The Importance of Preventive Care
Wellness exams are key components in helping your pet to maintain good long-term health and well-being.
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.
When bringing your pet, whether they are a dog, cat or exotic animal, into our hospital, we are able to prevent health issues from ever developing in them in the first place and catch health issues as they emerge and when they are at their most treatable.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
At Des Moines Veterinary Hospital our vet will give your pet a comprehensive physical checkup in order to gain a comprehensive picture of their overall health. The routine wellness exams offered at our clinic include any of the following elements:
General Condition
Your pet's general physical condition and behavior can provide important clues about their overall health. The way they stand or walk, their level fo alertness and whether or not they are a healthy weight for their size can all be important indicators of their overall health and well-being.
Coat & Skin
During your pet's checkup, we will examine your dog or cat'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 nose, ears, eyes and throat will all be examined for any discharge or other abnormalities. We will also check their mouth for signs of oral health issues like periodontal disease or plaque buildup.
Internal Health
Heart rate and rhythm, pulse, and blood pressure are vitally important to your pet's heart health. We'll test these to ensure they're normal. The lungs will then be examined for evidence of abnormal breathing.
Lymph nodes will be checked for pain or swelling, and we will also examine the abdomen to ensure the intestines, kidneys, bladder, spleen, liver, and stomach all feel normal, and that your pet is not exhibiting any signs of discomfort.
Review of Findings
At the end of your pet's routine wellness exam, your vet will take the time to discuss any concerns they may have about your pet's overall health and talk to you about your dog or cat'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 don't hesitate to contact our vets with any concerns or questions you may have about caring for your new pet either at your appointment or afterward.
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 excellent news for pets and their loving owners, it also means that as our companions age, they require special attention during their routine exams. As your pet grows older, wellness checkups will become increasingly important to make sure they stay health and happy for a long time to come.
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.
Routine Exams for Exotic Pets
Our vets offer wellness exams and pet checkups for pets, including cats, dogs, and exotic mammals. No matter the kind of pet you have, routinely scheduled checkups will allow our vets to monitor their health and make sure they are well.
Pet checkups for exotic mammals will include vaccinations and other preventative treatments, an assessment of their behavior and advice about your pet's nutrition, social needs, and habitat. At Des Moines Veterinary Hospital, our vets are here to provide you with the care your exotic pet needs.