My pet seems healthy. Do they really need an exam every year?
One of the things we hear all the time is, “My pet seems healthy. Do they really need an exam every year?”
Honestly, that’s exactly what we want! One of my favorite things to hear during an appointment is that a pet is doing great and nothing has changed. But even when our pets seem perfectly healthy, regular wellness visits are one of the best ways we can help keep them that way.
I tell clients all the time that pets are masters of disguise. Many common conditions, such as dental disease, arthritis, allergies, heart disease, kidney disease, and even some cancers, can develop gradually and quietly. By the time obvious signs appear, those problems may have been present for months, or even years.
Annual exams give us the opportunity to establish a baseline, monitor changes over time, and catch little problems before they become bigger ones. Often, identifying concerns early means more treatment options, better outcomes, and less stress for everyone involved.
One of the most valuable tools we have is wellness bloodwork. Just as important as any single number is the ability to monitor trends over time. Maybe a kidney value is still technically within the normal range, but it’s been gradually increasing over the past few years. Maybe a thyroid level has changed since the last visit. Those trends can provide important clues and allow us to make adjustments long before a pet becomes sick.
Wellness visits are about much more than vaccines. They give us a chance to talk about nutrition, weight management, mobility, dental health, parasite prevention, and any changes you’ve noticed at home. No question is too small, sometimes the things owners almost hesitate to mention turn out to be the most important clues.
As pets enter their senior years, they age much more quickly than we do. That’s why we often recommend wellness exams and routine screening tests every six months for older pets. A lot can change in six months when you’re a dog or cat!
And while most people don’t love bringing their pets in to the clinic, I love being able to tell families that everything looks great and that their pet is healthy and thriving.
After all, preventive care isn’t about looking for problems, it’s about helping our pets enjoy as many happy, healthy years with their families as possible.
— Dr. Susan