Semi-Annual Examination

We recommend annual and semi-annual wellness physical exams. The information we gather at each exam becomes a part of your pet's medical history and can be critical if an emergency or sudden illness arises. Remember that our pets will age four to seven times faster than we do, so changes can occur very rapidly. Although these changes can be subtle, they can occur rapidly. As part of these complete exams, we do the following. Check for significant weight loss, which can be an early warning sign of disease. Obesity is a common problem in all pets. We will assess your pet's diet and nutritional needs, check the condition of legs, hips, joints, spine and examine the hair and coat.

Your pet should appear healthy and well groomed. A dull, dry brittle hair coat or hair loss may indicate an underlying illness. We will check the skin for infection or the presence of fleas, ticks or mites. The abdomen will the palpated for abnormal masses or discomfort. We will listen to the chest for a heart murmur, irregular heartbeat or any abnormal lung sounds. The eyes will be examined for cataracts or inflammation. The nose and nasal passages will be evaluated for signs of upper respiratory disease. We check for evidence of periodontal disease. As many as 95% of all pets two years and older have periodontal disease. We will also evaluate your pet's teeth and check the color and condition of the gums. The lymph nodes will be palpate for enlargement or tumors. A blood test for heartworms and tick borne diseases will be done. We will perform a rectal examination, checking for abnormalities and analyze a stool sample for intestinal parasites.