Regular veterinary exams are the cornerstone to identifying health issues in your cat or dog before their condition progresses. It is essential your loyal companion has yearly veterinary exams from their puppy/kitten stage through to their golden years. These visits also provide the opportunity for you to voice your concerns about any developments in your pet and get our professional opinions. To learn more about your loyal companion’s health status, reach out to our team at 780-481-5678 to schedule a visit.

How often should my pet have a veterinary exam?

The recommended frequency for wellness exams is often determined by your pet’s age and health status.

Puppies and kittens experience rapid changes, so it is recommended that they start seeing a veterinarian early. They should have a wellness visit every 3 to 4 weeks starting from 6-8 weeks-old until they are between 16-20 weeks-old.

Adult cats and dogs who are generally in good health should have one veterinary exam each year.

Senior pets should have a veterinary exam every 6 months. It’s imperative that these visits are maintained as senior pets experience more rapid health changes than humans.

What happens during a veterinary exam?

Veterinary exams allow our veterinarians to thoroughly assess every aspect of your cat or dog’s health. Our team performs various tests to ensure your pet is growing and aging as they should. Here’s everything that we offer during veterinary exams:

1. A full physical exam - the veterinarian will check for any early signs of health issues. We examine them from nose to tail, listen to their lungs and heart, assess their body condition score and watch how your pet moves to identify if they’re in any pain.
2. Measure your pet’s weight, respiration rate and temperature. Doing this yearly our team can monitor any changes and determine what is normal for your loyal companion.
3. Diagnostic testing - this will include bloodwork and urinalysis, during some visits your veterinarian may also recommend a fecal exam, heartworm testing or FeLV or FIV test.
4. Discussion for preventative care. To keep your pet’s health in good condition your veterinarian will recommend necessary vaccination, parasite prevention, microchipping, dental care and grooming routines.