Pet Tip Tuesday- Physical and Wellness Exams
Importance of physical exams and wellness visits
Why should I take my pets to the vet if they are not sick or due for vaccines?
You SHOULD visit your Dr AT least once yearly for a physical exam
We want to see your pets when they are not sick
New vaccine protocols spread out visits to every other year…or longer
Our pets age much more rapidly than we do, therefore need medical treatment earlier in life.
How often should my pets have exams and wellness visits?
Ideally every 6 months for all pets- more often for puppies/kittens (vaccines) and geriatric patients
Visits this frequently for our pets are like us having an exam every 3 years!
What can a physical exam tell me?
Overall health of your pets
Weight- gains, losses
Oral health- gum disease, abscess, fractured teeth
Ocular (eye) health- cataracts, glaucoma
Ear checks- infection, wax impaction, foreign bodies
Mobility- stiffness, lameness, weakness
Cardiac health – heart murmurs, cough
What if there is something abnormal on physical exam?
We then move forward with diagnosis and treatment AFTER diagnosis
EARLY detection is the KEY to long, healthy lives
Minor changes in any region of the body can be addressed and treated BEFORE it becomes a problem for your pet
What if my veterinarian never finds anything wrong with my pets?
Congratulations! You have healthy pets!
Ask questions on what they do see at each visit
Ask how to keep your pets healthy between visits or what to watch for
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