Cat & Dog Wellness Exams

What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical Checkup

Your Austell vet will provide your pet with a thorough physical checkup to get a full picture of their overall health. Routine wellness exams at our clinic include checking the following elements:

General Condition

Your pet's general demeanor and physical condition can provide clues to their overall health. How they stand and walk, how alert they are and whether they are a healthy weight for their size are some of the important indicators of overall health.

Coat & Skin

During your dog or cat's checkup, we will examine your pet's skin and coat for signs of problems. These include excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps or bumps, dandruff and abnormal hair loss or shedding.

Face & Head

We will examine your pet's eyes, ears and nose for abnormalities or discharge. We will also check your pet's mouth for symptoms of oral health problems, like 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 all of these to ensure they're normal. We will then examine the lungs for evidence of abnormal breathing. 

After that, we'll check your pet's lymph nodes 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 ensure that your pet is not exhibiting any signs of discomfort. 

Review of Findings

At the end of your pet's routine wellness exam, we will discuss any concerns about your pet's overall health and talk to you about your pet's unique nutritional requirements. 

Checkups for Puppies & Kittens

In their first few weeks of life, puppies and kittens need proper medical attention to ensure they get off to a healthy start. 

We'll give your new fur friend a complete physical examination, appropriate immunizations and deworming medication, and we will test for intestinal parasites.

We'll even provide you with a puppy or kitten 'kit' filled with educational material and samples to help you properly care for the newest member of your family. 

Once your pet's checkup is complete, you'll return periodically for their required booster shots. 

During and in between appointments, we encourage you to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have about caring for your new pet.

Seniors

With advances in veterinary care, as well as newer therapies and better nutrition, senior pets are living longer than ever.

This is terrific news for pets and their owners, but it also means that your pet's routine healthcare needs special attention as they get older. When your pet passes middle age, regular examinations become increasingly vital to their 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.

We may order additional laboratory tests for aging pets to obtain more details about your senior pet's overall health.