Cat & Dog Wellness Exams

What to Expect At Your Pet's Physical

Your veterinarian will perform a comprehensive physical checkup for your cat or dog to get a full picture of their health. These routine exams we offer to pets from across Central Massachusetts include the following components:

General Condition

Your pet's overall physical condition and demeanor can give clues about their health. How they walk, stand, their alertness level, and whether they are maintaining a healthy weight for their size/breed are all key sign about their overall health.

Coat & Skin

At your cat or dog's checkup, we will look at your pet's skin and coat to find signs of any problems, such as abnormal hair loss or shedding, excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps, bumps or dandruff.

Face & Head

The eyes, ears, and nose of your pet will be checked for signs of discharge or abnormalities. We will also examine their mouth for symptoms of oral health problems like periodontal disease, cavities or plaque buildup. 

Internal Health

Heart rate, pulse, rhythm and blood pressure are extremely important to the heart health of your pet. We will test these things to make sure they are all normal. Our vets also examine the lungs for evidence of abnormal breathing. 

Your veterinarian will then check the lymph nodes for pain or swelling, and examine the abdomen to see if the intestines, kidneys, bladder, spleen, liver, and stomach all feel normal, and that your cat or dog is not showing any signs of discomfort. 

Review of Findings

After your companion's routine wellness exam, your vet will take all the time that is needed to talk to you about any concerns they might have regarding the overall health of your cat or dog. They might also discuss your pet's nutritional requirements. 

Kitten and Puppy Checkups

In their first few weeks of life your new puppy or kitten will require proper medical attention to get off on a healthy start. 

Our skilled veterinarians will give your kitten or puppy the appropriate immunizations, and deworming medications as well as comprehensive physical examination. We'll also test for intestinal parasites. Your vet will also give you a puppy or kitten 'kit' that contains educational materials and samples that will help you take care of your newest family member. 

Always contact us with any questions or concerns you have regarding the care of your new pet, either following or at your visits.

Following your puppy or kitten's checkup, you'll come back regularly for their mandatory booster shots. 

Seniors

Because of the new advances in veterinary medical care and knowledge, as well as the better nutrition options and newer therapies senior pets are now living longer than before.

This is great news for pets and their owners! However, it also means that your geriatric pet requires special attention and has to be given proper routine healthcare as they get older. When your cat or dog passes their middle age years, regular examinations become more important to help guarantee their continuing longevity and good health. 

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.

More laboratory tests might be suggested for aging pets in order to get more detailed information about their overall health and wellbeing.