The adult life stage is typically the prime of your pet’s life, when you can expect them to be strong, healthy and happy. Even if you have no specific health concerns with you cat or dog, it’s important to plan for a regular annual exam. This will allow us to be on the lookout for development of diseases or conditions, and to provide preventative care including dental care, vaccines and parasite control, and body condition advice.
Bringing your adult pet in for an annual diagnostic and wellness checkup can help reassure you that they are healthy or help us detect hidden diseases or conditions early. Early detection can improve the prognosis of many diseases, keep medical costs down, and help your pet live longer. Many dogs and cats are good at hiding signs that something is wrong, so subtle changes in their health might be easy to overlook.
Dogs and cats age more quickly than humans – an annual visit for them is like you waiting six or seven years between visits with your doctor. As they progress through their adult years the risks of arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hormone disorders, and kidney and liver problems all tend to increase.
During your pet’s adult wellness exam, we will perform a physical assessment, checking your dog or cat from nose to tail. We will also make sure your pet receives appropriate vaccinations and preventives. We may perform a diagnostic workup, which can include blood, fecal, and urine tests to check for parasites and underlying diseases. Your vet will want to know of any physical or behavioural changes you may have noticed in your pet, and will be happy to discuss any other concerns you might have. We will also look at their mouth and teeth and will provide recommendations on dental care, which may involve another visit for comprehensive dental treatment.
