What Should I Expect when I take my Canine Compaion to Petworks for a Wellness Exam?

During your wellness visit the veterinarian will examine your pet from nose to tail. The veterinarian may also ask you questions and perform examinations that include:

• Asking about the history of your four legged friend and if there is any unusual behavior such as drinking more, eating less, lethargy or sleeping more.
• Note weight and age changes since the last visit
• Ask about any lifestyle changes such as increases in daily exercise or recent travel.
• A comprehensive exam will be performed. The physical exam includes assessing the teeth, mouth, eyes, ears, skin, paws, feeling your pet’s belly and listening to the heart.
• Look for any signs of certain common diseases and talk with you about any specific testing needed.
• Provide you with recommendations for your pet’s nutrition, dental care, vaccines, socialization, behavior and more.

Your visit will also include preventative care such as:

• Heartworm testing, fecal examination etc.
• Vaccinations
• Identification (Microchipping)
• Flea/Tick and Heartworm prevention
• Scheduling the next routine visit

Is a Puppy Wellness Plan the Same as the Adult Plan?

Puppies have special veterinary needs. They need to start off in the best possible way. A puppy Wellness Plan will focus on this stage of life that requires careful attention and solid preventative care. The first year with your puppy can be challenging but fun. A Petworks veterinarian can help with recommendations for potty training, behavior tips, socialization etc.

A Petworks Veterinary Hospital veterinarian will perform a comprehensive exam as with an adult dog. Your baby will have a core series of vaccines along with a brief exam each time. This core series is over a 9-16 week period. You will bring your fur baby for 3 or 4 visits to complete the core vaccines.  The final vaccines need to be administered at 16 weeks or age or older.

At your very first visit your furry baby will receive the first round of vaccines. A dewormer will be given, a fecal will be collected, and they will be started on heartworm flea and tick preventatives.

You will discuss food and nutrition with a veterinarian to help start your puppy on a healthy diet. We recommend Ivet brand puppy food. It is a high quality chicken and rice based diet produced locally.

A Petworks veterinarian will also discuss the option of spaying or neutering your puppy.  The advantages and risks will be reviewed with you.  This procedure is recommended at approximately 6-12 months of age.

You will also learn about microchipping. It is an easy way to permanently identify your puppy in case they were to become lost.  We recommend that every pet be microchipped regardless of age. It is a simple procedure that can be done in the exam room.

What Should I Expect when I Take my New Kitten in for the First-Time?

Your new kitten will be an adorable addition to your family. But, your new kitten will not able to fully look after themself. So you have the responsibility as their owner to keep them safe and healthy. The veterinarians at Petworks Veterinary Hospital are your biggest fans and will guide you in taking care of your new ball of fur. One of the best ways in which we can help you do this is to carry out regular kitten wellness care exams.

What is a Kitten Wellness Exam?

Like with a new puppy the veterinarian will ask you a variety of questions to get a history on your new kitty. The questions will inquire about how much they eat, sleep, pee and poop and how active they are.

The veterinarian will perform an exam on your new baby. They will check your kitten’s weight, coat, standing, walking, skin, legs paws and claws, belly, heart rate, breathing, and temperature. They will also assess the ears, nose, mouth and teeth of your ball of fur. They will also note your kitty’s overall behavior and temperament. Your veterinarian may ask to do some blood work to screen for certain feline diseases, and possibly test a fecal sample for parasites. The results of these help the doctor assess your pet’s overall health.

Your new kitten should come in for their first exam at 6 to 8 weeks of age. Your sweet kitty will receive their first round of vaccinations and a routine deworming. The veterinarian will discuss with you whether to screen for feline leukemia virus, depending on their history. The second and third visits consist of booster vaccines and dewormings as needed.  The final visit will include a Rabies vaccine.

Wellness Plans for your new little kittne have some differences from adult plans. The veterinarian still performs a comprehensive exam and recommends any diagnostics that may be indicated.  Petworks veterinarians will discuss different topics regarding health recommendations and conversations on raising a happy and healthy pet. Some of the education includes:

• Cat Diseases & Vaccine Recommendations
• Litterbox Training
• Behavioral Issues
• Parasite Control
• Nutrition & Exercise

Adult Feline Wellness Exams

Whether your kitten has grown to adulthood, or you have an established adult cat, your feline friend will need annual exams.

What Happens During a Cat’s Annual Exam?

Your veterinarian will talk with you about your cat’s overall health and wellness. The discussion may include questions about how they are eating, drinking, litterbox habits, and activity level. They will want to know if your cat’s behavior has changed at all lately. They will also talk with you about preventative care including vaccinations and parasite control.

Your veterinarian will assess your feline companion’s vitals which include temperature, pulse and respiratory rate and effort. They will also obtain your cat’s weight to compare to the last visit.

The veterinarian may discuss with you the need to do some routine laboratory testing. This may include a blood chemistry analysis and blood count to give the doctor information regarding various problems such as anemia or infection. These tests will also give information about how your cat’s organs are functioning.  Your feline friend can also be checked for intestinal parasites such as roundworms or tapeworms through a simple fecal sample.

The veterinarian will perform a thorough exam to evaluate your cat just like when they were a kitten.  

Some problems that are identifiable during an exam are:

• Skin or ear issues
• Dental disease
• Heart problems
• Abnormalities of organ function
• Gastrointestinal problems

If indicated, vaccinations can be given and any routine preventatives can be administered.