Wellness Exams
One of the most effective ways to prevent illnesses is with annual pet wellness exams, which is why we emphasize preventive care here at Animal Kingdom Veterinary Care Center. Regardless of your pet’s age or health status, it’s important for them to see a vet at least once a year as there may be health problems that only a veterinarian or technician can detect. The sooner a health problem can be diagnosed, the sooner it can be treated, and the greater the chances of success with treatment. Vaccines are another critical part of your pet’s preventive care plan, as they can help prevent a number of viruses and diseases.
About Your Pet’s Wellness Exam
If you’ll be bringing your pet to the vet for the first time, you may have questions about what to expect during the visit. The following list details what’s involved with every pet wellness exam we perform at our animal hospital in North Liberty:
- Examination of body condition/weight, skin, and hair coat. Some of the things we look for include skin infections with allergies, parasites, and lumps/bumps on the skin.
- Assessment of the pet’s overall demeanor. We encourage you to let us know of any behavioral changes you’ve noticed, such as aggression or anxiety.
- Ear examination using our video otoscope. If an infection or inflammation is present, we’ll discuss their underlying causes.
- Thorough oral examination, assessing the amount of tartar present and the degree of associated gum disease. We’ll make note of any broken or abscessed teeth, painful sores, and abnormal growths that need attention.
- Eye examination to check for infections, eyelid problems, the presence of cataracts, and general vision issues.
- Palpation of the legs and joints for pain, symptoms of injury, infection, and/or arthritis.
- Careful listening to the heart and lungs, looking for potential issues such as heart murmurs and lung congestion.
- Palpation of the abdomen to look for abnormal growths and discomfort.
- Examination of the urogenital system
Additional Testing & Prevention
Depending on our findings during your pet’s physical exam, we may recommend additional diagnostic testing to gather more information about your pet’s health. This can include a comprehensive blood panel, fecal parasite testing, a urinalysis, a heartworm test, a Lyme test, and/or X-rays. If necessary, we can also make recommendations to their diet as it pertains to body condition and possible food intolerance or allergies. Your pet’s wellness visit is also the time when we can discuss medications for parasite prevention and the use of supplements and medications to help with arthritis, skin and coat conditions, and travel anxiety.
Wellness Exams For Pets in North Liberty, Iowa
Taking care of your precious pet’s health starts with a thorough veterinary exam. To schedule pet wellness exam near you, call us at 319-626-2999 or fill out our appointment form!
