Why Annual Wellness Exams Are Crucial for Your Pet’s Health

It’s hard to beat a head boop from our favorite feline or a slobbery kiss from our canine companion. Our pets provide us with so much joy and affection, and the most loving thing we can do in return is stay current with pet wellness exams.  

At Branch Vet, our goal is to help every pet feel his or her best, so in this blog, we explore why annual checkups for pets are the key to a lifetime of optimal health. 

Why Pet Preventive Care is a Priority

Does your pet love to hide toys under the furniture? Believe it or not, they are masters at hiding illnesses as well—it’s built into their DNA to do so. In the wild, weakness equals vulnerability. Pet wellness exams play a crucial role in helping us identify problems hiding beneath the surface. When we catch health issues early on, we can typically treat them more effectively and spare your pet from unnecessary pain or discomfort. 

What Happens During a Pet Wellness Visit?  

• We take your pet’s health history (if we haven’t already) and perform a thorough nose-to-tail examination. We look at your pet’s eyes, ears, mouth, and skin; listen to the heart; and palpate the abdomen. 

• We ask about any health changes or behavioral changes you’ve noticed. 

• We make suggestions regarding diagnostic testing (such as blood work or heartworm testing), nutritional needs, weight management (if needed), lifestyle vaccines, parasite prevention, and follow-up dental care if necessary. 

• We administer core vaccines to protect your pet from contagious diseases.

Partnering with You and Your Pet

Pet wellness exams offer another perk that tends to get less attention: These annual checkups for pets create valuable opportunities for us to get to know you and your pet. When you establish a relationship with a veterinarian who is familiar with your pet’s health history, you ensure a continuum of care for your precious pet, which can prove vital in case of an emergency. 

How Often Do Pets Need Wellness Exams?

Annual checkups for pets are usually sufficient for otherwise healthy animals. Puppies and kittens need multiple visits during their first year to get them safely up to date on vaccines, flea and tick prevention, deworming, and spay/neutering. Senior pets and those with chronic health conditions need more frequent pet wellness exams so we can monitor them closely.

Pet Preventive Care Is Key

The goal of pet preventive care is clear: Pets can live longer, healthier lives when we prevent health problems to begin with and catch diseases early on when we can treat them more effectively. Please contact us at (830) 885-5443 to schedule a pet wellness exam for your cat or dog, or if you have questions about our veterinary services.