Why do we need to take our pets to the vet regularly? A common belief among pet owners is that pets should not be taken to the doctor unless there is an obvious medical problem. This is not the way to take care of your pet, as regular trips to the animal clinic help track your pet’s development and allow your vet to spot any problems that may be hiding beneath the surface.
Your vet can diagnose or treat these problems and provide treatment or preventative measures. This is why annual checkups for your animal buddy are essential.
What does a vet do during a routine checkup?
The healthiest pets are those that get regular checks with their veterinarian, often known as wellness examinations. Your pet’s health is best monitored annually so that your vet can catch any developing problems in their early, more treatable stages.
In addition, vaccinations and anti-parasite drugs are part of the high-quality preventative care provided during regular checkups for your beloved pet. Time and money spent on wellness exams for your pet pay off in the form of a long, healthy life for them. So when you take your pet in for their next checkup, here’s what vets normally do.
Conduct a Physical Exam
When you take your pet to the vet’s clinic for a routine visit, your vet will evaluate your pet’s medical history. The vet will ask about your pet’s diet, exercise, breathing, behavior, lifestyle, and well-being. Your vet will also undertake a full body assessment which includes the following:
- Listening to your pet’s lungs and heart
- Checking their posture, movement, and weight
- Examining the eyes, coat, skin, nails, feet, ears, and teeth
- Palpating your pet’s belly to inspect their internal organs
- Checking for illness indications, including swelling and pain
Physical exams help vets uncover indicators of health concerns, including tumors, skin allergies, or ear infections. Additionally, your vet may offer vaccinations, parasite prevention, or weight management based on your pet’s medical history and physical evaluation. On the other hand, if you are looking for painless treatment in case your vet finds a health problem during a physical exam in your pet dog that requires surgery, cold laser treatment for dogs is highly recommended.
Perform Wellness Screening Tests
When it comes to your pet’s health, it’s not enough to just perform a physical exam; regular diagnostic testing is also essential. Your veterinarian can get a more in-depth look at your pet’s health using diagnostic testing like blood work, X-rays, urinalysis, and fecal exams. Furthermore, your veterinarian will better understand how your pet is doing over time by keeping track of any trends or changes in their test results, which can lead to quicker and more timely diagnosis.
Keep Vaccinations Up-To-Date
Vaccines prevent pets from contracting and spreading life-threatening infections. Your veterinarian will provide vaccination recommendations depending on where you live and your pet’s lifestyle. All pets should get basic vaccinations, and those that frequently interact with other animals should get additional vaccinations.
Additionally, adult pets require booster shots to retain complete protection from diseases. Boosters are typically administered once a year or every three years, and your veterinarian will inform you how frequently your pet requires booster shots in advance.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your pet healthy and happy requires regular visits to the veterinarian. Proper health care allows you to dedicate more time to your pet, and there are several alternatives for determining how regularly you should bring them in for a checkup. Vet visits for preventative care are more than just physical exams and vaccinations. They help your pet stay ahead of any medical issues and keep them along the right path.
