Identify Health Issues With Regular Pet Exams

Pets, like humans, get sick ever so often because of something they ate, a pathogen, or genetics. When your pet is sick, they will often try to hide it from you; after all, it is natural. All animals, especially dogs and cats, will hide any weakness. It is in their instincts to do so in order to protect themselves from predators. That is why it is up to you.

You must be keen on their behavior to know if your pet has a problem. You will have to observe them when they are healthy to notice changes when they are sick. While knowing and practicing this is prudent, you can do more. You can ensure that your pet has regular vet visits. This is the most effective way to ensure your pet is healthy.

Why Are Regular Pet Exams Important?

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, regular pet exams are vital for your pet's health. These exams' first and most crucial benefit is identifying health issues early. Many health conditions usually develop gradually before their obvious symptoms manifest. Before your pet begins to hide its illness, its body showed the signs long ago. 

To notice these early signs of disease, you need a trained eye. Vets are experts at noticing these signs, which may include changes in skin health, blood work, and urine. These conditions can cut your pet's life short if not detected early. 

As well, early detection will save you money. Treating a condition when it is fully developed costs significantly more. Early detection means the vet only needs to use minimal effort or medication to treat the condition.

How Does a Vet Identify Health Issues in a Regular Pet Exam?

During routine health exams, the vet will run specific tests. These tests check for multiple issues in your pet's body. The tests vary in complexity based on the specific issue they help the vet identify. Here is what you should expect in a regular pet exam:
 

• Vital Signs Checkup

The first thing the vet checks is the vital signs of your pet. They will have the pet lying on the table and check its pulse, temperature, weight, and respiratory rate. Once they have taken the details, they will compare them with previous records. It is the best way to know if there are any changes in your pet's body. The results inform the vet on what conditions to test for. 
 

• Vaccinations

Vets usually update vaccinations for pets during regular exams. Vaccinations are a vital part of preventative care, which helps keep your pet safe and healthy. Common vaccines include canine distemper, feline leukemia, Lyme disease, and rabies. 
 

• Full Body Health Screening

Depending on the results of the above tests, the vet may decide to perform diagnostic tests. These may include basic biochemistry checks like heartworm testing, blood counts, urinalysis, fecal testing, and X-rays.

Blood count helps the vet check for abnormalities in the pet's body. Urinalysis checks if their kidneys and bladder are working correctly. Fecal matter testing checks for parasites that may be affecting their digestive health.

For more on identifying health issues with regular pet exams, visit Spencer Springs Animal Hospital at our office in Las Vegas, Nevada. Call (702) 896-9999 to book an appointment today.