If you value your health, you likely visit your primary care provider at least once a year for what you might call a wellness exam, a physical, or a check-up. The purpose of this examination is to check common markers of health, such as height, weight, blood pressure, and overall appearance. Your doctor will ask you questions about your health status — Do you smoke or drink? Are you getting enough sleep? — and also check factors that you might never think about, such as your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose. A wellness exam for your pet is not that different from your own annual physical exam, and it is just as necessary to provide this exam for your pet as it is for your own health.

What Is a Wellness Exam?

You will make an appointment to bring your animal in at a certain time, and a veterinary assistant will likely begin the session by recording your pet’s weight. While you are waiting for the vet, you might want to give your pet a treat or bring a favorite toy from home to keep him or her calm. When the vet enters the room, she will try to make your pet feel comfortable before beginning her exam. You should be prepared to answer several questions about your pet’s general health as well as his habits regarding:

•       Diet

•       Exercise and rest

•       Behavior

•       Lifestyle

•       Bowel movements and urination

Your vet will perform a physical examination, which includes observing eyes, ears, feet, coat, and other markers of health, and she will listen to his heartbeat with a stethoscope. After ensuring that he is healthy, she will administer any appropriate vaccinations.

Why Does Your Pet Need a Check-Up?

Your pet benefits from a regular check of his health in the same way you do: by understanding your pet’s health needs, for example, you will be better prepared to care for it at present and in the future. If you have just adopted a breed you are not familiar with, your vet is a great source of information as you get to know your new friend. If you are a lifetime beagle lover who has just brought a Goldendoodle into the family, for example, you might not understand that larger dogs have different health risks than smaller dogs. Similarly, if you have adopted a cat, rabbit, or a rare animal for the first time, you might be unaware of how to properly care for it or unsure of what tests it might need.

The most important reason to schedule at least an annual wellness exam for your pet is this: by establishing a baseline of health for your animal companion, you will be able to act quickly if it gets sick, develops an unusual growth, or suddenly starts acting “off.” At Pet Hospitals of Hawaii, we recommend a bi-annual visit to keep your animal friends as healthy as they can be.

Common Problems Discovered in a Wellness Exam

Dogs and cats are regularly screened for common diseases such as heart problems, liver diseases, and diabetes. Additionally, X-rays are taken if there is a suspected problem with your pet’s bones or joints — believe it or not, one in five dogs is prone to developing osteoarthritis in old age, just like humans!

Your vet can provide suggestions for flea problems, administer heartworm medication, and address any other medical or behavioral questions you might have. Your pet’s primary location is important to tell your vet as well: cats and dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors are prone to developing worms, getting fleas, or being bitten by ticks.

It is never too late to start caring for your pet’s health. If you have just adopted a new animal companion, be sure to bring it in for a check-up as soon as possible to establish a baseline of its health. Contact Pet Hospitals of Hawaii today to keep your pets as healthy as possible for years to come.