Getting a regular wellness check for your pets is their perfect chance to have a long and healthy life. It might feel like an unnecessary expense for many owners, especially if your pet looks just fine; however, remember that most conditions do not reveal their symptoms right away. Throughout the appointment, your vet may ask you certain questions about your pet’s health or behavior. The procedure that will be done for your pet’s exam may depend on the monitoring of your veterinarian.
Is the Wellness Examination Important?
Our pets age faster than us. That’s why it is crucial to make sure that they have regular checkups considering that they are more prone to health conditions as they get older. It would also depend on your pet’s health condition, breed, and lifestyle to determine how often they should have a wellness assessment. If it’s your first time going to a vet clinic to get your pet checked, here is what your vet would probably do. You can click on find out here to see more information.
Observation
The very first thing your vet will do is to observe your pet. They will examine your pet’s overall body condition to see if they have the ideal weight and muscle. They will also check the skin to see if it is dry, if there is dandruff, and look for oiliness. The eyes will also be examined if there is redness, tearing on their cornea, and discharge. To see tartar build-up, excessive salivation, and periodontal disease, their mouth will also be checked. You can search online for “cat check up” to learn more.
Auscultation and Palpation
Same with how human lungs and heart are examined, your veterinarian will also pay attention to their heart rate, rhythms, and murmurs. As for the palpation, your veterinarian will feel the lymph nodes in the neck, hind legs, and head to look for swelling or pain from touching it. They will also feel the abdominal area in the locations of kidneys, liver, intestines, and bladder to assess if they appear to be normal and if there is any evidence of pain. You can click here to see more about these examinations.
Questions and Recommendations
Prior to your consultation, it is important that you keep in mind your personal monitoring of your pet’s behavior at home. That is to be prepared for any questions your vet may ask regarding their lifestyle, exercise routine, diet, habits, bowel and urination patterns, and general health. This is also when your veterinarian may advise adjustments in their diet, vitamins and medications they should be taking, and instructions as to how you should respond to emergency situations based on their findings after the consultation.
Conclusion
Expect that there will be a lot your veterinarian will check for a thorough examination and accurate medical diagnosis about your pet’s health condition. Having a wellness check for your pets is vital in order for them to have and maintain optimal health. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, recommendations and share everything you observe at home. Keep in mind that even the tiniest information can be a huge assistance to determine the condition of your pet, so make sure not to miss or overlook anything during your discussion.