Information on Annual Exams

At Pet DRx, our associates have experienced the joy of owning a pet and the sorrow of losing a cherished companion. Our goal is to help you enjoy your pet for as many healthy years as possible. We are here to help educate you about preventative well care and to manage your pet’s medical needs. We are solemnly dedicated to the proper care for your pet - a team effort involving you, our veterinarians, and our veterinary support staff. Early disease detection can prolong the quality and longevity of your pet’s life.

Why Do You Want Your Pet to Have a Physical Exam?
Your pet can’t always tell you where it hurts, or pets may mask their pain (a survival behavior in the wild). A comprehensive physical exam allows our doctors to compile a list of clues that can help uncover disease. Early detection and treatment are essential to avoid undue suffering and to prolong the quality and longevity of your pet’s life. Watch for subtle changes in your pet’s body weight, appetite, water intake, urination and bowel habits, as well as general attitude and activity level. These changes may signal liver, kidney or heart problems. Lumps and bumps under the skin may seem harmless, but can be cancerous. Ear infections, abscessed teeth and gum disease are common, painful conditions that may not become obvious until seriously advanced. A comprehensive physical exam is the basic tool our doctors use to evaluate your pet’s health status and to help you make informed decisions about the care of your special companion.

What You Can Expect during a Comprehensive Physical Exam
A physical exam is a complete hands-on assessment of your pet’s health status. Our doctors are trained to detect disease by listening (auscultation), feeling (palpating) and looking (visual evaluation). First, we weigh your pet and measure his/her temperature, heart rate, and respiration. After taking these basic measurements, your pet is examined from head to tail, while all vital organs along the way are gently palpated. Every body system is checked for disease. During the physical exam, your doctor assesses the risks your pet has for contracting preventable diseases caused by internal parasites (heartworms and intestinal worms) and external parasites (fleas, mites and ticks) and viruses. You will receive advice on how to prevent these disease-causing agents with medications and/or vaccinations.

Good Health For Your Pet Includes a Periodic Blood Test
Early detection and treatment is essential for your pet’s long and healthy life. A Blood Chemistry Screen can pick up a problem before it’s caught on physical examination. Early detection of diabetes, kidney and liver disease, as well as a metabolic or hormonal imbalance is possible with blood screening.

What is checked During a Comprehensive Physical Exam?

EYES...The eyes are examined with an ophthalmoscope for cataracts and retinal disease. Some retinal diseases indicate systemic (whole body) problems such as high blood pressure and infections. Glaucoma screening may be recommended for some animals.

EARS...The ears are examined with an otoscope, an instrument used to see into the long and angled ear canal to the eardrum of dogs and cats. Ear infections and parasites are quite common.

MOUTH...The mouth is visually checked for lesions and tumors. Teeth are examined for tartar build-up, abscesses, fractures, missing teeth and gum disease.

HEART & LUNGS...The heart and lungs are checked by auscultation with a stethoscope, and feeling the pulse. The gums are examined for their color, felt for how moist or dry they are, and gently pressed and observed for capillary refill time.

ABDOMEN...The abdomen is palpated for anomalies of organ size and character, such as enlargement of the liver or spleen, change in kidney size, bladder stones, tumors, and intestine abnormalities.

SKIN...The skin is examined for parasites, lesions, and abnormal growths.

LYMPH NODES...The lymph nodes are palpated for symmetry, size, and tenderness.

NERVOUS SYSTEM...The nervous system is evaluated by observing your pet’s behavior and testing reflexes.

THE EXTERNAL GENITALIA...The external genitalia are examined for abnormal discharge, color, swelling, or growths. The prostate gland is palpated for abnormal size and character.

THE GAIT...(Manner of walking) is observed for lameness and joints are palpated to detect tenderness and inflexibility that may indicate problems like arthritis.

How Often is a Comprehensive Physical Exam and Blood Screen Necessary?
Every species of animal ages at a different rate, and so does every breed of dog. Generally, large dogs age faster than small dogs. Ask your veterinarian how to plan for your individual pet’s optimal life-span. Described here are the "average" life stages for a dog or cat and our advice for basic well care management.

THE FIRST YEAR - Begin with a thorough physical examination to evaluate your pet’s basic health and to detect congenital problems that need to be managed. Most animals are born healthy, but some pets are born with heart disease, bone abnormalities, hernias, etc. Some congenital conditions are not immediately evident, so youngsters benefit by frequent visits to their veterinarian. Young pets are especially susceptible to infectious diseases until they build up immunity. Immunization is accomplished through a series of vaccines beginning at six weeks of age, completed at four to five months of age, and followed with boosters as recommended by your doctor.

ONE-YEAR-OLD - Physiologically similar to a thirteen-year-old human teenager! A lot can change in this year, so we advise a comprehensive physical exam to reassess your pet’s health, to reevaluate life style and to be sure all preventive measures are in process.

TWO-YEAR-OLD - Similar to a young adult human in the early twenties. This is a good time to get a baseline blood profile. This is usually the peak time of a pet’s health and we want to know the normal laboratory values for your particular pet. As your pet ages, we can compare blood values over time to help assess wellness and detect problems early.

THREE TO SEVEN - We recommend an annual comprehensive physical exam and blood screen as indicated. This wellness program helps our doctors determine your pet’s physiological "individual normal", rather than compare him/her to an "average normal".

EIGHT TO TEN - Midlife similar to a human between forty and fifty years old. At this time, organ systems begin to deteriorate, depending on life style and genes. The challenge for us is to detect and manage health problems so pets can enjoy life to the fullest. It is wise to step up the number of exams to twice a year, since pets age about five years for every human year.

ELEVEN PLUS - Their "golden years". We recommend semi-annual exams at a minimum. At this age, the rate of deterioration increases, but most pets will enjoy their senior years with proper management and care.

At What Other Times is a Comprehensive Physical Exam and Blood Screen Necessary?
Pets with disease conditions require more intense monitoring than healthy pets. Medical technology changes rapidly and visiting your veterinarian regularly ensures that your pet is receiving the very best, up-to-date care. Of course, a physical exam is appropriate anytime you suspect a problem.

If you observe these signs, please call us to schedule an appointment: