Cat & Dog Routine Checkups
Importance of Preventive Care
Routine exams are critical to helping your cat or dog maintain good long-term physical health.
Combined with regular vaccinations, parasite prevention and proper nutrition, these routine examinations include regular physical checkups to make sure your pet is happy and healthy.
When you bring your dog or cat in for their routine wellness checkup, we can catch health issues early, preventing them from progressing further in your pet. It is important to catch health issues early, when they are most treatable.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Wellness Exam
Your Woodstock vet will give your dog or cat a physical checkup in order to get a complete picture of his or her overall health. Routine wellness exams at our clinic include the following elements:
General Condition
Your pet's general attitude and physical condition can provide clues to their overall health. Their level of alertness, how they stand and move, and whether they are a healthy weight for their size are all important indicators of your pet's overall health.
Coat & Skin
During your dog or cat's checkup, we will examine your cat or dog's skin and coat for signs of problems, including excessive oiliness or dryness, dandruff, bumps, lumps, or abnormal hair loss or shedding.
Face & Head
Your pet's eyes, ears, and nose will be examined for abnormalities or discharge. We will also check the mouth for symptoms of oral health problems such as plaque buildup or periodontal disease.
Internal Health
Heart rate and rhythm, pulse, and blood pressure are vitally important to your pet's heart health. We'll test these to ensure they're normal. The lungs will then be examined for evidence 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 end of your pet's routine wellness checkup, your vet will discuss with you any concerns they may have about your pet's overall health and talk to you about the nutritional requirements specific to your dog or cat.
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 companion a complete physical examination, appropriate vaccinations, and deworming medication. We will also test for intestinal parasites. You'll be provided with a puppy or kitten 'kit' filled with educational material and samples to help you care for the newest member of your family.
Please never hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have about caring for your new pet, both at your puppy or kitten's checkup or following your visits.
Once your pet'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 enhanced therapies and improved nutrition, senior pets are living longer than ever.
While this is terrific news for pets and their owners, it means that special attention needs to be given to your dog or cat's routine healthcare as they age. As your pet advances with age, regular examinations become increasingly important to ensure their continuing health and well-being.
In addition to the routine wellness procedures we perform on all adult pets, we will give special attention to your senior pet's potential geriatric conditions, such as arthritis or decreased vision.
Additional laboratory tests may be recommended for aging pets to provide more detailed information about your senior pet's overall health and well-being.
Vaccinations & Prevention
During your pet's vet checkup at our Woodstock animal hospital, you will be notified if any preventative care is required for your dog or cat, or if any routine vaccinations are needed.