Regular Pet Health Check-ups: Comprehensive Guide
Caring for our beloved pets involves more than just providing food and shelter. Regular wellness exams are essential to ensure their overall health and wellbeing. Let's delve into the significance of these check-ups and what you can expect during a visit.
Firstly, both cats and dogs, regardless of age and lifestyle, should undergo a pet health checkup at least once a year. However, outdoor cats may require more frequent visits due to different risk factors. For instance, they might be more susceptible to parasites and other health issues.
During these exams, your veterinarian will perform a complete physical exam, looking for subtle indicators of underlying disease. This includes assessing the condition of your pet's skin and coat, feeling for any lumps or bumps on the skin. They will also move your pet's limbs around to check for pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Your veterinarian will examine your pet's eyes and ears, look inside the mouth, and check your pet's teeth carefully. They will also listen to your pet's heart and lungs and check your pet's pulses. A crucial part of the exam is assessing your pet's body weight, body condition score, and muscle condition score.
Senior pets, starting around 7 or 8 years of age, should have wellness exams at least every six months. Senior cats, in particular, should generally be examined every six months. For healthy senior cats aged 7 to 10 years, annual wellness exams with comprehensive bloodwork and biannual physical exams are recommended. For geriatric cats older than 11 years, biannual wellness exams with bloodwork and quarterly physical exams are advised. Cats with existing health conditions may require more frequent visits, often every 3 to 6 months, tailored to their specific needs.
These routine six-month veterinary visits for senior cats help early detection of common age-related health issues such as kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, arthritis, dental disease, and cognitive decline.
Puppies and kittens, on the other hand, have monthly wellness exams for the first 16-20 weeks of life before switching to yearly checkups.
During wellness exams, your veterinarian may conduct diagnostic tests, such as fecal parasite testing, bloodwork, urinalysis, heartworm testing for dogs, and Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) testing for cats.
The cost of pet wellness exams can vary greatly, depending on location, type of practice, and tests or vaccines performed during the visit. A routine veterinary exam can cost between $50 and $150, not including vaccines or diagnostic testing. Vaccines typically range from $25 to $60 each, and diagnostic tests can range from $40 to $250. Pet insurance coverage for wellness exams may be offered at an additional cost.
Preparing for your pet's wellness checkup involves bringing any prior records of medical treatment and test results, creating a list of questions for your veterinarian, and bringing in stool and urine samples from your pet for testing before the appointment.
In conclusion, regular pet wellness exams are crucial for early detection of potential health issues, ensuring a longer and healthier life for our beloved pets.
Pet insurance can provide financial assistance for regular pet health checkups and potential health treatments, contributing to the overall pet wellness.
The science of health-and-wellness, as applied to pets, involves the early detection of age-related diseases, such as kidney disease or arthritis, through routine wellness exams, which ensure a longer, healthier life for our pets.
