The Importance of Preventive Care
Cat & dog wellness exams are critical to helping your pet maintain good long-term physical health.
Combined with regular vaccinations, parasite prevention, and proper nutrition, these routine examinations include regular physical checkups to give your pet the best chance at excellent lifelong health.
When you bring your dog or cat in for their routine checkup, we can prevent health issues from developing in your pet, or catch them early, when they are most treatable.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
Your dog or cat will receive a thorough physical examination from your Douglasville veterinarian to obtain a complete picture of his or her overall health. The following items are included in our animal clinic's routine pet wellness exams:
General Condition
The general demeanor and physical condition of your pet can reveal information about their overall health. The way they stand and walk, how alert they are, and whether or not they are a healthy weight for their size are all important indicators of overall health.
Coat & Skin
We will examine your dog or cat's skin and coat for signs of problems such as excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps, bumps, dandruff, or abnormal hair loss or shedding during your pet's checkup.
Face & Head
The eyes, ears, and nose of your pet will be checked for abnormalities or discharge. We'll also look for signs of oral health issues like plaque buildup or periodontal disease in your mouth.
Internal Health
Your pet's heart health depends on his or her heart rate and rhythm, pulse, and blood pressure. We'll check to see if they're normal. After that, the lungs will be examined for signs of abnormal breathing.
We'll check the lymph nodes for pain or swelling, and we'll examine the abdomen to make sure the intestines, kidneys, bladder, spleen, liver, and stomach are all in good working order and that your pet isn't in any pain.
Review of Findings
Your veterinarian will take the time at the end of your pet's routine wellness exam to discuss any concerns they may have about your pet's overall health and to inform you about your dog or cat's nutritional needs.
Puppies & Kittens Checkups
To get off to a healthy start, puppies and kittens require medical attention during their first few weeks of life.
We'll give your new best friend a thorough physical exam, as well as the necessary vaccinations and deworming medication. We'll also check for parasites in the intestine. You'll receive a puppy or kitten 'kit' containing educational materials and samples to assist you in caring for your new family member.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about caring for your new pet, either during your appointments or afterward.
Once your puppy or kitten's checkup is complete, you'll return periodically for his or her required booster shots.
Seniors
Senior pets are living longer than ever before thanks to recent advances in veterinary medical knowledge and care, as well as newer therapies and better nutrition.
While this is great news for pets and their owners, it does mean that your pet's routine healthcare will need to be given extra attention as they get older.
Regular examinations become increasingly important as your pet approaches middle age, ensuring their continued health and longevity.
We will pay special attention to your senior pet's potential geriatric conditions, such as arthritis or decreased vision, in addition to the routine wellness procedures we perform on all adult pets.
For aging pets, additional laboratory tests may be recommended to provide more detailed information about their overall health and well-being.
Vaccinations & Prevention
During your pet's veterinary checkup at our Douglasville animal hospital, the veterinarian will determine whether your animal requires preventive care or if routine vaccinations are due.