Cat & Dog Routine Wellness Exams in Edgewater
The Importance of Preventive Care
Routine vet checkups are a key part of keeping your pet in good physical health their whole lives.
Our pet checkup includes regular veterinary physical exams. When these exams are combined with proper nutrition, routine vaccinations and parasite prevention you are giving your pet their best chance at maintaining lifelong good health.
At your cat or dog's checkup, we help prevent health issues from developing or find them early, in their most treatable phases.
What to Expect at Your Pet's Exam
Your veterinarian will conduct a comprehensive physical exam to get a full picture of your cat or dog's overall health. Your companion's vet checkup in Edgewater will include the following components:
General Condition
The physical condition and general demeanor of your pet can give you hints to their health. How your cat or dog is standing, walking, their alertness level, and whether or not they are a healthy weight for their size are all key indicators of overall health.
Skin & Coat
At your dog or cat's checkup, our team will examine your pet's skin and coat for any signs of an issue, including excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps, bumps, dandruff, or abnormal hair loss or shedding.
Face & Head
Your companion's eyes, ears, and nose will be checked for discharge or abnormalities. We will also examine their mouth for symptoms of oral health conditions including plaque buildup and periodontal disease.
Internal Health
Heart rate, rhythm, and pulse are very important to the health of your pet's heart. Your vet will test these to make sure they are normal. We will also examine the lungs to look for evidence of abnormal breathing.
Your cat or dog's lymph nodes will be checked for signs of pain or swelling. We will also examine their abdomen to see if your pet's intestines, kidneys, bladder, spleen, liver, and stomach feel normal, and that your companion isn't displaying any signs of discomfort.
Reviewing Our Findings
After your pet's routine exam, your veterinarian will designate time to talk to you about any concerns they might have regarding your cat or dog's overall health and will discuss your pet's nutritional requirements.
Kitten and Puppy Checkups
Your new puppy or kitten will require proper medical attention in the first few weeks of their lives to get a healthy start at life.
Our team will provide your new best friend with the appropriate immunizations, deworming medications and a complete physical examination. Your vet will also test them for intestinal parasites and give you a puppy or kitten 'kit' that comes with educational material and samples to help you take care of your new pet.
Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding the care of your puppy or kitten, either at your appointments or after your visits.
When your puppy or kitten's checkup is over you will have to return routinely for their mandatory booster shots.
Senior Pets
Because of the new advancements in veterinary care and medical knowledge, along with better nutrition and therapies, senior pets are now living longer than ever.
This is good news for owners and their pets but, it also means that your senior pet's health requires special attention as they continue to age. As your pet passes middle age, routine examinations become a more important part in ensuring their continuing health and longevity.
On top of the routine wellness procedures we conduct for all adult pets, we also give special attention to the potential geriatric conditions of your senior pet, including arthritis and decreased vision.
We might recommend additional laboratory tests for aging pets to get more detailed information about your senior cat or dog's overall health and wellbeing.
Prevention & Vaccinations
When you bring your cat or dog to their veterinary checkup at Animal General in Edgewater, your vet will look to see if your pet requires preventive care, or if it is time for any of their routine vaccinations.