The Importance of Preventive Care
Wellness exams are critical to helping your horse maintain good health and high overall performance.
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.
We can prevent health issues from developing in your pet or catch them early when they are most treatable if you bring your dog or cat in for a routine checkup.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
Your Hattiesburg vet will perform a thorough physical examination on your dog or cat to obtain an accurate picture of his or her overall health. Our animal clinic's routine wellness exams include the following components:
General Condition
The general demeanor and physical condition of your pet can reveal information about their overall health. The way they stand and walk, how alert they are, and whether they are a healthy weight for their size are all important indicators of overall health.
Coat & Skin
During your pet's checkup, we will look for signs of problems such as excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps, bumps, dandruff, or abnormal hair loss or shedding.
Face & Head
The eyes, ears, and nose of your pet will be examined for abnormalities or discharge. We will also look for signs of oral health problems such as plaque buildup or periodontal disease in the mouth.
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 examined for pain or swelling, and the abdomen will be examined to ensure that the intestines, kidneys, bladder, spleen, liver, and stomach are all normal and that your pet is not in pain.
Review of Findings
After your pet's routine wellness exam, your veterinarian will discuss any concerns they have about your pet's overall health and will inform you about your dog or cat's nutritional needs.
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 thorough physical examination, as well as the necessary immunizations and deworming medication. We will also look for parasites in the intestine. You will be given a puppy or kitten 'kit' containing educational materials and samples to assist you in caring for the newest member of your family.
Please never hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have about caring for your new pet, both at your appointments or following your visits.
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 fantastic news for pets and their owners, it does mean that your pet's routine healthcare needs to be given special attention as they age. Regular examinations become increasingly important as your pet approaches middle age to ensure their continued health and longevity.
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.
Vaccinations & Prevention
During your pet's vet checkup, the vet will also check whether your animal requires preventive care, or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.