The Importance of Preventive Care
Routine vet checkups are vital to helping your pet maintain good long-term physical health.
Combined with regular vaccinations, parasite prevention, and appropriate nutrition, these routine examinations include regularly scheduled physical cat & dog checkups to offer your pet the best chance at excellent lifelong health.
When we see your dog or cat for their routine veterinary checkup, we can prevent health issues from developing in your pet or detect them early, when they are most treatable.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
To capture a complete picture of his or her overall health, your vet in Merced will give your cat or dog a thorough physical veterinary checkup. Routine wellness exams at our pet hospital include these elements:
General Condition
Were you aware that your pet's physical condition and general demeanor can provide clues to their overall health? Their level of alertness, whether they are a healthy weight for their size and how they stand and walk all point to how healthy they are in general.
Coat & Skin
We will check your dog or cat's skin and coat for signs of issues during their checkup. These problems can include excessive dryness or oiliness, abnormal hair loss or shedding, bumps, lumps or dandruff.
Face & Head
Your pet's eyes, ears, and nose will be examined for abnormalities or discharge. We will also check the 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 vitally important to your pet's heart health. We'll 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 exhibiting any signs of discomfort.
Review of Findings
At the end of your pet's routine wellness exam, your vet will take the time to discuss any concerns they may have about your pet's overall health and talk to you about your dog or cat's nutritional requirements.
Checkups for Puppies & Kittens
In their first few weeks of life, puppies and kittens need proper medical attention to help them get off to a healthy start.
We'll perform a complete physical examination for your new best friend and provide deworming medication and appropriate immunizations. They will also be tested for intestinal parasites. You'll receive a puppy or kitten 'kit' filled with samples and educational material to help you care for your newest family member.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have about caring for your new pet, both during your appointments or following your visits.
Once your puppy or kitten has had their checkup, you'll return periodically for his or her required booster shots.
Seniors
With 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 pet's routine healthcare as they age. As your pet surpasses middle age, regular examinations become increasingly crucial to ensure their continuing 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 arthritis or decreased vision.
Additional laboratory tests may be recommended for aging pets to provide more detailed information about your senior pet's overall health and wellbeing.
Vaccinations & Prevention
When your pet comes in for their veterinary checkup at our Merced animal hospital, the vet will confirm whether your animal needs preventive care, or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.