The Importance of the Physical Exam for Your Pet

1.   The physical exam is where the doctor might detect disease in your pet. Diseases that are detected early are often easier and less costly to treat and result in a better outcome than those in more advanced stages.

2.   Pets are very stoic.  By the time they

     actually let you know something is wrong,

     the condition or disease has usually progressed.

3.   Pets age faster than we do. A year in the life of your pet can be equal to

     5-7 years in a human, and most people would not wait that long without   

     having a physical examination.

4.  Vaccinations only work in healthy animals. If we vaccinate a sick animal with a fever this will only make the pet more sick. When we vaccinate we are injecting a killed version of the actual disease into the pet, so we need to make sure their immune system is healthy, so their bodies can build up the antibodies to fight the diseases in the vaccine and protect them for the year to come.

During a consultation the doctor will conduct a thorough nose to tail examination of your pet.  The doctor will closely examine the ears (and you will be able to see into the ears as well, with the help of our ear videoscope!), eyes, teeth, and gums, listen to the heart and lungs, and feel for masses or growths both within the abdomen and on the body.  The skin will be checked for parasites and signs of disease and a body temperature is taken.  All these points of interest to the doctor could show early signs of disease that can be life saving if caught early enough.  The doctor will explain everything to you as she is examining your pet and spend time educating you and answering any questions you may have.  We encourage you to make a list of some of the things you’re wondering about or concerned about and bring it along with you to be sure you discuss it with your veterinarian.

Senior Pet Wellness Management

The subtle aging changes that we all experience; the stiffness in the mornings, more frequent trips to the bathroom (sometimes in the middle of the night!), weight gain or loss, digestion problems; can prompt us to see our doctor for advice.  Your pet cannot talk.  They depend on you to notice these changes and obtain medical care and advice for them too.  But what about the changes under the skin, the ones you can't see? Enlarged hearts or damaged kidneys are on a list of diseases that can be overlooked until it's too late to do anything.

Once your pet reaches the age of 10, they need to see the veterinarian twice a year. This is a time to address minor aches and pains, bladder or behaviour problems and catch diseases in the early stages so we can manage them better. If heath problems are detected early enough, often lifestyle modifications, diet changes and medications will help dramatically increase their quality of life. Annual blood and urine tests are an important method of early disease detection as well. At Mission Veterinary Hospital, we will help you to help your pet live a long and happy life.

For many people, the senior years of their pet's lives are the most rewarding. This is a time when you share a comfortable routine and have few unpleasant surprises (i.e. chewed furniture, digging in the yard, etc.) after work. Although aging is not a disease, it is a time when disease is more likely to occur. Because your pet cannot talk, it is important we don't let them suffer in silence.