The Importance of Preventive Care
Routine vet wellness exams are an important part of maintaining your pet's good physical health long-term.
When these routine exams (including physical cat and dog checkups) are combined with proper nutrition and regular vaccinations and parasite prevention you are giving your pet the best chance of having excellent lifelong health.
At your dog or cat's checkup, we help prevent your pet from developing any health issues or catch problems early, when they are in their most treatable form.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical Exam
Your Santa Cruz County vet will perform a comprehensive physical checkup for your dog or cat to get a full picture of their overall health. The routine exams at Aptos-Creekside Pet Hospital include:
General Condition
The physical condition and general demeanors of your pet can give clues about their overall health. Their level of alertness, the way they walk and stand and if they are a healthy weight are all key indicators of their health.
Coat & Skin
At your dog of cat's annual checkup, our vet will look at your pet's coat and skin for any signs of a problem, including bumps, lumps, dandruff, abnormal shedding or hair loss and excessive oiliness or dryness.
Face & Head
The ears, nose and eyes of your pet will be checked for any discharge or abnormalities. We will also examine your pet's mouth for signs of oral health issues like periodontal disease or plaque buildup.
Internal Health
The pulse, blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm are extremely important to your cat or dog's heart health. We'll examine these to make sure they're normal. We also test the lungs for clues of abnormal breathing.
Lymph nodes will be inspected for swelling or pain and we look at the abdomen to make sure the stomach, kidneys, liver, bladder, spleen and intestines all feel natural, and that your companion isn't displaying any trace of pain or discomfort.
Review of Findings
After your cat or dog's routine exam, your vet will take all the time that is necessary to talk to you about any concerns they have regarding your pet's overall health as well as, any nutritional requirements your companion may need.
Checkups for Puppies & Kittens
kittens and puppies require proper medical considerations in the first few weeks of their lives to get on a healthy start.
Our vets will give your puppy or kitten a checkup and complete physical examination with the appropriate deworming medications and immunizations. We'll also look for intestinal parasites. You will be given a kitten or puppy kit complete with samples and educational materials to assist you in taking care of your new family member.
Never feel afraid to come to us with any concerns or questions you may have when it comes to taking care or your new companion at your visits or after your appointments.
After your kitten or puppy's checkup is finished, you must come back regularly for their mandatory booster shots.
Seniors
With the recent advancements in veterinary medical care and knowledge, better nutrition and newer therapies senior pets are now living longer than before.
This is great news for owners and their pets however, special attention must be given to your cat or dog's healthcare routine as they get older. Once your pet passes middle age and enters their senior years, routine examinations are more important in ensuring their continuing longevity and health.
On top of the routine healthcare procedures our vets provide to all adult pets they give special attention to specific geriatric conditions like arthritis or decreased vision which can be common among senior animals.
More laboratory tests might be recommended for pets that are aging to gain more detailed insight about your senior cat or dog's overall physical health and wellbeing.
Vaccinations & Prevention
During your pet's vet checkup in Santa Cruz County at Aptos-Creekside Pet Hospital the veterinary team will also look to see if your cat or dog is due for any booster shots or vaccinations as well as, if they need preventive care.
