At Coastal Animal Hospital in Buxton and Kitty Hawk, we have a team of veterinarians working hard to ensure our patients are well taken care of—whether it's a routine visit or a major surgery. We know your pet means the world to you, and you can trust that they're in excellent hands with our team. If this is your first visit to a veterinarian, you may have questions about what happens during a pet wellness exam. We have your answers below! Don't hesitate to contact us with any additional questions or to book an appointment.
Pet Wellness Exams: What Should I Expect
Whether you're meeting with a pet surgeon for a consultation or to discuss a treatment plan or a veterinarian for a routine visit, patients often have questions. In this blog, we're focusing on what you can expect during a routine pet wellness exam. Your vet will do the following:
• Checking Stats — Measure your pet's weight and check the temperature, pulse rate, and respiration rate.
• Asking Questions — Your vet will ask about their lifestyle, diet, behavior, and health history. If you have any problems or concerns, now is the time to bring those up, especially changes in your pet's behavior.
• Perform a Physical Exam — During the physical exam, they will look for any early signs of health problems. An oral exam includes listening to the heart and lungs, examining the eyes, checking the ears, doing a body condition score, feeling the lymph nodes and organs in the abdomen, checking reflexes, performing a rectal exam, and observing how your pet moves.
Additional Tests
Depending on your pet's age and history, they may do additional tests. This can include:
• Fecal exams in adult dogs and cats annually.
• Heartworm tests in dogs and cats at the age of seven months.
• FeLV/FIV test in cats to test for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Catching these early on is vital.
• Blood work and Urinalysis in senior pets.
• Vaccines — core vaccines are different for cats and dogs.
We can also provide additional services like spaying/neutering, dental care, grooming, pet ID, and creating a proper diet and exercise plan for your pet.
Schedule A Wellness Exam With Your Veterinarian
Are you looking for a veterinarian near you? Caring for your pet is always your top priority, and our team at Coastal Animal Hospital in Buxton and Kitty Hawk is standing by to answer your questions or schedule an appointment. You can also visit our website for additional resources about caring for your pet, our team, and boarding information.