Routine wellness exams from our vets at Carrier Animal Hospital focus on preventive care for your pet. These regular examinations are pet checkups to help ensure your animal is in good health.
The Importance of Pet Checkups
Annual wellness exams are critical to helping your pet maintain good long-term physical health.
Combined with regular vaccinations, parasite prevention and proper nutrition, these routine examinations include regular physical checkups to give your pet the best chance at optimal lifelong health.
When you bring your pet in for a dog checkup or cat checkup, we are able to examine your pet for early signs of developing health problems, and treat any issues before they become more serious.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
Your Grand Prairie vet will give your dog or cat a thorough physical checkup in order to get a complete picture of your pet's overall health. Routine pet checkups at our Grand Prairie animal clinic include the following elements:
General Condition
Your pet's general demeanor and physical condition can provide us with clues to their overall health. How your pet stands and walks, their level of alertness, and whether they are a healthy weight for their size are all important indicators of overall health.
Coat & Skin
During your pet's checkup, we will examine your their skin and coat for signs of problems, including excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps, bumps, dandruff, or abnormal hair loss or shedding.
Face & Head
Your dog or cat's eyes, ears, and nose will be examined for abnormalities or discharge. The vet will also check your pet's 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 important to your animal's heart health. Our team will 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 displaying any signs of discomfort.
Review of Findings
At the end of your pet's routine wellness exam, your veterinarian will take the time to discuss any concerns they may have about your pet's overall health and speak to you about your dog or cat's nutritional requirements.
Pet Checkups for Puppies & Kittens
Puppies and kittens need proper medical attention in their first few weeks of life to get off to a healthy start.
Our Grand Prairie vets will give your new best friend a complete physical examination, appropriate immunizations, deworming medication, and test for intestinal parasites. You'll be provided with a puppy or kitten 'kit' filled with informational material and samples to help you care for your new furry friend.
Never hesitate to contact our Grand Prairie vet clinic with any questions or concerns you may have about caring for your new pet, both at your appointments or following your visits.
Once your puppy or kitten's checkup is complete, you'll return periodically for their required booster shots.
Seniors
Thanks to 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 animal's routine healthcare as they age. Once your pet surpasses middle age, regular examinations become crucial to ensuring your animal's continuing good 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 mobility issues, decreased vision, and oral health problems.
Diagnostic tests may be recommended for aging pets in order to provide more detailed information about their overall health and wellbeing.
Vaccinations & Prevention
During your pet's veterinary checkup at our Grand Prairie animal hospital, the vet will also check whether your animal requires preventive care, or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.