The Importance of Preventive Pet Wellness Exams
By conducting wellness exams, our vets can help your pet maintain good long-term physical health.
Combined with regular vaccinations, parasite prevention and appropriate nutrition, these routine examinations include regular physical checkups that allow your pet the best chance at excellent lifelong health.
When you bring your dog or cat in for their wellness checkup, we're often able to prevent health issues from developing in your pet or catch them early, when they are most treatable.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Checkup
Your Woburn vet will conduct a thorough physical checkup for your cat or dog to capture a complete snapshot of his or her overall health. Wellness exams at our clinic include these elements:
General Condition
Are you aware that we can glean clues as to how healthy your pet is from their physical condition and general demeanor? How they stand and walk, whether they are a healthy weight for their size, and their level of alertness all point to their overall health.
Coat & Skin
We will examine your cat or dog's coat and skin for signs of problems, including abnormal hair loss or shedding, excessive oiliness or dryness, dandruff, bumps or lumps 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 test these to ensure they're normal. The lungs will then be examined for 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.
Checkups for Puppies & Kittens
To help them get off to a healthy start, puppies and kittens need proper medical attention in their first few weeks of life.
We'll give your new best friend a complete physical examination, deworming medication and appropriate immunizations. We'll also test for intestinal parasites. You'll receive a puppy or kitten 'kit' filled with samples and educational material to help you care for the newest member of your family.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you might have about caring for your new pet, both during your appointments or following your visits.
Once your puppy or kitten's checkup is complete, you'll return periodically for the booster shots he or she will need.
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 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.
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 at Woburn Animal Hospital
During your pet's veterinary checkup at our animal hospital in Woburn, the vet will determine whether your animal needs preventive care, or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.