The Importance of Preventive Care
Wellness exams are an essential part of your pet's annual preventive care schedule, helping your vet get to know your pet and monitor their overall health.
When combined with routine vaccinations, parasite prevention, and proper nutrition, these comprehensive pet checkups give your dog or cat the best chance at excellent lifelong health.
Bringing your pet in for routine wellness exams can help to prevent health issues from developing in your pet, and allow our vets to catch any developing issues early when they are most treatable.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Checkup in Mount Vernon
Your Mount Vernon vet will give your dog or cat a thorough physical checkup to get a complete picture of his or her overall health. Routine wellness exams at our animal clinic include the following elements:
General Condition
Your pet's general demeanor and physical condition can provide vital clues to their overall health. How they stand and walk, their level of alertness, and whether they are a healthy weight for their size are all important indicators of overall health.
Coat & Skin
During your pet's checkup, we will examine your dog or cat's skin and coat for signs of problems, including excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps, bumps, dandruff, or abnormal hair loss or shedding.
Face & Head
Your pet's eyes, ears, and nose will be examined for abnormalities or discharge. We will also check the mouth for symptoms of oral health problems such as broken or decayed teeth, plaque buildup, or gum disease.
Internal Health
Heart rate and rhythm, pulse, and blood pressure are vitally important to your pet's heart health. We'll test these to ensure they're normal. The lungs will then be examined for evidence of abnormal breathing.
Lymph nodes will be checked for pain or swelling, and we will also examine the abdomen to ensure the intestines, kidneys, bladder, spleen, liver, and stomach all feel normal, and that your pet is not exhibiting any signs of discomfort.
Review of Findings
At the end of your pet's routine wellness exam, your vet will take the time to discuss any concerns they may have about your pet's overall health and talk to you about your dog or cat's nutritional requirements.
Checkups for Puppies & Kittens
Puppies and kittens need proper medical attention in their critical first few weeks of life to get them off to a healthy start.
Our vets at Northwest Veterinary Clinic of Mount Vernon will give your new best friend a complete physical examination, appropriate immunizations, and deworming medication. We will also test for intestinal parasites. You'll be provided with a puppy or kitten 'kit' filled with educational material and samples to help you care for the newest member of your family.
Never hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have about caring for your new pet, both at your appointments or following your visits.
Once your puppy or kitten's checkup is complete, you'll return periodically for their required booster shots.
Seniors
With recent advances in veterinary medical knowledge and care, as well as newer therapies and better nutrition, senior pets are living longer than ever.
While this is terrific news for pets and their owners, it means that special attention needs to be given to your pet's routine healthcare as they age. Beyond middle age, regular examinations become increasingly important to ensure their continuing health and longevity.
In addition to the routine wellness procedures we perform on all adult pets, we will give special attention to your senior pet's potential geriatric conditions, such as arthritis or decreased vision.
Additional diagnostic tests may be recommended for aging pets to provide more detailed information about your senior pet's overall health and wellbeing.
Vaccinations & Prevention for Mount Vernon Pets
During your pet's veterinary checkup at our Mount Vernon animal hospital, your vet will also check whether your animal requires preventive care, or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.