Cat & Dog Checkups
Helping your pet maintain good long-term physical health is a large part of our job, and routine exams are critical to accomplishing this goal.
Combined with proper nutrition, regular vaccinations and parasite prevention, these routine examinations involve regular physical pet checkups to offer your pet the best chance at excellent lifelong health.
When you bring your cat or dog in for their routine checkup, we're able to prevent health issues from developing in your pet or catch them early, when they are most treatable.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical Checkup
Your Gold Canyon vet will give your dog or cat a thorough physical checkup in order to get a complete picture of his or her overall health. Routine wellness exams at our animal clinic include the following elements:
General Condition
Did you know we can glean clues about your pet's overall health from their general demeanor and physical condition? The vet will observe their level of alertness, how they stand and walk, and whether they are a healthy weight for their size — all important indicators of general health.
Coat & Skin
During your pet's exam, we will check your dog or cat's coat and skin for signs of problems, including excessive dryness or oiliness, bumps, lumps, dandruff, shedding or abnormal hair loss.
Face & Head
Your pet's ears, eyes and nose will be checked for abnormalities or discharge. We will also examine the mouth for symptoms of oral health issues such as plaque buildup or periodontal disease.
Internal Health
Heart rhythm and rate, blood pressure and pulse are essential to your pet's heart health. These will be tested to ensure they're normal. The lungs will then be examined for evidence of abnormal breathing.
The vet will check lymph nodes for signs of swelling or pain, since lymph nodes often become painful or swollen with many illnesses. We will then examine the abdomen to ensure intestines, spleen, bladder, kidneys, liver and stomach all feel normal, and that your pet is not displaying any signs of discomfort.
Review of Findings
To finish off your pet's routine exam, your vet will dedicate time to discussing any concerns they may have regarding your pet's overall health, answering questions you may have and explaining your cat or dog's nutritional requirements.
Checkups for Puppies & Kittens
Puppies and kittens need proper medical attention in their first few weeks of life to get off to a healthy start.
We'll give your new best friend a complete physical examination, appropriate immunizations, and deworming medication. We will also test for intestinal parasites. You'll be provided with a puppy or kitten 'kit' filled with educational material and samples to help you care for the newest member of your family.
Please never hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have about caring for your new pet, both at your appointments or following your visits.
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 terrific news for pets and their owners, it means that special attention needs to be given to your pet's routine healthcare as they age. As your pet surpasses middle age, regular examinations become increasingly crucial to ensure their continuing 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.
Vaccinations & Prevention
When conducting your pet's veterinary checkup at our Gold Canyon animal clinic, the vet will also check whether your animal needs preventive care, or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.