The Importance of Preventive Care
Pet wellness exams are critical to helping your pet maintain good long-term physical health.
Combined with regular vaccinations, parasite prevention and proper nutrition, these routine examinations include regular physical checkups to give your pet the best chance at excellent lifelong health.
When bringing your cat or dog in for routine pet wellness exams with our vets, you are giving us the opportunity to prevent health issues from developing in your pet, or to catch them early and at their most treatable.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical Exam
Our Goleta veterinary hospital's physical checkups for your dog or cat allow us to get a comprehensive picture of their overall health. These routine exams generally include the following elements:
General Condition
Your pet's general condition and demeanor can provide some clue as to their overall health for our vet. The way they stand and walk, their level of alertness, and what their weight is when compared to their breed and size can all be important indicators of your companion's overall health and well-being.
Coat & Skin
During your pet's checkup, we will examine your dog or cat's skin and coat for signs of problems, including excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps, bumps, dandruff, or abnormal hair loss or shedding.
Face & Head
Your pet's nose, eyes and ears will all be examined for abnormalities and discharge. We will also assess their mouth for any symptoms of oral health issues like gum disease, plaque buildup or tooth decay.
Internal Health
Heart rate and rhythm, pulse, and blood pressure are vitally important to your pet's heart health. We'll test these to ensure they're normal. The lungs will then be examined for evidence of abnormal breathing.
We will also check your pet's lymph nodes for signs of swelling or pain as well as their abdomen to ensure that their intestines, bladder, spleen, stomach and liver will all feel normal and that your pet isn't showing any signs of discomfort.
Review of Findings
At the end of your pet's routine wellness exam, your vet will take the time to discuss any concerns they may have about your pet's overall health and talk to you about your dog or cat's nutritional requirements.
Checkups for Puppies & Kittens
Puppies and kittens need proper medical attention in their first few weeks of life to get off to a healthy start.
We will give your new family member a comprehensive physical examination, deworming medications and any appropriate immunizations. We'll also provide your new pet with testing for any intestinal parasites.
We also provide new puppy and kitten owners with "kits" filled with educational materials and samples to help you to provide high-quality at-home care to your new best friend. There will be answers to some of your questions in the material we provide, but don't hesitate to contact us for more information or to talk through any concerns you might have.
Once your puppy or kitten's checkup is complete, you'll return periodically for his or her required booster shots.
Seniors
With recent advances in veterinary medical practices and knowledge, alongside new nutritional options, our senior pets are living longer now than they ever have before.
While this is terrific news for pets and their owners, it means that special attention needs to be given to your pet's routine healthcare as they age. As your pet passes middle age, regular examinations become increasingly crucial to ensure their continuing health and longevity.
In addition to the routine wellness procedures we perform on all adult pets, we will give special attention to your senior pet's potential geriatric conditions, such as arthritis or decreased vision.
We may also recommend additional laboratory tests for pets as they age in order to provide more detailed information about your companion's health and well-being.
Vaccinations & Prevention
During your pet's veterinary checkup at our Goleta animal hospital, the vet will also check whether your animal requires preventive care, or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.