The Importance of Preventive Care
Wellness examinations are essential for your pet's long-term physical health.
Combined with regular vaccinations, parasite prevention and proper nutrition, these routine examinations include regular physical checkups to give your pet the best chance at excellent lifelong health.
By bringing your dog or cat in for a routine vet checkup, you can help prevent health issues from developing or catch them early, when they are easiest to treat.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
Your Stockton vet 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 animal clinic include the following elements:
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 they are a healthy weight for their size are all important indicators of 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
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.
Internal Health
Heart rate and rhythm, pulse and blood pressure are vitally important to your pet's heart health. We'll check to see if they're normal. After that, the lungs will be examined for signs of abnormal breathing.
We'll also check the lymph nodes for pain or swelling, and we will examine the abdomen to ensure the intestines, kidneys, bladder, spleen, liver and stomach all feel normal.
Nutritional Counseling
Maintaining a healthy diet is crucial to your pet's well-being. As part of our routine wellness exams, we also offer advice and counseling on food and diet for your pet to help keep them healthy and happy for years to come.
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 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" with educational materials and samples to assist you in caring for your new family member.
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 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. To ensure their continued health and longevity, regular examinations become increasingly important as your pet approaches middle age
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.
For aging pets, additional laboratory tests may be recommended to provide more detailed information about their overall health and well-being.
Vaccinations & Prevention
During your pet's veterinary checkup at our Stockton animal hospital, the vet will also check whether your animal requires preventive care and if they are due for any vaccinations.
