Preventive Care at Shoreland Animal Hospital
Pet wellness exams are an essential part of helping your pet stay in good physical health throughout their life.
In combination with regular vaccinations, parasite prevention, and proper nutrition, these routine examinations consist of regular physical checkups to provide your pet with their best chance at lifelong optimal health.
When you take your cat or dog to the vet for their routine vet checkup, we can help prevent your pet from developing any health issues or detect them early, when they are easier to treat.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Checkup
Your veterinarian will provide your cat or dog with a comprehensive physical checkup to get a complete picture of their overall health. The routine pet wellness exams we conduct at our Toledo animal clinic include the elements below:
General Condition
The physical condition and general demeanor of your pet could provide key insights into their overall health. The way they stand and walk, their alertness, and whether they are a healthy weight for their size are all important indicators of an animal's health.
Coat & Skin
During your pet's checkup, we will examine your dog or cat's skin and coat for signs of problems, such as excessive oiliness or dryness, dandruff, bumps, lumps, or abnormal shedding or hair loss.
Face & Head
Your cat or dog's eyes, ears, and nose will be checked for any abnormalities or discharge. We will also inspect the mouth to look for any signs of oral health issues such as plaque buildup or periodontal 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.
Your pet's lymph nodes will be checked for signs of swelling or pain, and their abdomen will be examined to make sure the stomach, kidneys, spleen, intestines, bladder, and liver all feel normal, and that your cat or dog isn't showing any signs of discomfort.
Review of Findings
To conclude your pet's routine wellness exam, your vet will designate time to talk about any concerns they may have about your pet's overall health. They will also have a conversation with you about your cat or dog's nutritional requirements.
Checkups for Puppies & Kittens
During their first few weeks of life, puppies and kittens need proper medical attention in order to get a healthy start in life.
We'll give your new best friend a complete physical examination, appropriate immunizations, and deworming medication. We'll also conduct tests for intestinal parasites. Your vet will give you a puppy or kitten 'kit' that contains educational material and samples to help you care for the new family member.
Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you might have in regards to the care of your new pet, either at your appointments or after your visits.
Following your kitten or puppy's checkup, you'll come back regularly for their required booster shots.
Seniors
Recently there have been advancements made in veterinary medical knowledge and care, as well as newer therapies and better nutrition, and as a result, senior pets are living longer than before.
While this is great news for pets and their owners, it means that your pet's routine health care requires special attention as your cat or dog continues to get older. When your furry friend surpasses middle age, routine exams become more crucial in helping your pet stay healthy.
In addition to the routine pet 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 laboratory tests may be recommended for aging pets to provide more detailed information about your senior pet's overall health and wellbeing.
Vaccinations & Prevention
As part of your pet's veterinary checkup at our Toledo animal hospital, your vet will also look to see if your cat or dog needs preventive care or if it's time for any of their routine vaccinations.