The Importance of Preventive Care
Wellness exams are critical to helping your pet maintain good long-term physical health.
Combined with up-to-date vaccinations, parasite prevention, and proper nutrition, these regular physical checkups give your pet the best chance at excellent lifelong health.
When you bring your dog or cat in for their routine check, we can both prevent health issues from developing in your pet and detect them early when they are most treatable.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
The compassionate veterinarians at our Burlington and Bellingham clinics will give your dog or cat a thorough physical checkup to get a complete picture of their overall health. Routine wellness exams at our animal clinic include the following elements:
General Condition
Your pet's general demeanor and physical condition can provide clues to their overall health. How they stand and walk, their level of alertness, and whether they are a healthy weight for their size are all important indicators of overall health.
Coat & Skin
During your pet's checkup, we will examine your dog or cat's skin and coat for signs of problems, including excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps, bumps, dandruff, 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 signs of 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 exam, your vet will take the time to discuss any concerns they may have about your pet's overall health and talk to you about your dog or cat's nutritional requirements.
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 best friend a complete physical examination, appropriate immunizations, 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, whether during your appointments or afterward.
Once your puppy or kitten's checkup is complete, we'll see them periodically for their required booster shots.
Seniors
With recent advances in veterinary medical knowledge and care practices, treatments and therapies, and pet nutrition, senior pets are living longer and better lives than ever.
While this is terrific news for pets and their owners, it also means that special attention needs to be given to your pet's routine healthcare as they age. As your pet passes middle age, regular examinations become increasingly crucial to ensure their continuing health and longevity.
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 wellbeing.
Vaccinations & Prevention
During your pet's veterinary checkup at our Burlington and Bellingham animal hospitals, the vet will also check whether your animal requires specialized or preventive care, or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.