Why Annual Veterinary Exams Can Give You Peace of Mind
Here at Sault Animal Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, we believe that when you commit to bringing an animal into your home, you are also taking them into your heart. So, it’s only natural that you would want to give them the best care within your means. We strive to be a full care facility, employing at least one veterinarian with a specialty in each of those areas.
Annual Veterinary Visits are the Best Gift You Can Give Your Pet
Typically, yearly veterinary exams mean that there is nothing wrong with the animal — at least as far as the client can see. And in most cases, our veterinarian will confirm this. But if he or she should discover a health condition or disorder, this is the best time to catch and treat it — in its earliest stages before it causes pain to the animal or impacts its well-being. If the exam does indicate an abnormality, the veterinarian will lay out treatment options that will ideally eradicate the disorder or disease, or at least manage it.
What You Can Expect During an Annual Veterinary Wellness Examination
During a typical wellness exam, your veterinarian will assess your animal’s weight, temperature, and body systems to see if they exhibit any abnormalities.
Next on their agenda will be to conduct a head-to-tail exam, checking for the following:
- Mouth — bad breath, periodontal disease; broken or missing teeth; plaque.
- Neck — irregularities and size changes of lymph nodes and thyroid gland; a cervical range of motion.
- Eyes — cloudiness; light sensitivity; squinting; excessive tearing; discharge; the appearance of the cornea and sclera (the white of the eye); pupil size.
- Ears — wax, the appearance of the pinna (outer portion); signs of infection such as yeasty smell, discharge, swelling, redness; pain or tenderness; redness.
- Heart — abnormal rate, or sounds; irregular beat.
- Lungs — wheezing, crackling, or other abnormal sounds.
- Abdomen — growths or tumors; irregularities in the margins of the liver, spleen, or kidneys; mammary chain irregularities; thickened intestines.
- Legs — range motion; grinding joint sounds; signs of pain or discomfort; muscle tone
- Skin, coat, and nails -fleas and ticks; rashes; poor coat quality
- Base of the tail — signs of parasites; evidence of soft stools; fecal mats; condition of the anal glands
Have We Answered All Your Annual Pet Exam Questions?
We hope we’ve given you a snapshot view of the type of veterinary care we provide at Sault Animal Hospital. If we’ve left anything out, we welcome the chance to answer your questions and invite you to call at 906-635-5910 to arrange for a visit or consultation at our clinic located in Sault Ste Marie.
