
Following the testing, the vet makes recommendations to boost your pet’s health. The advice may touch on issues of behavior, dental care, managing pain, and proper nutrition. If the pet needs any vaccination, the vet may issue it then or schedule it for another day.
Note that in future visits, the vet may also screen the pet for intestinal parasites and heartworms. These tests help to discover and prevent zoonotic diseases, the kind your pet can pass to you.
Regular Wellness Exams Are Important
Besides prevention and early intervention, a wellness exam is also good for behavioral reasons. It’s hard to tell when your pet feels unwell because they are genetically adapted to hide pain and illness. Through the wellness exam, the vet can identify early signs of some conditions and intervene in time. Early detection reduces the severity of diseases like kidney disease, arthritis, diabetes, dental disease, obesity, and ear infection.
The Right Interval Between Wellness Exams
The frequency of wellness exams depends on the size, age, and breed of your pet. For every human year, your pet gains five to seven years. This means that if your pet is eight years, its health is equivalent to that of a 40 to a 56-year-old human. Since pets have a short life span, about 14 years, over nine years, pets need more preventative care. It helps to get ahead of potentially serious conditions that come with old age. The ideal interval between wellness exams is six months, especially for senior pets.
What To Expect During The Wellness Exam
In general, a wellness exam is quick. The kind meant for the cat is almost like that designed for dogs. Also, expect the vet to notice conditions that you could not detect yourself.
To schedule your pets’ wellness exams, contact the Country Veterinary Clinic in Live Oak, California at 530-491-4500 to request an appointment.
