Preventive Care is the First Step
Pet wellness exams are a critical part of helping your pet maintain good long-term physical health.
Combined with regular vaccinations, parasite prevention, and proper nutrition, these routine examinations include regular physical checkups to give your pet the best chance at excellent lifelong health.
If you bring your pet in for their routine checkup, we have a better chance of preventing health issues from developing in your pet, or catching them early, when they are most treatable.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
Your West Salem vet will give your pet a thorough physical checkup to get a complete picture of their overall health. Routine pet wellness exams at our animal clinic include the following elements:
General Condition
Your pet's overall demeanor and physical condition can provide clues to their general health. Their stance and walk, their level of alertness, and whether they are a healthy weight for their size are all important indicators of overall health.
Coat & Skin
During your pet's checkup, your dog or cat's skin and coat will be examined for issues such as excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps, bumps, dandruff, or abnormal hair loss or shedding.
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 dental 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, and then the lungs will then be examined for evidence of abnormal breathing.
Lymph nodes will be checked for pain or swelling, and the abdomen will be examined to make sure 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
Puppies and kittens benefit enormously from proper veterinary attention in their first few weeks of life.
We'll give your new best friend a complete physical examination, appropriate immunizations, and deworming medication. We will also test for intestinal parasites and provide you with a puppy or kitten 'kit' filled with educational material and samples to help you care for the newest member of your family.
Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have about caring for your new pet, whether during your appointments or following your visits.
Once your puppy or kitten's checkup is complete, you'll return periodically for their required booster shots.
Seniors
Recent advances in veterinary medical knowledge and care, new therapies, and better nutrition mean that our beloved senior pets are living longer than ever.
Although this is exciting news for us and our older pets, it also means that special attention needs to be given to your pet's routine healthcare as they age. As your pet passes middle age, regular wellness examinations are more and more important to ensure their continuing health and longevity.
In addition to the routine wellness exams that we perform on all adult pets, we pay 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
During your pet's wellness exam at our West Salem animal hospital, the vet will also check whether your animal requires preventive care, or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.