Adult Pet Care

Keeping Adult Pets Healthy & Happy

Once puppies or kittens reach approximately one year of age, they are considered adults, and with the new designation come different health care needs. Many pet owners believe that past the puppy or kitten stage, all their pet needs is annual vaccinations. Additionally, many cat owners feel that indoor felines have no or minimal ongoing health care needs. In reality, routine wellness exams are essential for keeping your adult animal healthy. Dogs and cats age much faster than we do, so a disease can progress from initial onset to serious illness in a short period of time. For example, if your kitty or pup were to miss an annual exam for two years, it would be the equivalent of you not seeing a doctor or dentist for 15 to 20 years—yikes!

A thorough physical examination is recommended for adult pets once a year. Adult patients with chronic conditions, including those on long-term prescription medications, may need to be seen more frequently.

Your Pet’s Annual Wellness Exam Will Include

• A thorough physical exam (includes eyes, ears, nose, throat, coat, skin, heart, lungs, abdomen, genitals, lymph nodes, oral cavity, weight, GI, and central nervous system)
• Personalized vaccinations based on your pet’s risk of disease exposure
• Recommended veterinary diagnostic tests based on your pet’s breed, age, lifestyle, and overall health
• A dental exam
• Recommendations for flea, tick, and heartworm control
• An evaluation of your pet’s diet and nutritional health
• Review of your pet’s current medications and discussion of any newly prescribed medications
• Scan for microchip efficacy, position, and ease of detection
• Evaluation of any new symptoms or behavioral changes

Wellness examinations give your veterinarian an opportunity to minimize potential health risks through early detection and treatment.