Why are they SO important? It is that time of year again when your pet is due for their annual physical exam. You are thinking you might skip it this year since your pet is not showing any sickness and you have not noticed any changes. There is no harm in pushing it off until next year right?
In fact, missing your pet’s annual physical exam could be harmful. A physical examination is a very important part of your pet’s overall care. Our pets have strong, natural instincts and showing signs of change in the wild make them vulnerable. Therefore, our pets will try their best to hide when they are unwell and often only show signs when issues have progressed and are no longer able to hide the feeling. Do not feel bad if you do not notice your pet is sick, that is the job of your veterinarian. That being said, our pets also age much faster than we do, 1 year in their life can be 7 years in ours. Many things can develop and happen in that time.
What will my veterinarian check during a physical examination? Before the examination, a clinic member will ask you questions about your pet's diet, exercise, how much they’re drinking, breathing, behavior, habits, bowel movements and urination, lifestyle, and general health. Your veterinarian will then perform a physical examination of your pet.
Then, based on your pet's history and physical examination, your veterinarian will make recommendations for specific preventive and necessary medical treatments. These may include vaccinations, parasite control, dietary changes, skin and coat care, joint health, weight management, dental care, diagnostics, etc.