Wellness Care
Wellness care for your pet is made up of preventative vet visits to keep them healthy. Continue reading here to learn about how our doctors examine your pet, what they look for during the exam.
A pet exam is a comprehensive evaluation of the pet's condition. When we are asked about our wellness exams, we refer to this page.
What exactly is your veterinarian looking for during a visit, and why is this so important?
FELINE EXAM:
The mouth and teeth are checked for signs of periodontal disease and gingivitis. Lymph nodes and glands are checked for abnormalities in size, shape, and texture that often occur with the onset of disease or infection. The skin and coat are checked for dehydration, hair loss, mats, rashes, growths, and evidence of parasites. The legs and joints are checked for a normal range of motion, signs of discomfort, tenderness, and other abnormalities. Ears are checked for signs of infection such as pain, tenderness, redness, swelling, abnormal odor, and any discharge. Eyes are checked for abnormal sensitivities that could be related to disease, tears, and infection, such as discharge, irritation, discoloration, abnormal movement or reaction to light. The heart and lungs are checked for irregular beats and rhythms, wheezing and other abnormal sounds. The abdomen is checked for irregularities in the size, shape, thickness, and texture of the liver, spleen, kidneys, intestines, and bladder.
CANINE EXAM:
The mouth and teeth are checked for signs of periodontal disease and gingivitis. Lymph nodes and glands are checked for abnormalities in size, shape, and texture that often occur with the onset of disease or infection. The skin and coat are checked for dehydration, hair loss, mats, rashes, growths, and evidence of parasites. The legs and joints are checked for normal range of motion, signs of discomfort, tenderness, and other abnormalities. Ears are checked for signs of infection such as pain, tenderness, redness, swelling, abnormal odor and any discharge. Eyes are checked for abnormal sensitivities that could be related to disease, tears, and infection, such as discharge, irritation, discoloration, abnormal movement or reaction to light. The heart and lungs are checked for irregular beats and rhythms, wheezing and other abnormal sounds. The abdomen is checked for irregularities in the size, shape, thickness, and texture of the liver, spleen kidneys, intestines, and bladder.
(One thing you won’t see on these lists is the passive exam that is done during their physical exam that evaluates your pet’s behavioral and neurological responses. )