A yearly pet checkup with a veterinarian helps ensure the health, safety, and comfort of your four-legged companion. Most visits involve multiple parts in which various aspects of the pet's health are examined and monitored. Here’s what you should expect during your next pet checkup.

4 Parts of a Pet Wellness Exam

1. Perform a Physical Examination

The veterinarian will perform a physical exam to check for any anomalies. They will inspect the eyes, ears, mouth, abdomen, legs, paws, joints, and reproductive organs. They will also listen to the animal's heart and breathing with a stethoscope.

2. Take Vital Signs

Just as vital signs can tell your medical doctor a lot about how you're functioning, they can also give a veterinarian valuable information about a pet's current health. Either the vet or the technician will take the animal's temperature, pulse, rate of respiration, and weight. Substantial changes in vital signs between visits can alert your veterinarian to issues—such as infections or diseases—that need to be addressed.

3. Administer Vaccinations

Vaccinations are crucial to protecting your pet's health and preventing the spread of serious diseases like rabies or canine distemper. The vet will make certain your pet is up-to-date on all shots and administer any that may be needed. If your pet isn't currently on a regular vaccination schedule, the vet will set one up.

4. Prescribe Screenings, Treatments & Medications

If further diagnostic tests are needed, the vet will order them during the checkup. Lab work, heartworm and parasite testing, and urinalysis are among the more common types of screening pets routinely undergo. Also, the vet will design treatment plans and prescribe medications for any health issues that are confirmed during the visit.

Routine checkups from a veterinarian are crucial for staying on top of health concerns your pet may be facing. Cat & Dog Hospital of Columbia provides comprehensive veterinary care to Howard County, MD. They are committed to supporting the health and well-being of all pets. In addition to veterinary services, they offer adoption and dog and cat boarding services. Call (410) 995-6880 or visit their website to learn more about their services.