Pets age faster than humans. For this reason, our veterinarians recommend a complete physical examination at least once a year, though exams every six months are encouraged. In human years, this would be the equivalent of going to the doctor after every two to four years. Scheduling a routine wellness exam is one of the most important things you can do to keep your pet healthy and happy.
Wellness exams allow our vets to gain a comprehensive picture of your pet's overall health, as well as spot potential complications. Because your pet’s health is our mutual concern, Safe Harbor Animal Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, welcomes questions about diet, preventive and daily care, exercise habits and daily care. To us, no question is too small or too silly. It is our pleasure to address any and every concern you have. We want you to be informed and comfortable as possible about how best to keep your pet in optimal health.
What We Do During Pet Wellness Exams
During your pet's exam our veterinarians and staff will:
Administer vaccines.
Discuss and advise you concerning your pet’s behavior, appetite, exercise habits, and regular activities at home.
Provide nutritional counseling and diet planning
Discuss heartworm, flea, tick and parasite control.
Listen to your pet's heart- Heart murmurs, arrhythmias and signs of heart disease can be detected with a stethoscope.
Listen to your pet's lungs - By listening to your pet's lungs with a stethoscope, we can detect infections and diseases and assess the overall pulmonary health of your pet.
Examine your pet's teeth and mouth – Dental disease is the most common disease in pets. Examining your pet's teeth and mouth allows us to determine if there is any infection or impaction. Puppies and kittens also need to be checked to ensure their teeth are developing properly.
Evaluate your pet's eyes - Regular care and screenings can prevent ocular conditions. We look for dry eyes, cataracts, corneal ulcers, and glaucoma.
Look into your pet's ears – We check for ear mites, redness, odor or discharge or other indications of ear infections. Allergies and outdoor activities may also be a root cause for irritation.
Feel the skin, lymph nodes and abdomen – We feel for lumps, bumps, swellings, skin discolorations, lesions or patterns of hair loss or thinning. These may be signs of systemic problems or metabolic diseases.
Feel joints and muscles – By feeling and moving the joints and limbs, we can detect swollen joints, decreased muscle tone and variations in muscle size. In young pets, we will look for developmental issues, and in our older friends, we detect signs of arthritis.
Perform blood & lab tests - A complete annual physical exam should include a heartworm, blood and urine tests. These simple tests give us a baseline archive of your pet’s overall health and may point to underlying diseases.
Screen for parasites – A recommended fecal examination allows us to check for parasites or worms.
Scheduling a Wellness Exam for a Dog or Cat
Scheduling a wellness exam for your pet is simple and important! Give our offices a call at Safe Harbor Animal Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, today!
