The Importance of Preventive Care for Pets in Perry
Pet annual exams are dog checkups and cat checkups that help your vet to prevent health issues from developing in your pet, or catch them early, when they are most treatable.
Combined with regular vaccinations, parasite prevention, and proper nutrition, routine wellness examinations form the cornerstone of your pet's life-long healthcare plan to support optimum good health and longevity.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
During your dog or cat's vet checkup at our veterinary clinic in Perry, we will give your pet a thorough physical checkup in order to get a complete picture of their overall health. Routine pet annual exams at our animal clinic include the following elements:
General Condition
Your pet's general demeanor and physical condition can provide clues to their overall health. How they stand and walk, their level of alertness, and whether they are a healthy weight for their size are all important indicators of overall health.
Coat & Skin
During your pet's checkup, we will examine your dog or cat's skin and coat for signs of problems, including excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps, bumps, dandruff, or abnormal hair loss or shedding.
Face & Head
Your pet's eyes, ears, and nose will be examined for abnormalities or discharge. We will also check the mouth for symptoms of oral health problems such as plaque buildup or periodontal disease.
Nutritional Advice
During your pet's routine exam, your vet will inquire about your animal's diet. The kind of food, amount of food, and frequency with which they eat can all impact your pet's health, and all of those are easy to change. If we believe that your pet could benefit from a change in their diet, your vet will make a recommendation to you regarding what changes they think would be most effective.
Breeding Consultation
At Westmoreland & Slappey Animal Hospital we understand that breeding your dog or cat is a significant financial investment, so you will want to do all you can to help your pet have a successful pregnancy and trouble-free birth. During your pet's routine exam our vets are happy to answer your questions and provide insights into the general reproductive health of your pet.
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'll give your new best friend a complete physical examination, appropriate immunizations, and deworming medication. We will also test for intestinal parasites.
You'll be provided with a puppy or kitten 'kit' filled with educational material and samples 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.
In addition to the routine wellness procedures we perform on all adult pets, we will give special attention to your senior pet's potential geriatric conditions, such as arthritis or decreased vision.
Additional laboratory tests may be recommended for aging pets to provide more detailed information about your senior pet's overall health and wellbeing.
Vaccinations & Prevention
When you bring your dog or cat in to Westmoreland & Slappey Animal Hospital for their pet checkup our vets will also check whether your animal requires any preventive care, or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.