Pet wellness exams should be a regular part of your pet's life, starting when it is a puppy or kitten. Younger animals might need to be brought in regularly, depending on the recommendation of a veterinarian. Once your pets reach adulthood, it's sufficient to bring them in once a year for a checkup. As a pet starts to reach old age, a veterinarian on our team may ask you to bring him in more often than that to track his progress and watch for new problems. Here's a closer look at pet wellness exams. If you need pet care at a Huntsville, AL, animal hospital, we at Huntsville Animal Clinic are here to help.
The Process of a Pet Wellness Exam
If it is your first visit to our animal hospital, you will likely fill out some brief paperwork on your pet. Once it is time for your appointment, you and your pet will go into an examination room with the vet. As the vet carries out the exam, you may be asked a lot of questions about your pet. You know your animal better than we do, so be prepared to talk about his overall health and behavior. Questions that you might be asked include:
- What is your pet eating, how frequently, and at what portion size?
- How active is your pet? Does he or she get enough exercise?
- How much water does the pet drink?
- Is there anything unusual about the pet's elimination patterns?
You will also be asked about your pet's behavior patterns, lifestyle, and general health. The purpose of all these questions is to get a sense of your dog or cat's overall health. If you have noticed anything that seems "off" about your pet's health, behavior, or appearance, you should mention it to the veterinarian during the wellness exam. This helps us to ensure that nothing is overlooked when examining your pet.
While this conversation is going on, the vet will be conducting a physical exam on your pet. The animal's weight may be taken and the vet might observe your pet's movement and overall appearance. The eyes, ears, nose, skin, and fur may all be checked.
Screening Tests in a Pet Wellness Exam
Depending on the observations of the vet, we may order some screening tests. This is to check for underlying health problems that will have better outcomes if detected early.
At the conclusion of the wellness exam, the veterinarian might make specific recommendations when it comes to your pet's diet, activity level, or other factors.
Get Pet Care from a Vet at Our Animal Clinic
If you would like to get your dog or cat on a regular schedule of pet wellness exams at an animal clinic, contact us at Huntsville Animal Clinic in Huntsville, AL, to schedule your first appointment. Call us at (256) 534-5581 for more information.