We offer a wide variety of veterinary services at Green Cove Animal Hospital, but pet wellness care is probably the most common thing we do. An annual checkup allows a veterinarian to examine your pet for anything that could be wrong, and will hopefully catch any health concerns early when they are more treatable. Wellness checks are recommended during every stage of your pet’s life!
The Importance of Regular Visits
What Pet Wellness Care Entails
Annual Wellness Exam
In your pet’s wellness exam, a veterinarian at Green Cove Animal Hospital will conduct a thorough exam of your pet’s body and overall health. The following things will be examined during most pet wellness exams:
- Heart, lungs, and abdomen
- Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat
- Musculoskeletal system
- Neurological system
- Lymph nodes
- Urogenital system
- Skin and coat check
Depending on your pet’s age, size, and breed, the tests conducted will vary.
Vet Visits Detect and Prevent
Puppy & Kitten Wellness
We generally get puppies and kittens started on their core vaccines during this stage. This can be scheduled to happen during a regular pet wellness exam.
Although spay and neuter procedures can be done at any age, it’s recommended that you have the procedures done during the puppy/kitten stage. This can also be scheduled in conjunction with a pet wellness exam.
Senior Pet Wellness Care
Pets are usually considered to be “seniors” after they reach seven years of age. Once your pet starts to get older, the diagnostic tests done during wellness exams may become more varied. We’ll do age-appropriate lab tests and blood work to ensure that their organs are functioning properly. As pets age, more health problems are likely to set in. This is why we may recommend twice-a-year wellness exams for senior pets, in order to monitor their health more closely.
Parasite Control
Your vet at Green Cove Animal Hospital will also talk about parasite control to keep your pet healthy. This can include heartworm prevention, intestinal parasites, and keeping your pet free and clear from ticks and fleas.
Other Concerns
The vet will also discuss your pet’s nutritional needs and activity level during a wellness exam. Sometimes dietary changes will be needed if certain health conditions are detected during an exam or blood work. Your pet may need to increase or decrease their activity level, depending on their age and overall health.
Contact Us for Your Next Pet Wellness Exam
Regular pet wellness exams help to ensure that your pet will live a long, healthy life. If you’d like to schedule a wellness exam, call us at 904-284-5624.
