The Importance of Preventive Care
Wellness exams are key to helping your pet achieve and maintain good long-term physical health.
Combined with proper nutrition, regular vaccinations and parasite prevention, these routine physical checkups give your pet the best chance at exceptional lifelong health.
When you bring your dog or cat in for their routine exam, we're able to prevent health issues from developing in your pet, or catch them early when they're most treatable.
Wellness exams are critical to helping your pet maintain good long-term physical health.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
Our Echo Park vets can capture a complete picture of your dog or cat's overall health when we give them a thorough physical checkup. At our animal clinic, routine wellness exams include these elements:
General Condition
Did you know we can glean clues to your pet's overall health by assessing their general demeanor and physical condition? Their level of alertness, whether they are a healthy weight for their size and how they stand and walk are all important indicators of health.
Coat & Skin
When performing your pet's checkup, we will examine your dog or cat's coat and skin for signs of issues, including abnormal hair loss or shedding, lumps, bumps, dandruff, excessive oiliness or dryness.
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 require proper medical attention in their first few weeks of life to get off to a healthy start.
We'll give your new best friend a thorough physical examination deworming medication and appropriate immunizations. We'll also test for intestinal parasites. You'll receive a puppy or kitten 'kit' full of educational material and samples to help you care for the newest member of your family.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you might have about caring for your new pet, both during your appointments or between visits.
Once your puppy or kitten's checkup is complete, you'll return every so often 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 Echo Park animal hospital, your vet will also look into whether your animal needs preventive care, or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.