The Importance Of Wellness Exams
Wellness exams allow us to assess your pet's long-term health needs. Wellness exams form the cornerstone of your pet's long-term health, in combination with parasite prevention and vaccinations. When your pet has a strong preventive care program, including all three of these services, they normally have the best chance at excellent health.
When you bring your cat or dog in to see us for a checkup, we can tailor their vaccines and parasite preventives to their lifestyle as well as provide proactive treatments for developing health issues.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
Your Kanata vet will give your dog or cat a thorough physical checkup to get a complete picture of his or her overall health. Wellness exams at our animal clinic include the following elements:
General Condition
Your pet's general demeanor and physical condition can provide clues to its 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 pet's 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 gingivitis, tartar, and periodontal disease.
Internal Health
Heart rate, rhythm, and pulse 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 any concerns they may have about your pet's overall health and talk to you about your dog or cat's nutritional requirements.
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 will email you our puppy and kitten package to help you care for the newest member of your family.
Once your puppy or kitten’s examination is complete, we will schedule their next follow-up visit.
Seniors
With recent advances in veterinary medical knowledge and care, as well as newer 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 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 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 will be recommended for aging pets to provide more detailed information about your senior pet's overall health and well-being.