South Shore Veterinary Hosptial wants all pet owners to know that pets require routine veterinary care to maintain their good health. Nothing is more important than regular wellness care to ensure subtle diseases do not go undetected and to protect your pet from the many illnesses that can be easily prevented. In honor of National Pet Wellness Month, let’s look at how wellness care protects your furry companion and averts unnecessary sickness and suffering.
What happens during my pet’s wellness exam?
During your pet’s wellness visit, our veterinarian will perform a nose-to-tail physical exam and discuss any abnormalities or behavior changes you may have noticed. Subtle changes in your pet’s lifestyle, attitude, activity, or appetite can indicate a hidden problem that can become serious without diagnosis and treatment. A thorough physical exam can uncover changes in heart rate and rhythm, respiratory issues, skin and hair coat changes, abnormalities in organ shape and size, and eye, ear, or dental problems that you may not have noticed.
Why is routine diagnostic testing important for my pet’s health?
In addition to a thorough physical exam, routine diagnostic testing is a vital part of your pet’s overall wellness care. Diagnostic tests, such as blood work, X-rays, urinalysis, and fecal exams, allow us to look more closely at your four-legged friend’s health status. Routine testing also provides a baseline of your pet’s normal values, so we can monitor patterns and changes over the years, leading to earlier diagnosis and easier treatment.
How does wellness care prevent disease in my pet?
In addition to detecting hidden issues, we work to prevent disease in your pet through routine wellness care. Vaccinations, parasite prevention, diet recommendations, behavior adjustments, and at-home dental care advice are a few of the wellness services we offer that are designed to help your furry pal live their best life, by avoiding or mitigating future health issues.
The best medicine is preventive medicine, which is the ultimate way to keep your furry friend by your side for many years to come. Give us a call to schedule your pet’s wellness exam, to ensure your best friend is in tip-top shape.