Examinations

Why are annual physical exams so important? 

The veterinarian is able to assess your cat physically over all healthy as well as their life style at home. Your pet may seem normal or fine at home but remember they are aging 7 times faster each year.   Dogs and Cats mask when they are sick or feel bad—they can hide suffering and pain very well, so you may not know that they’re suffering. Indoor cats and dogs need yearly exams because they can’t get sick, or have a congenital or chronic disease, bacterial or viral infection, severe tooth decay or gum disease, inflammation causing health issues, or a possible stress-related illness.

Benefits of Annual Physical Exams for Cats

Annual physical exams give you peace of mind knowing the state of your pets health. Annual exams give you a baseline for what is normal for your pets health so you can readily see any changes from the previous year. Yearly checkups can lengthen your pets life expectancy by addressing health issues early on before they become more serious and advanced and difficult to treat. Your veterinarian will be able to detect any new health problems or chronic conditions and treat them immediately, that might have otherwise been missed or delayed if you waited another year.

What to Expect at Your Pets Annual Exam

Annual wellness visits are considered nose-to-tail physical exams where your vet will check the following on your cat:

• Mouth, teeth and gums for disease and tooth decay
• Eyes and ears for infections, inflammation and any drainage
• Skin –largest organ on the body, for healthy, grooming, loose, masses
• Nose for congestion or drainage, hyperkertanosis
• Heart for heart murmurs or abnormal sounds and rhythms
• Lungs for respiratory congestion or abnormalities
• Kidneys are manually checked for pain, sensitivity and size
• Fur is checked for flea dirt and fleas, and condition of the coat
• Leg joints for range of movement
• Internal organs will be palpated for any signs of abnormalities or problems

For an internal organ assessment on organ function we recommend annual bloodwork to catch diseases early