Regular examinations will help keep your pet healthy and happy. Most pets need either annual or every six-month visits. This is because pets age an average of 7 times faster than humans and so by the time they reach around 7 years old they are considered middle-aged or geriatric depending on the breed. Typical components of a wellness examination include:
- Checking the central nervous center
- Checking and cleaning the ears, treating if required
- Checking joints and mobility
- Checking skin and condition of coat
- Checking urinary and reproductive systems
- Dental examination
- Eye examination
- Listen to the heart
- Listen to the lungs
- Observation of alertness and response
- Palpate the abdomen checking for painful areas and/or growths or tumors
- Physical examination of the rest of the body for unusual lumps
- Weight check
Other tests that your pet may be given include:
- Heartworm testing (otherwise known as blood parasite screening)
- Canine Fecal testing. This allows the veterinarian to check for the presence of internal parasites such as hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms.
- Blood work. Blood tests screen for infection or disease that may not otherwise be detected through a physical examination. Blood work also allows a veterinarian a comprehensive assessment of your pets’ health.