When you take your pet to the veterinarian for a checkup, they will typically ask you some questions, give your pet a physical exam and maybe take some samples for laboratory analysis. But what exactly are they looking for with all those questions and tests, and why should your pet have a yearly (or more frequent) wellness exam? Let’s find out what all those lab tests are about and why it’s worth convincing your cat that the pet carrier isn’t the worst thing since bath time.
Healthy Pets Need to Visit the Veterinarian, Too
Your pet uses a variety of methods to communicate with you — those big, sad eyes when they’re begging for a treat, excited barks when you arrive home and happy purrs when you’re snuggled on the couch. However, one of the things your pet isn’t good at telling you is when they’re feeling sick. Dogs, and especially cats, are very good at hiding when they don’t feel good, which probably stems from their ancestors wanting to avoid looking weak to predators.
A physical checkup allows your veterinarian to look for signs of injury or illness in your pet that might not be obvious. Routine laboratory and testing may help your veterinarian identify early changes associated with diseases such as can diabetes, chronic kidney disease, liver disease or endocrine disorders before noticeable clinical signs develop. Depending on your pet’s lifestyle and geographic location, your veterinarian may also recommend screening tests for infectious diseases such as heartworm disease, Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses.
Wellness exams can also be used as a baseline or for trend monitoring if your pet does become ill later in life. Depending on your pet’s age, health status, breed and lifestyle, they may need an annual checkup or more frequent checkups. Your veterinarian can help you determine how often you should bring your pet in for a wellness exam.
How Often Should I Take My Dog to the Vet?
Healthy adult dogs should generally visit the vet at least once a year. Puppies need more frequent vet visits during their first year for physical exams, vaccinations, parasite prevention and other preventive care. Senior dogs should generally have a physical exam at least twice a year, while dogs with chronic conditions or other health problems may need additional appointments, blood work or diagnostic tests.
Your dog’s lifestyle can also affect how often they should see the vet. Tell your veterinarian about changes such as travel, camping, boarding, dog parks or a move to a new geographic location because these activities may change your dog’s health risks. Your veterinarian can recommend the right schedule based on your dog’s age, breed, lifestyle and overall health. Regular vet visits are an important part of preventative care and maintaining good health throughout a dog’s life.
How Often Should I Take My Cat to the Vet?
Cats should have a physical exam at least once a year, including cats that live entirely indoors. Kittens need more frequent appointments during their first year for vaccinations, parasite protection and monitoring their growth. Senior cats should generally visit the veterinarian at least every six months, while cats with underlying health conditions may need more frequent wellness visits.
Routine checkups are especially important because cats are skilled at hiding pain and early signs of illness. They also give pet parents an opportunity to discuss changes in their cat’s lifestyle, including a move, travel or new access to the outdoors. Regular exams and laboratory testing can help establish a health baseline and allow the veterinarian to monitor for changes over time.
What Happens During Your Pet’s Wellness Exam?
During your pet’s examination, your veterinarian will likely ask a number of questions about your pet. While some of the questions may seem silly (e.g., asking if a Labrador is eating well) or a little uncomfortable (e.g., asking what your puppy’s poop looks like), the answers provide your veterinarian with useful information to determine if your pet is healthy.
It’s a good idea to be prepared to answer questions about your pet’s nutrition, behavior, exercise habits and general health. This is also an ideal time to bring up any questions you have about your pet, even if they seem trivial or unimportant, because sometimes those small concerns could mean a big problem.
Pet Physical Exams
Your veterinarian will palpate (feel around) and examine your pet’s body to check their skin, coat, abdomen, muscles (and movement), mouth (teeth and gums), eyes, ears and general condition to make sure everything looks and feels normal. They will also listen to your pet’s lungs and heart and check for external parasites. The veterinarian will look at your cat or dog’s body condition score and weight to determine if it’s in a healthy range for their age and breed. If signs of dental disease are present, they may recommend a professional dental cleaning and oral examination under anesthesia. For many senior pets, your veterinarian may also recommend measuring blood pressure.
If your pet has a known medical condition, they will check how it’s progressing and if any treatment adjustments are needed.
Routine Lab Work for Pets
To get a more complete picture of your pet’s health, your veterinarian may recommend collecting blood, urine, fecal or other samples from your pet. Blood tests can help identify abnormalities associated with conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, anemia and certain metabolic diseases. A urinalysis complements bloodwork by providing additional information about kidney function and can help detect urinary tract infections, diabetes and other urinary tract conditions. For cats with urinary signs, it is also an important part of evaluating feline lower urinary tract disease.
It’s a good idea to ask at the time of scheduling your pet’s appointment if fecal testing for intestinal parasites will be a part of the exam. That way you know whether to bring in a fresh stool sample from your pet.
What Vaccines Are Given at a Pet’s Annual Checkup?
Vaccines for cats and dogs are categorized as either core or non-core vaccines. Core vaccines are recommended for nearly all cats and dogs because they protect against diseases that are widespread, severe or pose a risk to humans (e.g., rabies). Non-core vaccines may be recommended by your veterinarian depending on your pet’s lifestyle, age, geographic location and risk of exposure (e.g., leptospirosis vaccination).
Some vaccines have annual boosters while others can be given every three years. For example, depending on your local regulations and the vaccine used, the rabies vaccine may be given every three years instead of once a year. Your veterinarian will determine the vaccinations and schedule right for your pet.
Based on the results of your pet’s checkup, your veterinarian may recommend further testing, a modification of their diet, a change in lifestyle or prescription medication. But hopefully your pet will receive a clean bill of health and you won’t need to make another vet appointment again until your pet’s next scheduled checkup!
