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Annual Health Assessments

Vaccinations are just one of the reasons why pets should be seen at least once yearly.

Our practice has emphasized prevention as the cornerstone of the care that we provide your pet. As a part of our preventive program we would like to highlight the importance of an animal health assessment for your pet, as it is truly the main reason why you should be bringing your pet in annually, regardless of whether vaccinations are required or not.

We continue to recommend an annual physical examination for your pet. The information that we gather while taking a history of your pet, and during the subsequent physical examination becomes part of your pet's medical record and can be critical in the event of an emergency or sudden illness.

As part of the annual physical exam, your veterinarian will:

	Check for significant weight loss, an early sign of disease, as well as assess your pet for obesity. Your pet's particular nutritional needs will be evaluated and special diets may be prescribed.
	Assess the skin and haircoat of your pet, looking for signs of external parasites such as fleas, ticks, or mites, bacterial or fungal infections, allergies, hormonal disorders, and nutritional deficiencies.
	Examine the ears for evidence of yeast or bacterial infections, mite infestations, inflammation, or tumors.
	Examine the eyes for evidence of inflammation, cataracts, ulcers, or glaucoma.
	Evaluate the nose and nasal passages for signs of upper respiratory disease.
	examine the mouth, teeth, and gums. As many as 95% of pets 2 years and older have periodontal disease which can lead eventually to tooth loss, and which may be responsible for breath odours in your pet.
	Listen to the chest for heart murmurs, irregular heart rate and rhythm, and abnormal lung sounds.
	Feel the abdomen for abnormal masses or pain.
	Evaluate the urogenital and digestive systems, including a rectal examination, if necessary.
	Assess the lymph nodes for evidence of inflammation or cancer.
	Examine the spine, bones, muscles, and joints for signs of arthritis or other abnormalities.
	Perform other special examinations if required.

Preventive Care For Your Pet

Some vaccines may be given annually, or less frequently as deemed by your veterinarian, including:

	For Dogs: Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus Type 2, Parainfluenza, Coronavirus, Bordetella, and Lyme Disease.
	For Cats: Rabies, FVR, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Feline Leukemia, and Feline Infectious Peritonitis.

An annual fecal examination to check for intestinal parasites, some of which can cause disease in humans, is suggested for all pets.

For dogs, an annual heartworm test in the spring at the beginning of mosquito season can be performed and monthly preventive medication can be prescribed.

Geriatric pets require special attention, as a physical examination alone may be insufficient to detect underlying problems related to aging in their early stages. Following a physical exam, the veterinarian may suggest a further, more intensive, evaluation which may include a blood count, biochemical testing of the blood to assess the function of various internal organs,(such as the liver, kidneys and thyroid glands), analysis of the urine, an electrocardiogram to evaluate the heart, and radiographs.

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