Regular Checkups

Is your dog healthy? According to AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), dogs, cats, and other pets should get a medical examination at least once every year. Beyond vaccinations and flea treatments, your pet needs regular checkups, and that means regular visits to the veterinarian.

Are you sure your pet is healthy?

Well, seeing isn’t always believing. You cannot always tell how your cat or dog feels by just looking at it. These animals may not be able to tell you they’re hurt or show outward signs of injury or disease. However, problems could be developing, and these issues can only be detected by a professional. No matter how healthy your pet may seem, regular checkups are mandatory. Experienced vets have tools and a wealth of knowledge needed to assess and analyze your pet’s health.

DIY pet health checkup isn’t enough. Here’s why.

• Issues like loss of interest in some activities, lethargy, and changes in behavior could mask infection or illness.
• Tooth decay can cause weight loss, poor eating habits, and probably make the pet act out in other ways. If not treated in time, dental disease can threaten your pet’s overall health.
• Playful pets that spend much of their time outdoors should be checked regularly for pest infestations and bites.
• Some internal illnesses that affect pets may not show outward signs until it is too late.
• Arthritis, diabetes, and other chronic health issues that affect pets can be managed better when diagnosed early enough.

Managing your pet’s health

Regular health checkups benefit cats, dogs, and other pets of all ages. These services allow your veterinarian to diagnose any health issue early enough and address it before it’s too late. Besides, as your furry friend gets older, regular visits to the veterinary facility could help them enjoy better health and age gracefully.

Note that some signs of disease can mimic the impact of aging. Thus, what you think is normal behavior for an old pet might be internal health issues such as developing kidney disease. Additionally, pets’ mental health degrades as they age. That means they can suffer from anxiety, dementia, and depression. These issues can be diagnosed and addressed during your pet’s health checkups.

What to expect

You are probably wondering what a veterinarian checks during pet health checkups. With your help, the expert will review your pet’s health information, take note of the regular medication administered to the pet, and analyze the status of know health issues. Heart rate, weight, and other vital signs will be monitored and recorded.

Additionally, the expert will examine the pet’s body to identify any signs of injury and illness. This involves examining the ears, eyes, teeth, eyes, nose, and skin. If theirs is a reason for concern, the veterinarian may order lab tests and the necessary treatments.