Annual
Canine Wellness Exam
A wellness exam focuses on assessing the overall health and well-being of your canine family member. During a wellness exam, our doctors will typically perform the following:
- Physical examination: This involves assessing the dog’s overall body condition, including checking for signs of abnormal growths, lumps, or lesions, evaluating the condition of the coat and skin, examining the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth, palpating the abdomen, and listening to the heart and lungs.
- Dental evaluation: Dental health is an important aspect of overall wellness in dogs. The veterinarian will examine the dog’s teeth and gums and may recommend dental cleanings or other treatments as needed.
- Fecal Exam: The doctor or technician will check for the presence of parasites or abnormal microorganisms in your dog’s stool. Common parasites include roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, and protozoa like Giardia and Coccidia. Identifying these parasites early allows for prompt treatment, which can help prevent further health complications and reduce the risk of transmission to other animals or humans.
- Parasite control: The veterinarian will discuss and prescribe appropriate treatments for preventing and controlling parasites such as fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms. We recommend an annual Pro-Heart 12 injection for a full year of heartworm protection. For flea and tick prevention, we recommend chewable Bravecto tablets. Bravecto tablets offer 12 weeks of flea and tick prevention so only four tablets need to be given each year.
- Vaccinations: The veterinarian will review the dog’s vaccination history and recommend any necessary vaccines to protect against common infectious diseases. Core canine vaccinations protect your dog from the following infectious disease:
- Canine Distemper
- Canine Hepatitis
- Parvovirus
- Leptospirosis
- Rabies
If your dog visits a boarding or grooming facility, the doctor will also recommend these vaccinations… - Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
- Canine Influenza
We also recommend the following vaccine for ranch dogs, hunting dogs, and other dogs who are routinely outdoors… - Rattlesnake
- Nutrition and weight management: The veterinarian will discuss the dog’s diet and nutritional needs, as well as provide guidance on maintaining a healthy weight and body condition.
Senior Exam
Around seven years of age, our canine companions become senior citizens.
As dogs enter their senior years, they may experience various age-related changes, such as decreased activity levels, changes in appetite, weight gain or loss, dental issues, arthritis, cognitive decline, and changes in behavior.
To maintain a senior dog’s quality of life and detect age-related diseases, our doctors recommend annual screening including a CBC, a chemistry panel, and a thyroid test.
Why are annual canine exams important???
Early detection of health problems: Regular exams can help identify potential health issues before they become serious or life-threatening. Early detection allows for prompt treatment and better outcomes.
Disease prevention: Vaccinations and parasite control measures administered during wellness exams help protect dogs from infectious diseases and parasites that can adversely affect their health.
Maintenance of overall health: Wellness exams provide an opportunity for veterinarians to assess and provide recommendations for maintaining optimal health and well-being.
Establishing a baseline: Regular wellness exams allow veterinarians to establish a baseline for a dog’s health, making it easier to detect any deviations or changes in health status over time.