Importance of Cat & Dog Checkups
Wellness exams are critical to helping your pet maintain good long-term physical health.
Combined with regular vaccinations, parasite prevention and proper nutrition, these routine examinations include regular physical checkups to give your pet the best chance at excellent lifelong health.
Bringing your dog or cat in for their routine checkup allows us to prevent health issues from developing or catch them early, when they are most treatable.
As an added bonus, we also offer consultations on your pet's behavior and nutrition, including food recommendations.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
Your Diablo View veterinarians will give your dog or cat a thorough physical checkup in order to get a complete picture of their overall health. Routine wellness exams at our animal clinic include the following elements:
General Condition
The general temperament and physical state of your pet might reveal information about 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
We will examine your pet's skin and coat for signs of problems, including excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps, bumps, dandruff, or abnormal hair loss or shedding.
Face & Head
Your pet's eyes, ears, and nose will be examined for abnormalities or discharge. We will also check the mouth for symptoms of oral health problems such as plaque buildup or periodontal disease.
Internal Health
Heart health is very important, and your pet's heart rate and rhythm, pulse will be tested to ensure they're normal. The lungs will then be examined for evidence of abnormal breathing.
We'll also check your pet's lymph nodes for pain or swelling, as well as the abdomen to ensure the intestines, kidneys, bladder, spleen, liver and stomach all feel normal and aren't causing your pet any discomfort.
Review of Findings
At the end of your pet's routine wellness exam, we will take the time to discuss any concerns we may have about your pet's overall health and talk to you about your pet'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 them for intestinal parasites and provide you with a puppy or kitten "kit" that's filled with educational material and samples.
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 fantastic news for pets and their owners, it also means that your pet's normal healthcare has to be given extra attention as they age. Regular checkups become increasingly important as your pet approaches middle age to guarantee their continued health and lifespan.
We give special attention to senior pets' potential geriatric conditions, such as arthritis or decreased vision as part of a routine exam.
We may also recommend additional laboratory tests for aging pets in order to get more detailed information about your senior pet's overall health and well-being.
Vaccinations & Prevention
During your pet's veterinary checkup at Diablo View Veterinary Medical Hospital, we will also check to see if your animal requires preventive care or whether they are due for any routine vaccinations.