You schedule annual checkups to monitor your own health, and you should  do the same for your pet, because regular wellness screenings are critical for maintaining their health and quality of life. Our Creature Comforts Veterinary Service team explains the benefits of your pet’s regular wellness screenings. 

#1: Your pet gets a healthy start

Your pet’s first year of life lays the foundation for their long-term health. Puppy or kitten wellness exams include a complete physical examination, appropriate vaccinations, deworming medication, and testing for intestinal parasites. By ensuring your pet receives high-quality veterinary care and wellness screenings when they are young, you can help them have a long and healthy life. 

#2: Your pet’s vaccinations stay current

When your pet has their wellness exam, your veterinarian ensures their vaccinations are current. Vaccinations and booster shots protect your pet from many common infectious diseases. All pets should receive core vaccinations, which prevent common, high-mortality diseases that spread easily among animals or to people. Depending on your pet’s age and health status, and your geographic location, your veterinarian may recommend additional noncore vaccinations (i.e. lifestyle vaccines), which can be beneficial. 

#3: Health issues are identified early

Although your pet may appear healthy, they may have underlying health issues. Pets are stoic, often hiding disease signs—which makes regular wellness screenings essential for detecting adverse health conditions in their early stages.

During your pet’s wellness visit, your veterinarian performs a thorough physical exam, observing how they stand and walk, their disposition, and energy level. In addition, your veterinarian exams your pet’s:

  • Weight 
  • Coat 
  • Skin 
  • Eyes 
  • Ears 
  • Mouth and teeth 
  • Heart 
  • Lungs 
  • Lymph nodes 
  • Legs 
  • Abdomen 

#4: Your pet is protected from parasites

Parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and worms, can exist in any environment. To prevent them from developing infectious diseases, pets should have annual parasite testing in addition to receiving parasite preventive medications each month. During a regular wellness visit, your veterinarian screens your pet for parasites, including:

  • Heartworms — Your veterinarian does a blood test to ensure your pet does not have heartworms, which can significantly damage their heart and lungs.
  • Tick-borne diseases — Your veterinarian screens your pet for common tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis.
  • Intestinal parasites — Your veterinarian performs a fecal check, looking for intestinal parasites such as hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, Giardia, and coccidia.

#5: You save money on veterinary care

The financial investment you make for your pet’s preventive care can help keep down your long-term veterinary care costs. Regular wellness screenings can prevent your pet from developing dangerous diseases that are costly to treat. During a wellness screening, your veterinarian can detect a serious illness before it becomes an expensive emergency situation. Treating a disease in its earliest stages is much safer, more cost-effective, and significantly improves your pet’s prognosis. 

#6: Your senior pet stays healthy

Advances in veterinary medicine, innovative therapies, and better nutrition help senior pets live longer than ever. Because a senior pet is more likely to develop health conditions as they age, wellness screenings continue to be important. Depending on your pet’s age and health status, your veterinarian may recommend more frequent wellness screenings and additional testing to gather more detailed information about your senior pet’s overall health and wellbeing. During your senior pet’s physical exam, your veterinarian looks for common geriatric condition signs, such as arthritis and decreased vision. By identifying these health problems early, your veterinarian can treat your senior pet effectively, helping ensure their continued health and longevity. 

#7: You can discuss your pet’s health and wellness

When your pet has their wellness screening, you have the opportunity to ask your veterinarian about your furry friend’s health and behavior, and to discuss their nutritional and exercise needs. Your veterinarian can provide you with information and resources to help you become the best pet owner possible. Between wellness visits, create a list of questions as they come up, and bring them to your pet’s veterinary appointment as a reminder to discuss specific topics about your pet’s health, behaviors, and needs. 

Being proactive about your pet’s health is the best way to help them have a long and happy life, and regular wellness screenings are an essential component of your furry friend’s preventive care. Contact our Creature Comforts Veterinary Service team to schedule your pet’s next wellness exam.