Cat & Dog Wellness Exams
The Importance of Preventive Care
Wellness exams are essential when it comes to promoting good long-term physical health in your pet.
Routine exams should be combined with regular vaccinations, parasite prevention and proper nutrition to give your pet the best chance at excellent lifelong health.
When you bring your dog or cat in for their routine checkup, we can prevent health issues from developing in your pet, or catch them early, when they are most treatable.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
Your Gillette vet will give your dog or cat a thorough physical checkup in order 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 physical condition can provide clues to their overall health. How they stand and walk, their level of alertness, and their weight are all important indicators of overall health.
Coat & Skin
During your cat or dog's checkup, we will examine your dog or cat's skin and coat for signs of problems, including excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps, or abnormal hair loss.
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 plaque buildup or periodontal disease.
Internal Health
We'll test your pet's heart rate and rhythm, pulse, and blood pressure 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 provide you with their recommendations.
Nutritional Consultations
Your pet depends on you to make the right nutrition choices for them, make sure you know how. Our vets can help assess your pet's diet to ensure they are getting the right amount of nutrients for their age, size, and lifestyle.
Checkups for Puppies & Kittens
Puppies and kittens need proper medical attention in their first few weeks of life to get off to a healthy start.
We'll 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 all the information you need to help you care for the newest member of your family. Please 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 his or her 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. As your pet surpasses middle age, regular examinations become increasingly crucial to ensure their continuing health and catch emerging health issues as early as possible.
In addition to the routine dog and cat checkups we do for 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
During your pet's vet checkup at our Gillette animal hospital, we will also let you know if your animal is due for any routine vaccinations or parasite preventive medication.