A wellness exam is like a yearly physical for your pets, and is the first step to ensuring your pet’s overall health. One of the top priorities of wellness exams for your pets is to detect the warning signs of diseases early and to have your veterinarian in D’Iberville, MS ensure that your pet is properly cared for. General wellness exams are considered to be preventative care and can help your pet live a long and happy life.
Due to the particular needs of your pet, it is incredibly important that your pet receive preventative care from a qualified veterinarian in D’Iberville, MS, and especially a general wellness exam, at least once a year. This number should increase to two visits a year for pets over the age of nine.
What happens during a wellness exam?
During a wellness exam, a trained veterinarian in D’Iberville, MS will take a series of steps in order to ensure that your pet is healthy. First, they will take a brief survey of the lifestyle of your pet. Next, the temperature, pulse and respiration rates will be recorded. Your veterinarian or a member of their staff will also weigh your pet.
After these preliminary steps, your vet will conduct a thorough examination of your furry companion. Special attention is paid to the eyes, ears, mouth, lymph nodes, heart, lungs, abdomen and skeletal system. From this examination, your vet can make any needed recommendations about how to improve your dog’s or cat’s overall health. These recommendations may include dental care, nutritional counseling, behavioral modifications, pain management and vaccinations.
Your vet may also inform you whether it’s time to conduct any annual heartworm tests or intestinal parasite screenings. They will also check your pet’s behavior in order to ensure that they are leading a happy life. This may include evaluating how your pet walks and stands, the state of their coat, how alert they are and the overall condition of their body and skin.
Lastly, based on the physical examination and any lab work that has been performed, your vet will make any recommendations to help achieve and maintain the optimal level of health for your pet. This may include changes to their exercise regimen, diet or medication.
Why are wellness exams important?
The average household pet is genetically predisposed to conceal any illness. But by visiting the vet for wellness exams at least once a year, preventable diseases such as obesity, ear infections and dental disease can be caught before they become much larger issues. In addition, these exams provide an opportunity for early screenings for arthritis, diabetes and kidney disease. The results of a wellness exam can help detect or even prevent diseases that could keep your pet from enjoying a long and healthy life.
To ensure that your pet is happy and healthy throughout their entire life, trust the team at D’Iberville Veterinary Hospital for all of your pet’s health care needs, including annual wellness exams. Contact us today to schedule your pet’s next general wellness exam or inquire about any other health concerns you may have.