Your pooch may need routine veterinary care to maintain optimal health. Dog exams play a key role in your pet’s veterinary care. At Friendly Animal Hospital, Huntington Beach, CA, we offer wellness exams for dogs of many ages, sizes, and breeds. Here’s why dog exams can be essential to your pet’s health.
Importance of Dog Exams
Through routine dog exams, a Huntington Beach, CA, vet on our veterinary team can help detect health problems early when they’re quicker and easier to treat. This can help increase your pup’s chances of fully recovering from health issues. In some instances, health issues can be averted altogether by making changes to your pet’s lifestyle or diet to help avoid costly or lengthy treatments. Working with an experienced veterinarian can make it easier to keep track of your dog’s health and keep your pooch healthy and happy over the long haul.
For healthy dogs with no history of major illnesses, we may recommend scheduling annual exams to help keep them in good health.
What to Expect from a Dog Exam
Wellness exams entail a physical inspection of your pet. A veterinarian on our veterinary team will start by reviewing your pup’s medical history and asking questions concerning his diet, exercise, behavior and lifestyle to get an idea of his state of health. Then we’ll examine your dog from nose to tail to detect early warning signs of health issues. Your pet’s physical exam might include:
- Weighing your dog to ensure he’s at a healthy weight
- Checking his eyes, nose, ears, mouth and skin for signs of infection or disease
- Listening to your pet’s heart and lungs
- Checking your dog’s stance and gait for signs of arthritis
- Inspecting your pet’s coat for signs of allergies or skin problems
- Palpating your dog’s abdomen for signs of internal problems
A vet on our veterinary team may request you bring a fresh stool sample to perform a fecal test.
Vaccinations
If your dog is due for vaccinations, these may be updated during a wellness exam. It can be vital you stay current with your pet’s vaccinations as they can protect your pet against life-threatening diseases. Vaccinated dogs may have less risk of contracting contagious diseases that can lead to their early demise.
See a Huntington Beach, CA, Veterinarian on Our Veterinary Team for a Dog Exam
Your dog counts on your help to maintain optimal health. By scheduling routine dog exams, you do your part to keep your canine companion happy and healthy at every stage of his life. To schedule a wellness exam for your pup, contact us at Friendly Animal Hospital in Huntington Beach, CA at (714) 845-5722.