Like with many things in life, maintenance is key. The same is true for your furry family member's health. Veterinary exams are the cornerstone of their medical care. These visits can help prevent/ detect health issues to ensure your canine or feline companion remains as healthy and pain-free as possible. If you're concerned that something may be wrong with your pet, please call us to schedule a medical assessment. Depending on the symptoms, we may ask you to bring in your pet right away.
How often should pets get a checkup?
It depends on which stage of development they are in. Healthy adult pets should get a checkup with their veterinarian once per year. Senior pets should see their vet once every 6 months. Cats and dogs with ongoing conditions, pregnant pets, or young patients may need more checkups.
How do veterinarians diagnose sick pets?
To ensure a proper diagnosis, we need to examine your pet. We begin a medical assessment by looking at your pet's eyes, ears, and skin and checking his or her cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, and skeletal systems for any abnormalities. Depending on what the doctor notices, we may perform blood and/or urine tests as necessary to check your pet's kidneys, liver, pancreas, and endocrine system, including the thyroid and adrenal glands. Based on your pet's condition, we may recommend further diagnostic tests such as radiography (X-rays), endoscopy (internal scoping), ultrasound, or biopsy.