Regular veterinary checkups, also known as wellness exams for pets, are the best way to ensure your cat or dog’s long-term health and high quality of life. You may be wondering what happens during your pet’s checkups to make them so important. You will find out the answer to that question today.
What does a veterinarian look for during a physical exam?
The doctors will conduct casual check ups for both cats and dogs and will do a thorough examination if your pet visits the vet for a routine checkup or an illness. We can determine your pet’s health status quickly thanks to this examination and the information you provide about their daily activities and home care. The steps below are typical, but each veterinarian has a routine for performing a physical exam:
- Examine how your pet acts. This provides your veterinarian with information about your pet’s mental state and whether they appear friendly, anxious, or hostile.
- Examine your pet’s sitting, standing, and walking motions for pain, stiffness, weakness, or swaying.
- Look for edema, asymmetry, or discharge on your pet’s face.
- Examine your pet’s ears and eyes for disease, growth, or infection signs.
- Examine your pet’s teeth for health, look for masses, and inspect their mouth for signs of dehydration or anemia.
- Examine your pet’s superficial lymph nodes for enlargements that could indicate tumors, infections, or inflammation.
- The veterinarian will examine your pet’s chest for typical heart and lung rhythms and sounds.
- Examine your pet’s abdomen for any painful or enlarged organs.
- Look for lumps on your pet’s skin or muscles.
- Examine your pet’s skin for lesions and parasites.
- An orthopedic examination is carried out to check for joint stiffness or pain.
- Check your pet’s temperature to see if they are cold or feverish.
They may be able to make a diagnosis based solely on examination and history. Your pet may require additional diagnostic tests from a vet lab in San Diego to confirm a suspected condition occasionally.
What is the significance of routine veterinary examinations?
Even if your pet appears in good health, you should schedule an annual physical examination with your veterinarian. The wellness exams assist your pet in achieving and maintaining optimal health. Regular vet visits for your healthy pet allow the doctor to evaluate your pet’s overall health and well-being.
They will examine your pet for illness and disease, looking for ailments that are best treated when discovered early. During the examination, your veterinarian hopes to detect early signs of disease and prevent the onset of pre-existing conditions. They can be dealt with before they become more severe issues.
Considering the Cost
If you still believe that getting your healthy pet checked out is too expensive, consider the following. Consider how much money you could save by getting routine wellness exams instead of paying for more severe conditions.
They will also take care of any medical issues your dog or cat may have to keep them as comfortable and pain-free as possible. A medical condition can be diagnosed and treated more quickly if detected early. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for successful outcomes, ensuring regular wellness exams benefit you and your beloved pet.
Conclusion
Regular care for any pet should include an annual trip to the veterinarian. Vaccinations, dental and physical examinations, grooming appointments, spaying or neutering, and expert advice on your concerns all impact your pet’s health and happiness.
