We recommend annual cat and dog wellness exams in Clarion, PA to ensure your pet is staying healthy, and remaining at a low risk for harmful diseases. Dogs and cats age quickly – about five to six years for every human year. Therefore, we need to keep track of their health so we can detect potential illnesses as soon as possible. Early detection is essential to the successful treatment of disease, which can help your pet enjoy a longer and healthier life with you.
Learn About Our Wellness Plans for Puppies, Kittens, & Seniors
The Importance of Annual Wellness Exams
Annual checkups are vital to monitoring your pet’s condition and maintaining a high standard of care to meet their needs. Dogs and cats grow and change just like we do, so their needs will also evolve and may require changes to their current wellness regimen.
These recommended annual checkups generally include:
- A physical exam
- Tick-borne disease screens
- Vaccine boosters
- Discussion/dispensation of heartworm, flea, and tick preventatives
- Discussion of your pet’s nutritional needs, if necessary
The Comprehensive Pet Exam
The comprehensive exam is a thorough evaluation that involves checking your pet from nose to tail for abnormalities and changes. We’ll examine their eyes/vision using an ophthalmoscope, check the ears with an otoscope, and measure your pet’s heart with a stethoscope. Your veterinarian will also assess your pet’s skin, coat, bones, joints, teeth, vital signs, abdominal organs, and overall body condition.
Early Detection of Disease
In addition to performing a physical examination, your vet may also want to perform blood and fecal testing to develop a more complete understanding of your pet’s overall health. A physical exam is limited in what it can tell us, but our blood, fecal, and urine testing capabilities can reveal subtle changes and organ trends to help us catch disease processes sooner.
Our hospital recommends annual blood screens for dogs and cats for this very purpose, especially since pets often hide symptoms of illness.
Internal Medicine
Internal medicine is the diagnosis and management of chronic diseases that include:
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Cancer
- Pancreatitis
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism
Our hospital offers state-of-the-art X-ray and ultrasound imaging to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of these and other diseases, but we can also partner with outside specialists to provide the best care for your pet.
Education & Consultations
Educating you about your pet’s health and recommended treatments is also a priority. Clarion Animal Hospital is dedicated to supporting pet owners through clear, honest communication and helpful guidance. Our goal is to serve as your partner in your pet’s lifelong care, so feel free to reach out to us any time you have a concern or question!
Pet Insurance
Pet insurance can be an intimidating topic given the large number of insurance companies and plans available. We recommend visiting Trupanion Pet Insurance and Pawlicy Advisor to compare companies, plans, and quotes so you can narrow down your options and ultimately make a decision that benefits your pet.
