During routine exams, your vet will take the opportunity to look for early symptoms of illness, internal issues and other serious conditions that need diagnosis and treatment. Our Toledo vets explain what happens during exams and why regular dog and cat checkups are essential in this post.
Why are routine vet checkups important?
We recommend scheduling a routine physical wellness exam with your veterinarian once or twice a year, even when your pet appears to be healthy. During these pet wellness exams, a veterinarian will check in on your pet's condition with the goal of helping your furry friend achieve and maintain ideal physical health.
By bringing your four-legged companion in for a regular vet visit, you allow your veterinarian the chance to assess your pet's general health, and check for diseases, illnesses and conditions that may be difficult to identify in their early stages (including parasites and cancers).
The earlier these conditions are treated, the better. Your vet will have two goals in mind during the checkup: To prevent health conditions from developing where possible and to spot early symptoms of disease so that they can be treated before they develop into more serious problems.
How often should my pet attend a vet checkup?
How often your pet should see the veterinarian for a checkup will depend on your canine or feline friend's medical history and age.
If your cat, dog or other animal has been ill in the past but is currently healthy, we recommend booking an appointment with your veterinarian twice each year or more to make sure your pet remains as healthy as possible. Your vet can examine your pet and let you know how often they should come in for a physical exam.
Since your puppy or kitten's immune system is still developing, young pets can be especially vulnerable to many illnesses that adult pets fight off easily. This is why your vet may recommend booking a monthly checkup for the first few months.
An adult pet with no history of illness should come in to see our Toledo vets for an annual dog or cat exam. That said, some pets such as senior dogs and cats, along with giant breed dogs, face an increased risk for many health conditions and should see a veterinarian more often to monitor for early signs of illness. In these cases, we advise clients to bring their pets in for twice-yearly cat or dog checkups.
How to Prepare
Your veterinarian will require the following basic medical information about your feline or canine companion, especially if this is your pet's first appointment. Bring notes on your animal's:
- Food (What kind do they eat?)
- Eating and drinking habits
- Toilet habits
- Tick bites
- Previous medical records, including vaccine history
- Current medications (names and doses)
- Recent travel history
You may also want to bring a favorite blanket or toys to comfort your pet. While dogs should be on a leash, cats should be in a carrier.
What does a checkup for pets involve?
When you take your pet to the veterinarian, your animal’s medical history will be reviewed and your vet will ask if you have any concerns. They will also ask about your pet’s diet, exercise routine, thirst level, bowel movements, urination and other aspects of their lifestyle and general behavior.
In some cases, you’ll be asked to collect and bring along a fresh sample of your pet’s feces (bowel movement) so a fecal exam can be completed. These exams help to identify whether any number of problematic intestinal parasites are present. These parasites may otherwise be difficult to detect.
Next, the vet will physically examine your pet. While this will usually cover the following points, the vet may take time to do more depending on your pet’s needs:
- Measuring your pet’s gait, stance, and weight
- Using a stethoscope to listen to your pet’s lungs and heart
- Looking into the eyes for signs of cloudiness, discharge, excessive tearing, cloudiness or redness. Will also look for issues with eyelids
- 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
- Feeling the abdomen to check whether internal organs appear normal, and to check for signs of pain or discomfort
- Checking your pet’s nails and feet for signs of significant health concerns or damage
- Examining your pet’s ears for signs of wax buildup, polyps, ear mites or bacterial infection
- Inspecting the condition of the teeth for any indications of decay, damage or periodontal disease
- Examining your furry companion’s coat to assess overall condition, as well as look for signs of abnormal hair loss or dandruff
- Inspecting your cat’s or dog’s skin for numerous issues — from bumps or lumps (especially in folds of skin) to dryness and parasites
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.
Annual vaccinations are also administered during a cat or dog checkup, based on your animal’s appropriate schedule.
Additional Wellness Testing Recommended for Pets
Along with the basic checkup exam points we list above, the vet may also recommend additional wellness testing. Remember that in many cases, early detection and treatment of disease is less expensive and less invasive than having the condition treated once it has become more advanced.
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.