Unlock the Secret to a Longer, Healthier Life for Your Pet!

A thorough veterinary examination usually consists of many essential elements. These components guarantee that every facet of a pet's health is carefully assessed. Routine health checkups should consist of Physical Examination, Vaccination Update, Prevention of Parasites, Tests for diagnostics and blood work, Dental Health, Skin and coat examination, Eye, Ear and Nose examination.

The Importance of Routine Health Checkups for Pets

Frequent veterinary examinations are essential for the early identification of possible health problems, which are frequently better treated when discovered early. It can be challenging for pet parents to spot mild symptoms at home since pets often hide pain or disease until it has worsened. Veterinarians can spot the early signs of chronic diseases like diabetes, arthritis, or kidney illness during routine checkups. Regular attention is also given to parasite management, dental care, and vaccinations, which offer defense against potentially fatal illnesses. Additionally, routine checkups enable veterinarians to keep an eye on weight, nutrition, and general health, preventing obesity and other disorders linked to poor nutrition.

Early Detection of Health Issues

Regular wellness examinations keep an eye on chronic disorders, aid in the early identification and prevention of illnesses, and help your pet stay healthy over time. Pet parents  can frequently carry out prompt therapies and reduce discomfort and any problems by identifying diseases in their early stages. Additionally, by keeping an eye on chronic illnesses, these tests help us make sure your pet has the best possible quality of life.

Preventive Care and Vaccinations

Throughout the first year of life, puppies and kittens need multiple visits. From as early as six weeks old to six months old, these visits may initially be made once a month to finish their vaccination and track their progress. The veterinarian can begin a preventive care program for your pet during these appointments, which may include immunizations, parasite treatment, and dietary advice. Additionally, it's a chance to talk about spaying or neutering.

What Happens During a Routine Pet Health Checkup?

1. Physical Examination: The first thing a veterinarian will do is perform a physical examination, looking at the pet's joints, skin, coat, ears, eyes, and mouth. This aids in identifying outward manifestations of disease, such as dental disorders, skin infections, or irregularities in movement. 
2. Updates on Vaccinations: Vaccines are crucial for defending pets against illnesses including distemper, parvovirus, and rabies.  Veterinarians will make sure the pet has received all of the recommended vaccinations and may suggest additional ones.
3. Prevention of Parasites: Especially in some regions, fleas, ticks, and worms are frequent problems for dogs. A veterinarian will perform fecal testing to look for internal parasites and propose preventive therapies.
4. Blood Work and Diagnostic Testing: Veterinarians may recommend blood testing to assess thyroid levels, organ function, and other important health markers for elderly pets or pets with pre-existing medical issues. With the right care, early identification of conditions like liver or kidney illness can greatly enhance results.
5. Dental Health: One of the most prevalent issues affecting pets, especially older ones, is dental disease. An oral examination is part of a regular checkup to evaluate the health of the pet's teeth and gums and to prevent or treat periodontal disease early.

I. Physical Examination

An evaluation of your pet's eyes, ears, nose, teeth, throat, chest, abdomen, skin, haircoat, extremities/paws, lymph nodes, and pulses, from the tip of the tail to the tip of the tail, is usually part of a comprehensive pet physical examination as well as Temperature, weight, heart rate, and respiratory rate of pet.

II. Vital Signs Check

The veterinarian will check all the vitals including temperature, heart rate, and respiration rate during routine health checkups. Temperature will be checked by using the digital or mercury thermometer by putting it in the rectum and pressing the side of the rectum for one minute. Monitoring the heart rate or pulse rate will be done by using a stethoscope to listen to the animal’s heart, or by taking a reading of their pulse.  The respiration rate will be measured by counting the number of breaths per minute. The veterinarian will measure the capillary refill time and the color of the mucous membrane. This contributes to the proper circulation of oxygenated blood throughout the body.

III. Dental Health Examination

Veterinarian can check for several oral health problems during a dental examination, such as dental disease, chipped or broken teeth, infections or abscesses, tumors, cysts, misalignment of the bite, and pain in the teeth. A dental health check includes a comprehensive examination of the pet's overall oral health. Veterinarians will ask about any changes to their behavior like having trouble eating, drooling more often, and smelly breath. Assessment of overall oral health by looking inside a pet's mouth, for signs of plaque, tartar build-up, or any other dental issues, Examination of gums for signs of inflammation, bleeding, or any other abnormalities, Checking each tooth for signs of decay, along with any loose or cracked teeth. Our vets may also recommend dental X-rays to see if there is any trouble hiding under the gum lines. The vet will discuss maintaining oral hygiene by daily brushing using pet toothpaste and providing dental chews, dental toys, and dental diets.

