Cat & Dog Wellness Exams

What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical

Our Memphis area vets will provide your cat or dog with a comprehensive physical checkup in order to gain a more complete picture of their health. Routine wellness exams at our clinic generally include any of the following elements:

General Condition

Your pet's general demeanor and physical condition can provide clues to their overall health. How they stand 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 the course of your dog or cat's checkup, we will assess them for any skin or coat issues, including excessive oiliness and dryness, bumps and lumps, abnormal hair loss and shedding, or dandruff. 

Face & Head

Your pet's ears, nose, eyes and mouth will all be assessed for signs of discharge and other abnormalities that may signal emerging health issues like periodontal diseases. 

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. The lungs will then be examined for evidence of abnormal breathing. 

We will check your pet's lymph nodes for swelling or pain and examine their abdomen. While doing so, we will assess their spleen, liver, bladder and stomach to make sure they all feel normal and that your pet isn't showing 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 require extensive medical attention throughout their first few weeks of life to help ensure they are set up for a lifetime of good health. 

We'll give your new best friend a complete physical examination, appropriate immunizations, and deworming medication. We will also test for intestinal parasites.  

Don't hesitate to contact our vets with any questions or concerns you may have about caring for your new pet. This includes at your appointments and any time before and after.

Once your puppy or kitten's checkup is complete, you'll return periodically for his or her required booster shots. 

Seniors

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 excellent news for pets and their owners, it does mean that special attention will need to be paid to your pet's routine healthcare as they grow old. As your cat or dog grows past middle age, their regular physical checkups will become increasingly critical to ensuring their comfort, health and longevity. 

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.