Cat & Dog Wellness Exams

What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical

Your dog or cat will receive a thorough physical examination from your Weldon Spring veterinarian to obtain a complete picture of his or her overall health. The following items are included in our animal clinic's routine wellness exams:

General Condition

The general demeanor and physical condition of your pet can reveal information about their overall health. The way they stand and walk, how alert they are, and whether or not they are a healthy weight for their size are all important indicators of overall health.

Coat & Skin

We will examine your dog or cat's skin and coat for signs of problems such as excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps, bumps, dandruff, or abnormal hair loss or shedding during your pet's checkup.

Face & Head

The eyes, ears, and nose of your pet will be checked for abnormalities or discharge. We'll also look for signs of oral health issues like plaque buildup or periodontal disease in your mouth.

Internal Health

Your pet's heart health depends on his or her heart rate and rhythm, pulse, and blood pressure. We'll check to see if they're normal. After that, the lungs will be examined for signs of abnormal breathing.

We'll check the lymph nodes for pain or swelling, and we'll examine the abdomen to make sure the intestines, kidneys, bladder, spleen, liver, and stomach are all in good working order and that your pet isn't in any pain.

Review of Findings

Your veterinarian will take the time at the end of your pet's routine wellness exam to discuss any concerns they may have about your pet's overall health and to inform you about your dog or cat's nutritional needs.

Checkups for Puppies & Kittens

To get off to a healthy start, puppies and kittens require medical attention during their first few weeks of life.

We'll give your new best friend a thorough physical exam, as well as the necessary vaccinations and deworming medication. We'll also check for parasites in the intestine. You'll receive a puppy or kitten 'kit' containing educational materials and samples to assist you in caring for your new family member.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about caring for your new pet, either during your appointments or afterward.

Once your puppy or kitten's checkup is complete, you'll return periodically for his or her required booster shots. 

Seniors

Senior pets are living longer than ever before thanks to recent advances in veterinary medical knowledge and care, as well as newer therapies and better nutrition.

While this is great news for pets and their owners, it does mean that your pet's routine healthcare will need to be given extra attention as they get older.

Regular examinations become increasingly important as your pet approaches middle age, ensuring their continued health and longevity.

We will pay special attention to your senior pet's potential geriatric conditions, such as arthritis or decreased vision, in addition to the routine wellness procedures we perform on all adult pets.

For aging pets, additional laboratory tests may be recommended to provide more detailed information about their overall health and well-being.

Nutritional Counseling

While undergoing a routine physical examination, our veterinarians will inquire about your pet'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 one of our vets believes that your pet could benefit from a change in their diet, they will make a recommendation to you regarding what changes they think would be most effective.

Allergy Testing & Treatment

In many cases ear, skin, coat, and nail conditions seen in dogs and cats are caused by either environmental or food allergies. That's where veterinary allergy testing comes in.

At Tender Care Animal Hospital we offer allergy tests to help us identify the precise cause of your pet's allergy symptoms. Understanding what your pet is sensitive to allows us to create a customized treatment plan to address your pet's symptoms.