Why should I come in for an exam twice a year?

The physical exam is the most important aspect of your pet’s veterinary visit. Many people bring their pet to the vet’s for vaccines, illness or medication. Above and beyond all of these things, the examination is the most important reason to bring your pet in.

The exam covers the following areas:

• Heart
• Lungs
• Gums/teeth/oral structures
• Eyes
• Ears
• Lymph nodes
• Body weight and body condition
• Abdominal exam
• Skin and coat
• Orthopedic exam
• Temperature
• Rectal exam

Pets are masters at hiding disease and the exam is the doctor’s first clue as to the health of your pet. Based on this information, your veterinarian can customize a plan to decide which vaccinations, laboratory testing, imaging or procedures are appropriate for your pet. These, in turn, lead to accurate decisions regarding medications, nutrition recommendations, preventatives, or other treatments. But it all starts with the physical exam, and it’s definitely important to have it done twice a year.

This is due to the fact that dogs and cats age faster than humans (around 6-8 years to our one year). By using twice-a-year wellness exams, we detect many early stages of serious diseases that can sometimes result in death. By diagnosing these diseases earlier, we can reduce these risks thus giving your animal a longer and healthier life.

Comparative Ages of Cats and Humans