Why Are Yearly Pet Examinations Necessary?
Many pet owners underestimate the importance of an annual physical exam because their pet seems healthy.
Annual exams provide an opportunity to prevent diseases, detect them early, or even avoid them altogether.
Many diseases and ailments such as heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes are not often evident in early stages.
Your veterinarian can conduct a comprehensive exam that includes a lab analysis, heart check, and dental exam to ensure top physical shape and optimum health for years to come.
Dogs age more rapidly than humans.
In one calendar year the average dog can physically age 5-10 years in comparison.
Medically, many changes can take place in that time.
Once a dog reaches 8 years old it is considered to be geriatric.
At this time, it is important to consider performing a "Senior Wellness Profile" which provides a more thorough work-up on major body systems such as the heart, liver, and kidneys as problems such as organ failure or cancer may develop and progress quickly if not detected.
Many problems owners commonly assume are "old age changes" may actually be signs of underlying disease and can be very treatable.
What does a physical exam include? Your veterinarian has special training and experience in detecting subtle illness in pets and will conduct a very thorough "nose to toes" exam.
Listening to the heart your vet can detect murmurs.
Increased lung sounds may indicate early illness.
Abdominal palpation may reveal pain in certain areas or abnormal size and shape of various organs or even tumors.
Evaluating joint mobility may reveal arthritis.
Checking out the eyes can detect early signs of cataracts or other ocular problems.
Ears may be in need of cleaning or medication.
Dental disease may be detected as well as signs of allergies or skin problems during a routine exam.
It's easier for someone who doesn't see your pet every day to detect lumps and bumps that you may not have noticed.
Comparing annual weights as well can determine if your dog is heading down the path to obesity or is slowly losing weight due to a latent illness or disease.
Annual examinations also give you an opportunity to talk to your Vet about training, hygiene, nutrition, and any other questions you may have.
A few simple hygiene tasks added to your daily schedule can be very beneficial to your pet's quality of life and feeding a proper diet rates as one of the most important considerations in health maintenance.
Around 75% of pets relinquished to rescue groups are due to behavioral problem.
If you train your dog and ensure by doing so that you provide it a home for life this can be one of the most important health decisions you make for your pet.
Millions of dogs and cats are euthanized in the US each year due to easily correctable behavioral problems such as barking, leash pulling, growling and snapping.
With cats, in proper litter box habits and scratching at furniture are two of the more common reasons that cats are surrendered.
Annual exams provide an opportunity to prevent diseases, detect them early, or even avoid them altogether.
Many diseases and ailments such as heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes are not often evident in early stages.
Your veterinarian can conduct a comprehensive exam that includes a lab analysis, heart check, and dental exam to ensure top physical shape and optimum health for years to come.
Dogs age more rapidly than humans.
In one calendar year the average dog can physically age 5-10 years in comparison.
Medically, many changes can take place in that time.
Once a dog reaches 8 years old it is considered to be geriatric.
At this time, it is important to consider performing a "Senior Wellness Profile" which provides a more thorough work-up on major body systems such as the heart, liver, and kidneys as problems such as organ failure or cancer may develop and progress quickly if not detected.
Many problems owners commonly assume are "old age changes" may actually be signs of underlying disease and can be very treatable.
What does a physical exam include? Your veterinarian has special training and experience in detecting subtle illness in pets and will conduct a very thorough "nose to toes" exam.
Listening to the heart your vet can detect murmurs.
Increased lung sounds may indicate early illness.
Abdominal palpation may reveal pain in certain areas or abnormal size and shape of various organs or even tumors.
Evaluating joint mobility may reveal arthritis.
Checking out the eyes can detect early signs of cataracts or other ocular problems.
Ears may be in need of cleaning or medication.
Dental disease may be detected as well as signs of allergies or skin problems during a routine exam.
It's easier for someone who doesn't see your pet every day to detect lumps and bumps that you may not have noticed.
Comparing annual weights as well can determine if your dog is heading down the path to obesity or is slowly losing weight due to a latent illness or disease.
Annual examinations also give you an opportunity to talk to your Vet about training, hygiene, nutrition, and any other questions you may have.
A few simple hygiene tasks added to your daily schedule can be very beneficial to your pet's quality of life and feeding a proper diet rates as one of the most important considerations in health maintenance.
Around 75% of pets relinquished to rescue groups are due to behavioral problem.
If you train your dog and ensure by doing so that you provide it a home for life this can be one of the most important health decisions you make for your pet.
Millions of dogs and cats are euthanized in the US each year due to easily correctable behavioral problems such as barking, leash pulling, growling and snapping.
With cats, in proper litter box habits and scratching at furniture are two of the more common reasons that cats are surrendered.
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