Routine vet exams from our vets at Raintree Veterinary Center in Hoquiam focus on preventive care for your dog or cat. These routine exams are pet checkups that help ensure your animal is in good health.
The Importance of Preventive Care for Pets
Routine vet checkups are a critical component in helping your pet maintain good long-term physical health.
Combined with regular vaccinations, parasite prevention and proper nutrition, these routine examinations include regular physical checkups to give your four-legged friend their best chance at excellent lifelong health.
When you bring your dog or cat in for their annual routine checkup, we can prevent health issues from developing in your pet, or catch them early, when they are most treatable.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
Your Hoquiam vet will give your dog or cat a comprehensive physical checkup in order to get a complete picture of your pet's overall health. Routine wellness exams at Raintree Veterinary Center include the following elements:
General Condition
Your pet's general demeanor and physical condition can provide your vet with vital clues to your animal's overall health. How your pet stands and walks, their level of alertness, and whether they are a healthy weight 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 to look for any signs of problems, including excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps, bumps, dandruff, or abnormal shedding and hair loss.
Face & Head
The vet will examine your animal's eyes, ears, and nose for abnormalities or discharge. We will also check the mouth for symptoms of oral health problems such as plaque buildup or periodontal disease.
Internal Health
Your pet's heart rate and rhythm, pulse, and blood pressure are critically important to your animal's heart health. Our team will test these to ensure they're normal. The lungs will then be examined for evidence of breathing abnormalities.
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 showing any signs of pain or discomfort.
Review of Findings
At the end of your pet's routine wellness exam, 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 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.
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 procedures we perform on all adult pets, we will pay special attention to your senior pet's geriatric conditions, such as arthritis or decreased vision.
Nutritional Consulting
The right diet can help to increase your pet's life expectancy and improve their overall quality of life. Animals that receive a nutritionally balanced diet experience fewer stomach issues, less sensitive skin and a healthier coat.
A nutritional consultation with your Hoquiam vet can provide you with the information you need to resolve you pet's weight issues, prevent diet related health issues, and modify your pet's diet in order to successfully manage conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease.
Vaccinations & Prevention
During your pet's veterinary checkup at our Hoquiam animal hospital, the vet will also check whether your animal requires preventive care, or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.