The Importance of Preventive Care
Wellness exams are critical to helping your pet maintain good, long-term physical health.
Combined with regular vaccinations, parasite prevention, and proper nutrition, these routine examinations include regular physical checkups to give your pet the best chance at excellent lifelong health.
Bringing your dog or cat for their checkup helps us prevent health issues from developing in your pet, or catch them early when they are most treatable.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
Your Irvine vet's cat and dog checkup includes a thorough physical so we get a complete picture of his or her overall health. Routine wellness exams at our animal clinic include the following elements:
General Condition
The general demeanor and physical condition of your pet can reveal information about their overall health. The way they stand and walk, how alert they are, and whether or not they are a healthy weight for their size are all important indicators of overall health.
Coat & Skin
As part of your pet's checkup, we'll look for any abnormalities in the skin or coat, including excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps or bumps, dandruff, or abnormal hair loss or shed.
Face & Head
Your pet's eyes, ears, and nose will be checked for abnormalities or discharge. In addition, we'll look for signs of oral health issues like plaque buildup or periodontal disease.
Internal Health
Vital to your pet's heart health are the following measurements: pulse, blood pressure, and heart rate. We'll check to see if they're alright. Once the lungs have been thoroughly examined, we can determine if there are any indications of abnormal breathing.
Your pet's lymph nodes will be examined for signs of pain or swelling, and we'll check the abdomen to make sure the intestines, kidneys, bladder, spleen, and liver all feel normal and aren't in pain.
Review of Findings
You and your vet will discuss any concerns you have about your pet's overall health and discuss the nutritional needs of your dog or cat after the routine wellness examination is complete.
Checkups for Puppies & Kittens
During the first few weeks of their lives, puppies and kittens require specialized medical care to thrive.
We'll perform a full physical examination on your new best friend, administer the necessary vaccinations, and administer deworming medication. We'll also look for parasites in their intestines. Likewise, we'll also gift you a puppy or kitten "kit" that includes educational materials to assist you in caring for your new addition.
Feel free to ask us any questions or voice concerns about caring for your new pet at the time of the appointment.
Once your puppy or kitten's checkup is complete, you'll return periodically for his or her required booster shots.
Seniors
As veterinary medical knowledge and care have advanced, older pets are living longer thanks to newer therapies and better nutrition.
While this is great news for pets and their owners, it also means that as your pet gets older, you need to pay extra attention to their routine healthcare.
Regular examinations become even more critical if you want to make sure they remain healthy and live longer.
While all adult pets receive routine wellness procedures, we'll pay special attention to any potential geriatric conditions, such as arthritis or decreased vision, that may affect your senior pet.
If your pet is getting older, your veterinarian may recommend additional laboratory tests to get a better picture of their overall health and well-being.
Vaccinations & Prevention
During your pet's checkup at our Irvine animal hospital, your vet will also check if your dog or cat requires preventive care or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.