IV. Skin and Coat Assessment

During routine health checkups, your veterinarian will thoroughly examine the pet's skin, ears, and coat. The veterinarian will check for symptoms like licking, biting, chewing, scratching, Rolling, scooting, rubbing more than usual, hair loss, foot chewing and odor, Reoccurring ear problems and head shaking, Changes in the skin, like sores or darkened color, Redness of the skin, Body odor, Frequent problems with their anal glands. Vet will suggest additional in-clinic diagnostic procedures, such as skin scrapings and skin impressions, to look for mites, germs, and yeast under a microscope. These tests are quick, reasonably priced, and can help the veterinarian determine the root cause of your pet's skin issue.

V. Eye, Ear, and Nose Examination

When you bring your pet to Zigly stores, our vets will check for several symptoms that could indicate the pet is suffering pain or discomfort in their eyes or is having trouble seeing running into objects or having trouble navigating, eye clouds, cross-eyed stare, redness or discoloration of the eye, discharge that is excessive or colored, a film over the eye, eye injuries, pawing at their eye, opening one eye or squinting, an enlarged or protruding eye, third eyelid visibility. The veterinarian will perform an ear examination to check for any redness, discharge, odor, head shaking, ear scratching, or rubbing ears on the floor or other surfaces. The veterinarian will carefully examine the dog's nose, looking for any visible foreign bodies, swelling, or discharge.

Common Diagnostic Tests During Pet Checkups

I. Blood Tests

During routine health checkups, blood tests can be done which may include CBC, LFT, KFT, and  Electrolyte levels. Vets in Zigly stores will be able to tell whether an infection, inflammation, or anemia is present in a dog or not with the help of CBC. It can also show blood clotting capacity and immune system response. Zigly veterinarian can determine whether your pet's liver, kidneys, and pancreas are healthy and functioning normally based on the electrolytes and chemistry panel.

II. Urinalysis and Fecal Testing

Urine's physical and chemical characteristics can be ascertained through a diagnostic procedure called urinalysis. Although it can also indicate problems with other organ systems, it is used to assess the condition of the kidneys and urinary system. Older pets need to have a urinalysis every year. If your dog is drinking more water, urinating more frequently, or has blood in their urine, a urinalysis might also be advised. During veterinary examinations, routine fecal testing is essential for identifying parasites and gastrointestinal disorders in dogs. In fecal tests, a fresh feces sample is analyzed, parasite eggs are identified under a microscope, and prompt treatment is started. Dogs should have fecal tests every year; puppies and recently adopted dogs should have tests more frequently because of their higher susceptibility to parasites.

III. X-Rays and Ultrasounds

X-rays can identify abnormalities in the bones, like tumors or fractures, as well as problems with the organs, like enlargement or displacement, blockage in the digestive tract, or problems with the liver or kidneys. They can also identify foreign objects that your pet may have swallowed, pinpoint their location and size, and remove them surgically or in another way. Veterinarians can make more precise diagnoses because of ultrasounds, which give them extremely fine pictures of an animal's interior anatomy. This is particularly helpful in situations like soft tissue injuries or stomach problems where X-rays might not reveal enough information. Veterinarians can use an ultrasound to view the size, shape, and function of organs as well as identify any illnesses or anomalies.

How Often Should You Schedule Routine Pet Checkups?

The age, breed, and overall health of the pet all affect how frequently they need to see a veterinarian. Regular visits are required for immunizations and initial health evaluations of pups and kittens. Adult pets should have a wellness examination at the veterinarian at least once a year. Biannual examinations may be beneficial for senior pets, who are usually older than seven, to monitor age-related problems.

I. Puppies and Kittens

Young pets are more prone to disease because their immune systems have not fully grown. Throughout the first year of life, puppies and kittens need multiple visits. From as early as six weeks old to six months old, these visits may initially be made once a month to finish their immunizations and track their progress. The veterinarian can begin a preventive care program for your pet during these appointments, which may include immunizations, parasite treatment, and dietary advice. Additionally, it's a chance to talk about spaying or neutering.

II. Adult Pets

In general, adult pets need to be examined once a year. More frequent examinations should be done if a pet has unique circumstances, such a disease or genetic susceptibility. Maintaining current vaccines, performing a comprehensive medical examination, and talking about preventive care are all made possible by these annual pet checkups. Certain breeds could have particular health issues that call for closer observation. Advice specific to the breed and health requirements of your pet can be obtained from your veterinarian.

III. Senior Pets

Pets are more vulnerable to a number of illnesses as they get older due to decreased immunity. Wellness examinations should be increased to twice a year as dogs and cats reach their senior years, which typically occur around the age of 7 (though this can vary according to breed and size). Diabetes, kidney illness, dental disease, and arthritis are among the conditions that older pets are more prone. More thorough assessments, including blood and urine tests as well as other diagnostics to evaluate organ function and identify illnesses early, are frequently included in senior wellness checks.

Zigly's Routine Health Checkup Services