The Importance of Preventive Care
Wellness exams are an incredibly important part of 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 pet the best chance at excellent lifelong health.
When you bring your cat or dog in for a routine vet checkup, you are giving our vets the chance to prevent health issues from developing in your pet as well as catch problems early and at their most treatable.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
Your Clovis vet will give your dog or cat a thorough physical checkup to get a complete picture of his or her overall health. Routine wellness exams at our animal clinic include the following elements:
General Condition
Your pet's general demeanor and physical condition can help to provide clues to their overall health and well-being. How your pet stands and walks, their level of alertness, and their weight for their breed and size are all important indicators of their general health.
Coat & Skin
During your pet's routine checkup, we will examine your cat or dog for signs of health issues including excessive dryness, bumps, lumps dandruff, and the abnormal loss of hair.
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
The heart rate and heart rhythm, pulse, and blood pressure of your pet are incredibly important to your pet's heart and overall health. We will also test to ensure they are normal. We will examine their lungs for any 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 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.
Puppy & Kitten Checkup
Puppies and kittens need proper medical attention in their first few weeks of life to get off to a healthy start.
We will provide your new best friend with a comprehensive physical examination and assessment, appropriate immunizations, and any deworming medications they might need. We will also test your pet for intestinal parasites. You will be provided with a puppy or kitten "kit" that is filled with educational materials and samples to help you care for the newest member of your family.
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 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 for all adult pets, we will give your senior cat or dog special attention to potential geriatric conditions like decreased vision and arthritis.
Additional laboratory tests may be recommended for aging pets to provide more detailed information about your senior pet's overall health and wellbeing.
Vaccinations & Prevention
During your pet's vet checkup at our animal hospital in Clovis, your vet will also check whether or not your animal requires preventive care or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.
