Are you preparing for your pet's upcoming checkup? It's natural to have questions about what lies ahead. To ensure a comprehensive and productive visit, consider posing the following essential inquiries to your veterinarian, as recommended by our Pittsboro veterinary professionals.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Routine Checkup
When you bring your dog or cat into our Pittsboro veterinary clinic for a checkup, your vet will review your pet's medical history and ask you about any specific concerns you might have.
Following the preliminary procedures, your vet will conduct a comprehensive examination of your furry friend. This assessment typically encompasses some or all of the subsequent elements:
- Listening to your pet's heart and lungs
- Checking your animal's weight, stance, and gait
- Looking at your pet's feet and nails for damage or signs of more serious health concerns
- Looking at your pet's ears for signs of bacterial infection, ear mites, wax build-up, or polyps
- Examining the condition of your pet's teeth for any indications of periodontal disease, damage, or decay
- Examining your dog or cat's skin for a range of issues from dryness to parasites to lumps and bumps (particularly in skin folds)
- Palpate your pet's abdomen to assess whether the internal organs appear to be normal and to check for signs of discomfort
- Checking your pet's eyes for signs of redness, cloudiness, eyelid issues, excessive tearing, or discharge
- Inspecting the pet's coat for overall condition, dandruff, or abnormal hair loss
- Feeling along your pet's body (palpating) for any signs of illness such as swelling, evidence of lameness such as limited range of motion, and signs of pain
All of these tests are designed to detect any signs of health problems in your pet. Because our dogs and cats cannot tell us when they are in pain, these tests and checks help to determine how your pet is feeling in general.
Common Questions That You Can Ask Your Vet
Ensuring a smooth visit to the vet for both you and your beloved pet begins with adequate preparation. This entails having a list of pertinent questions at your fingertips. By doing so, you arm yourself with the knowledge needed to ensure your pet's optimal health and well-being.
Below, the vets at our Pittsboro animal clinic provide some questions they feel are important for pet parents to ask:
Is my pet in need of any routine vaccinations?
Vaccines are a very important part of your cat or dog's preventative care. They have to be kept up to date to help protect them from a wide range of serious and often life-threatening illnesses and diseases. The vets at our Pittsboro vet clinic always do their best to inform you when your pet is due for their booster shots; however, it can sometimes be overlooked, so it's always best to ask.
Are there any concerns with my pet's behavior?
Pets often exhibit quirky behaviors that can concern their caregivers, like gnawing, panting, or scratching. It's essential to monitor these actions and reach out to your vet if you believe there's a deeper issue at play. Moreover, informing your vet about the timing of these behaviors can assist in pinpointing a precise diagnosis.
Do you have any recommendations for my pet's diet and nutrition?
It can be difficult to determine whether your pet is overweight or underweight. Pets of all breeds and ages must adhere to specific weight guidelines in order to live healthy lives. Even a few extra pounds over or underweight can put your pet at risk for a variety of health problems (some of which are life-threatening), making this a critical question. If your cat or dog is overweight, your veterinarian will work with you to develop a diet and exercise plan to help your pet lose weight.
What prevention medication should my pet have?
Fleas and ticks aren't just a nuisance for pets and their caregivers; they're carriers of harmful diseases, too. Navigating the plethora of prevention products on the market can be overwhelming. But don't fret! Your vet is there to guide you towards the ideal solution tailored to your pet's needs.
Can you explain the items on my bill, please?
When the staff at your veterinary office hands you the bill, please ask this question if you don't understand the charges. To give you a better understanding of the services offered, your veterinarian will be able to break down the costs and explain what each fee represents. It can also help you plan your next visit.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.