The Importance of Preventive Care
Wellness exams are critical to helping your pet maintain good long-term physical health.
When combines with routine vaccinations, parasite prevention and good nutrition designed for your pet's need, routine examinations give your pet their best opportunity for lifelong good 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
Our South Lebanon vets will provide your cat or dog with a comprehensive physical checkup in order to gain a complete picture of their overall health and wellbeing. Routine exams at our veterinary hospital include the following elements:
General Condition
Your pet's general condition and demeanor can provide your vet will important clues about their overall health. How your pet stands and walks, how alert they are and their weight when compared to their height can all be important indicators of their wellbeing.
Coat & Skin
During your pet's routine checkup, we will examine their coat and skin for signs of issues. This includes excessive dryness or oiliness, lumps, bumps, abnormal hair loss, shedding and dandruff.
Face & Head
Your pet's nose, eyes, and ears will all be examined for any abnormalities like discharge. We will also examine their mouth for symptoms of any oral health issues like periodontal disease or plaque buildup.
Internal Health
Heart rate and rhythm, pulse, and blood pressure are vitally important to your pet's heart health. We'll test these 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 talk to you about your dog or cat's nutritional requirements.
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 will provide your new best friend with a comprehensive physical examination, deworming treatments and any require vaccinations at their first few visits to our office. We will also test them for intestinal parasites.
You will be provided with a kitten or puppy "kit" filled with educational materials and samples in order 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 longevity.
On top of the routine wellness procedures we perform on all of our adult pet patients, we will give your senior pet special attention and check for geriatric conditions like decreased vision or arthritis.
Additional tests may be recommended as your pet ages to provide us with more detailed information about their health and wellbeing.
Vaccinations & Prevention
During your pet's veterinary checkup with Little Miami Veterinary Services, the vet will check whether or not your companion require preventive care like vaccinations or parasites prevention.