The Importance of Your Pet’s Physical Exam Our goal is to help you enjoy your pet for as many years as possible. We strive to educate you about preventative well care and how to manage your pet’s medical needs. We are dedicated to the proper care for your pet–a team effort involving you, our veterinarians, and our veterinary support staff.
Unlike when we go to our doctor, your pet can’t always tell you where it hurts. Pets often mask their pain; this is a survival behavior learned in the wild. A comprehensive physical exam and discussion of symptoms with clients allows our doctors to detect any abnormalities that can help uncover disease.
Early detection and treatment are essential to avoid undue suffering and to prolong the quality and longevity of your pet’s life. The doctor may ask about any changes in your pet’s body weight, appetite, water intake or urination and bowel habits, as well as general attitude and activity level. These changes may signal diseases such as liver, kidney or heart problems. Lumps and bumps under the skin may seem harmless but can be cancerous. Ear infections, abscessed teeth and gum disease are common, painful conditions that may not become obvious until seriously advanced. A comprehensive physical exam is the basic tool our doctors use to evaluate your pet’s health status and to help you make informed decisions about the care of your special companion.
Many symptoms initially look harmless, but changes in weight or appetite may signal liver, kidney or heart problems. Lumps and bumps under the skin can be cancerous. Ear infections and abscessed teeth are both common and painful, but may not be obvious to owners until seriously advanced. A comprehensive physical exam is the basic tool our doctors use to evaluate your pet’s health status and to help you make informed decisions about the care of your special companion.
A physical exam is a complete hands-on assessment of your pet’s health status. Our doctors are trained to detect disease by listening (auscultation), feeling (palpating) and looking (visual evaluation). First, we weigh your pet and evaluate his or her heart rate and respiration. After taking these basic measurements, your pet is examined from head to tail while all vital organs along the way are gently palpated. Every body system is checked for disease. During the physical exam, your doctor assesses the risks your pet has for contracting preventable diseases caused by internal parasites (heartworms and intestinal worms) and external parasites (fleas, mites and ticks). You will receive advice on how to prevent these disease causing agents with medications and/or vaccinations.
Every species of animal ages at a different rate, and so does every breed of dog. Generally, large dogs age faster than small dogs. Ask your veterinarian how to plan for your individual pet’s optimal life-span. Described here are the ‘average’ life stages for a dog or cat and our advice for basic well care management.
Begin with several thorough physical examinations to evaluate your pet’s basic health and to detect congenital problems that need to be managed. Most animals are born healthy, but some pets are born with heart disease, bone abnormalities, or hernias. Some congenital conditions are not immediately evident, so young pets benefit from frequent visits to their veterinarian. Young animals are especially susceptible to infectious diseases until they build up immunity. Immunization is accomplished through a series of vaccines beginning between seven and nine weeks of age, completed at four to five months of age, and will continued to be boostered yearly as recommended by your veterinarian.
We recommend an annual comprehensive physical exam and blood screening as indicated. This wellness program helps our doctors determine your pet’s physiological ‘individual normal’ rather than compare him or her to an ‘average normal’.
Age seven for most pets is similar to midlife for a human between forty and fifty years old. At this time, organ systems begin to deteriorate depending on lifestyle and genes. The challenge for us is to detect and manage health problems so pets can enjoy life to the fullest. It may be wise to step up the number of exams to twice a year since pets age about five years for every human year. Good Health for your Pet may Include Periodic Blood Testing Early detection and treatment is essential for your pet’s long and healthy life. A Blood Chemistry Screen or Complete Blood Count can pick up a problem before it’s caught on physical examination. Early detection of diabetes, kidney and liver disease, as well as metabolic imbalance, is possible with blood screening. Your veterinarian or veterinary support staff may discuss Senior Wellness Testing as part of your pet’s yearly physical examination. Detecting and Managing Disease Conditions Pets with disease conditions require more intense monitoring than healthy pets. Medical technology changes rapidly and visiting your veterinarian regularly ensures that your pet is receiving the very best and up-to-date care. Of course, a physical exam is appropriate anytime you suspect a problem.
275 West Olentangy Street
(Powell Road) Powell, OH 43065
Mon-Thur: 8 am-6 pm
Friday: 8 am-5 pm
Saturday: 8 am-Noon
Sunday: Closed
