Physical Exam

"Why does my pet need a physical exam?"

We recommend an annual physical exam for your pet. For senior pets age 6 or older, a twice a year exam is recommended. The information we gather at each exam becomes part of your pet's medical history and it gives valuable baseline information to monitor health or manage illness, and the information can be critical if an emergency or sudden illness arises. In some cases, a pet's illness or health issue may need to be addressed before the pet can receive vaccines.

As part of a comprehensive physical exam, we:

• Check for weight loss or gain.



• Assess your pet's diet and nutritional needs.



• Assess the condition of legs, hips, joints and spine.



• Assess the hair and coat. Dull dry hair or hair loss may indicate an underlying disease.



• Check skin for infection, fleas, ticks or mites.



• Check mouth and throat for inflammation or tumors.



• Evaluate your pet's behavior.



• Make recommendations as needed.



• Listen to the heart and lungs.



• Examine eyes for cataracts, glaucoma or inflammation.



• Examine ears for mites, infection or inflammation.



• Evaluate nose and nasal passages for respiratory disease.



• Check teeth and gums for dental disease.



• Palpate lymph nodes for inflammation or tumors.



• Palpate the abdomen for abnormal masses or pain.



• Perform full body exam and check for any changes or abnormalities.



• Discuss the complete findings of your pet's exam.



• Discuss any questions or concerns you may have regarding your pet's health.