Lacey, Washington
Wellness Exams
Pet Wellness Exams in Lacey, WA
At Rainier West Veterinary Hospital, we're all about prevention to ensure our furry patients enjoy long-term health and vibrancy. We recommend regular wellness exams for the same reason you visit your dentist or primary care physician. Detecting problems in their early stages usually translates to better chances of easier, less expensive, and more successful treatments.
How Often Should Your Pet Get a Wellness Exam?
The frequency of wellness exams will depend on your pet's age, breed, lifestyle, and current health concerns. Generally, adult animals require annual wellness exams, while older pets may need twice-a-year visits. Pets with chronic health conditions or acute illnesses usually require more frequent checkups and lab testing.
Puppies and Kittens Wellness Exams
New puppies and kittens require more frequent visits at a young age. They should receive their first set of immunizations at 6 to 8 weeks and typically need checkups every 3 to 4 weeks until they are about 16 weeks old. During these visits, we'll discuss flea and heartworm prevention, nutrition, behavior management, and house training. Puppy and kitten wellness visits set the stage for health and longevity and enhance your pet's quality of life.
Adult Pet Wellness Exams
Adult annual wellness exams focus on preventive care, including vaccines, parasite prevention, weight management, and ensuring your pet is healthy and free of disease. We recommend periodic blood work and additional tests to create a baseline to identify changes in your pet's health later in life. Maintaining optimal health during the adult years will contribute to healthier and more active senior years.
Senior Pet Wellness Exams
Dogs and cats age much faster than their pet parents and are often considered seniors at age 7. Dr. Doyle and her team are highly trained and experienced in identifying age-related problems and coming up with solutions to promote health and longevity and enhance your pet's quality of life. We typically recommend that senior pets have wellness exams twice a year, which helps uncover diseases common to the aging process early on. That will allow for more effective treatments and more positive outcomes.
Follow-Up/Recheck Exams
We may ask you to bring your pet in for a follow-up appointment to ensure specific health issues have been resolved, such as ear infections or urinary tract infections. Some pets with chronic conditions require ongoing testing and treatments. These include cats and dogs with diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid disorders, or allergies. Dr. Doyle will recommend follow-up/recheck exams as necessary to enhance your pet's overall health.
What Should You Expect During Your Pet's Wellness Exam?
We'll start by weighing your pet, getting a thorough history, and recording vitals. We’ll ask you if you have any current concerns. We will also go over any needed vaccinations, labs, and parasite prevention.
Dr. Doyle will perform a head-to-tail physical exam, including a thorough evaluation of the eyes, ears, mouth, teeth, gums, lymph nodes, heart, lungs, abdomen, and musculoskeletal system. She will share her observations with you and make recommendations for your pet's health, including dental care, nutritional counseling, or pain management, depending on your pet's unique needs.
Pet wellness exams and preventive healthcare visits include internal parasite testing to rule out any potential threat to your pet's health. Dr. Doyle may also recommend blood work to screen for health concerns, including anemia, diabetes, liver disease, and kidney problems, to name a few. Detecting early signs of illnesses will allow us to address them before they progress.
Wellness Exams Near Me in Lacey, WA
Contact Rainier West Veterinary Hospital to schedule your pet's wellness exam. Dr. Doyle and her dedicated team are proponents of prevention and early detection to allow your pet to live a healthy, active life. We invite you to call our office to schedule your pet's appointment or request one online today!