Our routine wellness exams focus on preventive care for your dog or cat. These routine exams are pet checkups that help ensure your animal is in their best possible condition.
The Importance of Preventive Care
Wellness exams are a critical aspect of helping your pet maintain good long-term physical health throughout their lifetime.
When combined with regular vaccinations, parasite prevention and proper nutrition, these routine physical checkups give your pet the best chance at excellent lifelong health.
When you bring your dog or cat to Argyle Veterinary Hospital for their routine checkup, our vets can work to prevent health issues from developing in your pet, or catch issues early, when they are most easily treated.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
Your veterinarian at Argyle Veterinary Hospital will give your dog or cat a nose-to-tail physical checkup in order to get a complete picture of your pet's overall health. Routine wellness exams at our animal hospital include the following checks:
Overall Condition
Your pet's general demeanor and physical condition can provide your vet with clues to your animal's overall health. How your pet stands and walks, their level of alertness, and whether they are a healthy weight for their size are all important indicators of overall health.
Fur & Skin
During your cat or dog's checkup, we will examine your pet's skin and coat for any indications of health 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 your animal's mouth for signs of oral health problems such as plaque buildup, periodontal disease, or tooth decay.
Internal Wellness
Heart rate and rhythm, pulse, and blood pressure are all vitally important to your pet's heart health. Your vet will test these to ensure they are normal. Your pet's lungs will also then be examined for signs 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 dog or cat's checkup, your Argyle vet will take the time to discuss any concerns they may have about your pet's overall health and talk to you about your pet's diet and nutritional requirements.
If you vet finds anything that they are concerned about they will discuss next steps which may include diagnostic testing, dietary changes, or treatment for diseases or developing conditions.
Checkups for Puppies & Kittens
Puppies and kittens need proper medical attention in the first few weeks and months of their lives to help get them off to the healthiest start possible.
We'll give your new best friend a complete physical examination, appropriate immunizations, and deworming medication. We will also test for intestinal parasites. You will be given a puppy or kitten 'welcome kit' filled with educational material and samples to help you care for the newest member of your family.
During or after your pet's vet checkup in our Argyle animal hospital feel free to ask us any questions you may have about caring for your new four-legged friend, or speak to us about your concerns. Answering your pet care questions is part of what wellness exams are all about.
Our vets want to ensure that you have the information you need to provide your pet with a healthy lifestyle. Once your puppy or kitten's checkup is complete, you'll return periodically for his or her required booster shots.
Seniors
With recent advances in veterinary medical science and care, as well as newer therapies and better nutrition, senior pets are living longer than ever.
While this is great news for pets and their owners, it means that special attention needs to be given to your pet's routine healthcare throughout their lifespan. As your dog or cat surpasses middle age, regular pet checkups become increasingly important to ensuring your animal's continuing health, comfort and longevity.
In addition to the routine wellness procedures we perform on all adult pets, during your senior pet's checkup we will give special attention to any developing geriatric conditions, such as arthritis, reduced mobility or decreased vision.
Additional diagnostic tests may be recommended for aging pets in order to provide more detailed information about your senior pet's overall health and wellbeing.
Crucial Vaccines & Parasite Prevention
During your pet's veterinary checkup at Argyle Veterinary Hospital, your vet will also check whether your animal requires preventive care, or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.