Keeping up with your pet’s routine care helps keep your furry friends in tip-top shape. This includes taking them in for their annual wellness exam. Our pets depend on us to take care of their health. After all, they can’t walk themselves to the vet if they feel ill like we can!
Pets age much faster than we do, and their health can change drastically in a short period of time. Even if your pet appears to be in good health and they’re current with vaccinations, these exams will play a big role in keeping your pet healthy for years to come.
Wellness exams are recommended annually for pets up to age 7. Senior pets and pets with pre-existing or recurring issues may need to see their vet more often than annually.
These exams are more than just a “checkup;” their purpose is to help maintain your pet’s optimal health. At your pet’s wellness exam, we look for changes related to behavior, diet, exercise, and general well-being.
- Complete physical examination
- Recommendations for vaccinations
- Prescription refills
- Dietary suggestions
- Blood work
- Urinalysis
- Checks for parasites in stool
As an animal owner, you play a big role in helping the vet to diagnose any issues with your pet. You are around your pet the most and can recognize any changes in behavior. Bring any notes detailing what’s going on with your pet or concerns you may have about them to an exam to discuss with your veterinarian.
Changes in your pet’s behavior or lifestyle can trigger the need for further tests. Some things to look for are:
- Loss of appetite
- Decreased activity level
- Hiding away
- Difficulty standing after lying down
- Excessive grooming in one area
- Odd posture or stance
- Sudden weight loss
Wellness exams are the key to prevention of diseases or issues. They can help with early detection of health concerns such as arthritis, obesity, dental disease, and even pet cancers. Catching these concerns early can allow treatments to be less expensive, less invasive, and more successful.
Including annual exams as a part of your pet’s healthcare routine could give them a longer and more energetic life with you. Your four-legged friends deserve the best treatment to help them thrive. To learn more about wellness exams at Grand Valley Animal Hospital or to talk about what your pet needs, contact us or call our office at 701.757.3500.
