The Importance of Preventive Care
Pet wellness exams, when combined with routinely administered vaccinations and parasite prevention treatments, are critical in helping your dog or cat maintain good long-term physical health.
Routine examinations include regular physical checkups to give your pet the best chance at excellent lifelong health.
When you bring your dog or cat in for their 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 Pets Wellness Exam
Our Murfreesboro veterinarians will provide your cat or dog with a comprehensive physical checkup of their overall health and wellbeing. Routinely scheduled wellness exams at our hospital generally include any or all the following elements:
General Condition
Your pet's general condition and demeanor can provide us with some clues as to their overall health and well-being. The way they stand and walk as well as their general alertness and their weight when compared to their size can all be important initial indicators of their health.
Coat & Skin
During your pet's checkup, we 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 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 test these to ensure they're normal. The lungs will then be examined for evidence of abnormal breathing.
We will check your pet's lymph nodes for swelling or pain and may also examine their abdomen for signs of discomfort or swelling in the kidneys, bladder, liver spleen, and stomach.
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 will provide your new family member with a comprehensive physical examination, any appropriate immunizations they may need as well as deworming medication. You will also be given a kit of informational materials and product samples to help you care for your new best friend.
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, nutrition, and technology, our senior pets are now living longer than they ever have before.
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.
On top of the routine wellness exams we provide all our adult patients, we will give your senior pet special attention as we keep on the lookout for geriatric conditions like decreased vision or 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 Murfreesboro, our veterinarians will also check whether your pet requires any preventive care or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.