Routine Vet Visits
Your pet should attend a routine wellness exam with your veterinarian once or twice a year, even if they appear to be in good health. Regular exams allow your vet to take a look at your pet's overall health and screen for any emerging health issues. In most cases, your pet has a better chance of overcoming an illness or condition if it is caught early.
Routine exams also allow your vet to assess your pet's diet to ensure they are getting the right amount of nutrients for their age, size, and lifestyle.
How often should my pet attend a vet checkup?
How often your pet needs a vet checkup will depend on their medical history, age, and breed.
If your cat, dog, or other animal has a medical condition that requires monitoring, your vet will likely recommend more regular visits to ensure your pet's health is on the right track and that their condition remains stable.
Since your puppy or kitten requires a series of vaccinations and other preventive care measures in the first year of their life, they will require more frequent trips to the vet.
Typically, an adult dog or cat with no history of illness should see us for a vet checkup on a yearly basis. Your vet may recommend more visits based on your pet's age, breed, or other factors that could increase their chances of developing health issues.
How to Prepare
Before heading to your appointment, it's a good idea to get the following information ready for your vet. They will typically ask you about your pet's:
- Eating and drinking habits
- Recent travel history
- Current medications (names and doses)
- Past medical records, including vaccine history
- Tick bites
- Food (what kind do they eat)
- Bathroom habits
You may also want to bring a favorite blanket or toys for comfort. While dogs should be on a leash, cats should be in a carrier.
If your pet is particularly anxious, ask your vet about ways to make the appointment easier on your companion.
What does a checkup for pets involve?
When you take your pet to the veterinarian they will begin the appointment by reviewing your pet's medical history and asking if you have any specific concerns. They will also ask about your pet’s diet, exercise routine, thirst level, bowel movements, urination, and other aspects of their lifestyle and general behavior.
In some cases, you’ll be asked to collect and bring along a fresh sample of your pet’s feces so a fecal exam can be completed. A fecal exam helps to identify intestinal parasites that are otherwise difficult to detect until your pet becomes ill.
Next, the vet will physically examine your pet. The examination will usually cover the following points:
- Measuring your pet’s gait, stance, and weight
- Listening to their heart and lungs with a stethoscope
- Looking into their eyes for signs of cloudiness, discharge, excessive tearing, or redness
- Feeling your pet's body for any abnormal lumps, bumps, swelling, or signs of pain - both on their skin or internally
- Feeling the abdomen to check whether internal organs appear normal, and to check for signs of pain or discomfort
- Checking your pet’s nails and feet for signs of significant health concerns or damage
- Examining your pet’s ears for signs of wax buildup, polyps, ear mites, or bacterial infection
- Inspecting the condition of the teeth for any indications of decay, damage or periodontal disease
- Examining your furry companion’s coat to assess overall condition, as well as look for signs of abnormal hair loss or dandruff
If no issues are detected along the way, your vet will likely run through this list quickly and seamlessly. If an issue is identified, your vet will explain what they have noticed and recommend the next steps or potential treatments.
Annual vaccinations are also administered during a cat or dog checkup, based on your animal’s appropriate vaccination schedule.
Additional Diagnostic Testing Recommended for Pets
Along with the basic checkup exam points we list above, the vet may also recommend additional diagnostic testing. Remember that in many cases, early detection and treatment of disease is less expensive and less invasive than having the condition treated once it has become more advanced.
Bloodwork, urinalysis, X-rays, or a number of other tests may be recommended.
Ending the Vet Checkup
Once your pet has been examined and given any required vaccines, your vet will discuss their findings with you and take the time to answer any questions you have about your pet's health.
If the veterinarian has found any signs of injury or illness, they will recommend more detailed diagnostics or potential treatment options to help.
If your pet is healthy overall, this discussion may focus on improvements to exercise and diet routines, caring for your pet’s oral health and checking that the essentials such as appropriate parasite prevention are up to date.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding people or pets. Always consult with a vet before making medical decisions for your pet.