Cat & Dog Wellness Exams
The Importance of Preventive Care
Wellness exams help your pet maintain good long-term physical health.
When combined with regular vaccinations, parasite prevention and proper nutrition, routine wellness examinations use physical checkups to help ensure that your pet has a chance at lifelong health.
When you bring in your cat or dog to our hospital for their routine checkup, our vets may be able to catch health issues early, at their most treatable.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
Your vet in Sechelt will give your cat or dog a physical checkup to gain a picture of their overall health. Routine wellness exams at our animal hospital include any of the following elements:
General Condition
Your pet's general demeanour and physical condition can provide clues to their overall health and wellbeing. The way your pet stands and walks, their weight for their size and breed, and their level of alertness can all indicate potential health issues to your vet.
Coat & Skin
In the course of your pet's checkup, we will examine their skin and coat for signs of health issues too. These can include excessive dryness, lumps and bumps, dandruff, abnormal hair loss, shedding or excessive oiliness.
Face & Head
Your pet's ears, nose and eyes will be looked over for signs of discharge or other abnormalities. We will check their mouth for symptoms of oral health problems like periodontal disease and plaque buildup.
Internal Health
Heart rate, rhythm, blood pressure and pulse are all important indicators of your pet's heart health. We will test each of these to make sure they are normal. We will also examine your pet's lungs for signs of abnormal breathing.
Lymph nodes will be checked for pain or swelling, and we will also examine the abdomen to ensure the intestines, kidneys, bladder, spleen, liver, and stomach all feel normal, and that your pet is not exhibiting any signs of discomfort.
Review of Findings
At the very end of your pet's routine wellness exam, your vet will take some time to walk through any concerns they might have about your pet's health and speak with you about their nutritional requirements.
Checkups for Puppies & Kittens
Puppies and kittens need proper medical attention in their first few weeks of life to get off to a healthy start.
We'll give your new best friend a complete physical examination, appropriate immunizations, and deworming medication. We will also test for intestinal parasites.
Please never hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have about caring for your new pet, both at your appointments or following your visits.
Once your puppy or kitten's checkup is complete, you'll return periodically for his or her required booster shots.
Seniors
With recent advances in veterinary medical knowledge and care, as well as newer therapies and better nutrition, senior pets are living longer than ever.
While this is terrific news for pets and their owners, it means that attention should be given to your pet's routine healthcare as they age. As your pet surpasses middle age, regular examinations become a good idea to help ensure their continuing health and longevity.
In addition to the routine wellness procedures we perform on all adult pets, we will give attention to your senior pet's potential geriatric conditions, such as arthritis or decreased vision.
Additional laboratory tests may be recommended for ageing pets to provide more detailed information about your senior pet's overall health and wellbeing.
Vaccinations & Prevention
During your pet's veterinary checkup at our Sechelt veterinary hospital, the vet will also check whether your animal requires preventive care, or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.