The Importance of Preventive Care
Wellness exams are a critical component of caring for your pet's long-term physical health.
When combined with routine vaccinations, parasite prevention and proper nutrition, these annual or twice-yearly examinations include regular physical checkups to give your pet the best chance at excellent lifelong health.
Bringing your dog or cat in for their routine checkup provides our vets with an opportunity to help prevent health issues from developing in your pet, or catch them early, when they are most treatable.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Vet Checkup at Yolinda Animal Hospital
When you bring your pet to our Placentia vet for a routine exam we will give your dog or cat a thorough physical checkup in order to get a complete picture of their overall health. Routine wellness exams at our veterinary clinic include the following elements:
General Condition
An animal's general demeanor and physical condition can provide vital clues to their overall health. How your pet stands and walks, 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, our vets 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 dog or cat's eyes, ears, and nose will be examined for inflammation, abnormalities or discharge. We will also check the mouth for symptoms of oral health problems such as plaque buildup or periodontal disease.
Internal Health
Heart rate and rhythm, pulse, and blood pressure are vitally important to your pet's heart health. We'll test these to ensure they're normal. The lungs will then be examined for evidence of abnormal breathing.
Lymph nodes will be checked for pain or swelling, and we will also examine the abdomen to ensure the intestines, kidneys, bladder, spleen, liver, and stomach all feel normal, and that your pet is not exhibiting any signs of discomfort.
Review of Findings
At the end of your pet's checkup, your vet will take the time to discuss any concerns they may have about your pet's overall health and talk to you about your dog or cat's nutritional requirements.
Checkups for Puppies & Kittens
Puppies and kittens require proper medical attention in their first few weeks of life to get off to a healthy start.
We'll give your new four-legged family member 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.
If you have any questions or concerns about caring for your new pet never hesitate to speak to us, either in person at your appointments or by phone following your visits.
Once your puppy or kitten's checkup is complete, you'll return periodically for their required booster shots.
Seniors
Thanks to recent advances in veterinary medical knowledge and care, as well as newer therapies and better nutrition, senior pets are living longer than ever.
This is terrific news for pets and their owners, but it means that special attention needs to be given to your pet's routine healthcare as they age. Once your pet surpasses middle age, regular examinations become increasingly important for ensuring 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 in order to provide your vet with more detailed information about your senior pet's overall health and wellbeing.
Vaccinations & Prevention
During your pet's veterinary checkup at our Placentia animal hospital, the vet will also check whether your dog or cat requires preventive care, or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.
