Our doctors perform a complete examination at least once a year as well as any time a pet is brought in with a problem. Unlike people, animals cannot tell us if anything has changed, making information from the owners and the physical exam even more important in identifying problems. Throughout their lives, animals "age" faster than people, so that the physical changes that may take 4-5 years in a person to become apparent may occur within 1-2 years in a dog or cat. Frequently, even if the client says the animal is doing well, the veterinary staff may notice subtle changes that can easily be overlooked by people who see the animal daily.
We often find low-grade skin and ear problems, developing heart disease, dental disease and evidence of arthritis in routine exams. All of these problems are best addressed early in the course of disease, rather than waiting until the pet's comfort is compromised. Doing a thorough examination even when there are no obvious problems allows us to determine whether a problem that surfaces later is indeed new, or the progression of an older condition. In addition regular exams allow us to chart the course of disease, and determine whether it is progressive or static.
A normal exam includes the following:
Canine Vaccinations:
DAP- Disptemper, Adeno & Parvo (Viruses) Rabies Virus
Leptospirosis (Bacteria)
Lyme Disease (Bacteria)
Bordetella/Kennel Cough (Bacteria)
Influenza Virus
Feline Vaccinations:
Rabies Virus
HCP- Herpes, Calici, Panleukopenia (Viruses)
FeLv- Feline Leukemia Virus