Why Preventive Care is Important for Your Pet
Routine cat or dog wellness exams give your Smyrna vet a chance to give your pet a full physical checkup to ensure they are in good health. It also allows them to catch any emerging health issues early while they are the most treatable.
Wellness exams should be combined with regular vaccination, parasite prevention, and proper pet nutrition to give your pet the best chance at excellent lifelong health.
When you bring your pet in for a routine exam, your vet will also take the time to discuss your pet's diet to make sure they are receiving the right amount of nutrients for their weight, size, and breed.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical Checkup
Your Smyrna vet will give your dog or cat a thorough physical checkup in order to get a complete picture of his or her overall health. Routine wellness exams at our animal clinic include the following elements:
General Condition
Your pet's overall physical condition and behavior can provide clues to their overall health and wellbeing. We will assess how they stand and walk, their level of alertness, and whether they are a healthy weight for their size.
Coat & Skin
During your pet's checkup, we will examine your dog or cat's skin and coat for signs of problems, including 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 oral health problems such as plaque buildup or periodontal disease.
Internal Health
We will check your pet's internal heart health by examining their heart rate and rhythm, pulse, and blood pressure to ensure they are normal. We will then examine their lungs for evidence of abnormal breathing.
We will continue our internal health check by examining their lymph nodes for pain or swelling and then feeling their intestines, kidneys, bladder, spleen, liver to check for any abnormalities or signs of discomfort from your pet.
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
Let Cumberland Animal Clinic be your veterinary wellness center for life by bringing your new puppy or kitten in for the proper medical attention during their critical first few months.
We'll give your new best friend a complete physical examination, appropriate immunizations, and deworming medication. We will also test for intestinal parasites. You'll be provided with a puppy or kitten 'kit' filled with educational material and samples to help you care for the newest member of your family.
Once your puppy or kitten's checkup is complete, you'll return periodically for his or her required booster shots.
Checkups for Senior Dogs & Cats
With recent advances in veterinary medical knowledge and care, as well as newer therapies and better nutrition, senior pets are living longer than ever.
While this is terrific news for pets and their owners, it means that special attention needs to be given to your pet's routine healthcare as they age and wellness exams become increasingly important.
Senior pet wellness centers around ensuring your pet's continued comfort. 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.
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 veterinary checkup at Cumberland Animal Clinic, your Smyrna vet will check to be sure your pet is not due for any routine vaccinations or preventive measures.