A full physical examination includes establishing a thorough history: What does your pet eat?, What medications and/or supplements is your pet taking, both prescribed and over the counter?, What kind of exercise or activity does your pet enjoy?, Are there any new changes in behavior? Appetite? Eliminations?, What concerns do you have? This is not simply an “office call” it is a fact gathering session so that we can get a better idea of how to help you take the best care of your pet. The answers to these questions and others help us decide which vaccinations are important for your pet, which foods might be best, and make sure we communicate new products and advances in protecting your pet from both internal and external parasites.
Your veterinarian will perform a full physical examination at least once per year or anytime your pet has a new health concern. It is always good to have a baseline when your pet is well so we know what his or her “normal” is for those times when they might be ill. Our goal is to catch any problems before they become major ones. The sooner we are able to catch a problem, the easier (and often cheaper) it is to treat and the more likely your pet will make a full recovery.
In addition, California State law dictates that a cat or dog be seen by a veterinarian at a minimum of once per year to establish a doctor-patient relationship in order for the owner to purchase medications or prescription foods. This includes things like monthly heartworm or flea and tick preventatives. We highly recommend bringing your pet in for regular exams, even if they appear healthy, to ensure potential health problems are caught early and to keep your pet current on his or her preventatives.