During a routine exam, your veterinarian will check your pet regularly for symptoms of illness, internal health issues and other serious conditions that may need to be addressed. Here, our vets in Orange explain why regularly scheduled veterinary checkups are so important.
Why are routine vet checkups important?
Your pet should undergo a routine vet exam once or twice a year. By bringing your healthy animal to routinely visit your veterinarian, you are giving your vet the chance to assess your pet's general health and well-being, test your pet for illness and disease and assess them for conditions that respond best to treatments in their earliest stages.
Further, with consistent checkups, your vet may develop an understanding of your pet's behavior and baseline health and allow them to better recognize changes in their health.
During the checkup, your vet has two goals: to prevent health conditions from developing where possible and to spot early symptoms of diseases so that they can be treated before they develop into more serious problems.
How often should my pet attend a vet checkup?
Your pet's medical history and age will have an influence on how frequently your vet will advise you to bring your pet in for a visit.
If your pet has a history of illness but is currently healthy, we recommend booking an appointment at your vet's twice each year or more to ensure your pet stays as healthy as possible. Your vet can examine your pet and tell you how often they should come in for a physical exam.
Since puppies' and kittens' immune systems are still developing, young pets may be especially susceptible to illnesses that adult pets can easily overcome. Because of this, your vet may recommend that you book and monthly checkup for your puppy or kitten during their first few months.
Typically, an adult dog or cat with no history of illness should see us for a vet checkup on a yearly basis. That said, some pets such as senior dogs and cats, in addition to giant breed dogs, face an increased risk of many conditions and should see a veterinarian more often to monitor for early signs of illness.
How to Prepare
Your vet will need the following basic medical information about your canine or feline companion, especially if this is your pet's first visit. Bring notes on the following about your pet:
- Tick bites
- Recent travel history
- Past medical records, including vaccine history
- Food (what kind do they eat)
- Eating and drinking habits
- Toilet habits
- Current medications (names and doses)
You may also want to bring a favorite blanket or toys for comfort. While dogs should be on a leash, cats should be in a carrier.
What does a checkup for pets involve?
While the vet performs a routine physical examination of your pet, they will usually check the following things:
- Using a stethoscope to listen to your pet’s lungs and heart
- Examining your pet’s ears for signs of wax buildup, polyps, ear mites or bacterial infection
- Examining your furry companion’s coat to assess overall condition, as well as look for signs of abnormal hair loss or dandruff
- Inspecting the condition of the teeth for any indications of decay, damage or periodontal disease
- Checking for any signs of illness by feeling along your pet’s body (palpating). These symptoms include lameness or limited range of motion, or signs of swelling or pain
- Measuring your pet’s gait, stance, and weight
- Checking your pet’s nails and feet for signs of significant health concerns or damage
- Inspecting your cat’s or dog’s skin for numerous issues — from bumps or lumps (especially in folds of skin) to dryness and parasites
- Looking into the eyes for signs of cloudiness, discharge, excessive tearing, cloudiness or redness. Will also look for issues with eyelids
- Feeling the abdomen to check whether internal organs appear normal, and to check for signs of pain or discomfort
If no issues are detected along the way, your vet can likely run through this list quickly and seamlessly — they may even chat with you as they do so. If an issue is identified, your vet will explain what they have noticed and recommend next steps or potential treatments.
Additional Wellness Testing Recommended for Pets
Alongside basic checkup exams and tests, your vet may also recommend additional wellness testing for your pet. Remember that in many instances, the early detection and treatment of a disease or health issue is far less expensive and invasive than having the condition treated when it has progressed into a more advanced stage.
Tests for blood count, thyroid hormone testing and urinalysis may be done, in addition to diagnostic testing such as X-rays and imaging.
Ending the Vet Checkup
Once your pet has been examined, tested and given their annual vaccines, your vet will dedicate time to explaining their findings to you.
If the veterinarian has found any signs of injury or illness, they will recommend more detailed diagnostics or potential treatment options to help.
If your pet is healthy overall, this discussion may focus on improvements to exercise and diet routines, caring for your pet’s oral health and checking that essentials such as appropriate parasite prevention are monitored.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding people or pets. Always follow your doctor's advice regarding asthma or other allergy symptoms.