Cat & Dog Wellness Exams

What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical

Your Hermitage vet will give your dog or cat a full physical exam to assess their overall health. Our animal clinic's routine wellness exams include the following:

General Condition

The general demeanor and physical condition of your pet can reveal information about their overall health. The way they stand and walk, how alert they are, and whether they are a healthy weight for their size are all important indicators of overall health.

Coat & Skin

During your pet's checkup, we will look for signs of problems such as excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps, bumps, dandruff, or abnormal hair loss or shedding.

Face & Head

The eyes, ears, and nose of your pet will be checked for abnormalities or discharge. In addition, we'll look for signs of oral health issues like plaque buildup or periodontal disease in your mouth.

Internal Health

Heart rate and rhythm, pulse, and blood pressure all play a critical role in your pet's cardiovascular health. We'll verify that these are normal. After that, the lungs will be examined for signs of abnormal breathing.

Lymph nodes will be examined for pain or swelling, and the abdomen will be examined to ensure that the intestines, kidneys, bladder, spleen, liver, and stomach all feel normal and your pet is not in pain.

Review of Findings

After your pet's routine wellness exam, your vet will talk to you about your pet's nutritional needs and any concerns they have about their overall health.

Checkups for Puppies & Kittens

To get off to a healthy start, puppies and kittens require medical attention during their first few weeks of life.

We'll give your new best friend a thorough physical exam, as well as the necessary vaccinations and deworming medication. We'll also check for parasites in the intestine. You'll receive a puppy or kitten 'kit' containing educational materials and samples to assist you in caring for your new family member.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about caring for your new pet, either during your appointments or afterward.

Once your puppy or kitten's checkup is complete, you'll return periodically for his or her required booster shots. 

Seniors

Senior pets are living longer lives than ever before, thanks to recent advances in veterinary medical knowledge and care, as well as newer therapies and better nutrition.

While this is fantastic news for pets and their owners, it also means that your pet's routine healthcare needs to be given special attention as they age.

Regular examinations become increasingly important as your pet approaches middle age to ensure their continued health and longevity.

We will pay special attention to your senior pet's potential geriatric conditions, such as arthritis or decreased vision, in addition to the routine wellness procedures we perform on all adult pets.

Additional laboratory tests for aging pets may be advised in order to provide more detailed information about your senior pet's overall health and well-being.

Nutritional Consultations

At Hermitage Animal Clinic, we are delighted to offer nutritional consultations for your pet. Your pet's diet is one of the most basic, yet important aspects to consider when caring for them. Our nutritional consultation help to determine the best feeding options for your pet.

Nutrition consultations can help keep animals healthy, prevent disease, and assist with managing illness. Nutritionists can also make plans for weight loss or gain that will be the most appropriate given an animal's current condition, as well as dietary supplements if necessary.

Behavioral Consultations

At Hermitage Animal Clinic, we offer behavioral consultations if you find managing your pet's etiquette challenging.

The veterinarian will ask you questions about the history of your pet’s problem, including when it began and what specific triggers cause or worsen them. You'll also be asked how you have been trying to deal with the issue. Finally, the vet will discuss treatment strategies, and which one might work best for your specific circumstance.

It's never a bad idea to have all family members in the room when you're consulting with the vet. In this way, each person can tell what they observe and everyone can participate in discussions.