Pet Wellness Exams in Illinois
At Plainfield Veterinary Clinic, your pet's health and happiness are our top priorities. We offer comprehensive wellness exams designed to detect potential problems early and provide the expert care your pet deserves.
The Importance of Annual Wellness Exams
The Importance of Annual Wellness Exams
Annual wellness exams are an opportunity to keep your pet up-to-date with their essential vaccines, ask your vet about any questions or concerns you may have, and assess their overall health. Scheduling annual wellness exams offers a range of benefits for you and your pet, including:
- Early Detection: We can identify potential health issues or emerging conditions early when they are most treatable and manageable.
- Establishing Baselines: These exams allow us to establish baseline health levels for your pet, making it easier to monitor any changes over time.
- Comprehensive Health Checks: Physical examinations and diagnostic tests, such as bloodwork and urinalysis, can detect underlying conditions before symptoms appear.
- Preventive Care: Annual exams are the perfect time to provide routine preventive care, including vaccinations and parasite control.
- Hidden Illness Detection: Pets are experts at masking signs of illness or pain. Often, wellness exams are the only way to identify hidden medical problems before they become serious.
- Customized Care Plans: We can develop tailored health care plans to address your pet's specific needs based on its age, breed, lifestyle, and health status.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Preventing diseases or catching them early is often less expensive and less stressful than treating advanced conditions.
- Behavioral Assessment: Regular check-ups allow us to assess your pet's behavior and address any concerns you might have about their mental well-being.
- Nutritional Guidance: We can provide advice on proper nutrition and weight management, which are crucial for your pet's overall health.
What Will My Veterinarian Check During a Wellness Physical Exam?
What Will My Veterinarian Check During a Wellness Physical Exam?
During a wellness exam, our veterinarians typically check for the following:
- Overall physical condition (body weight, skin/coat, eyes, ears, nose, etc.)
- Dental health and need for cleaning/treatment
- Proper heart and lung function
- Any abnormalities, lumps, or areas of pain/discomfort
- Internal parasites through fecal testing
- External parasites like fleas, ticks, etc.
- Mobility and joint issues, especially in senior pets
- Up-to-date on core vaccinations (rabies, distemper, etc.)
- Need for preventative medications (heartworm, flea/tick, etc.)
- Nutritional assessment and body condition scoring
- Behavioral or cognitive changes, especially in older pets
- Any other concerns or issues reported by the owner
Your pet’s file will be carefully reviewed to ensure that all preventative treatments and any local government mandated animal treatments are brought up to date during the annual wellness checkup. These may include things like:
- Vaccinations
- Inoculations
- Parasite control treatments
- Recommendations for future preventative care
