Importance of Preventive Care
Wellness exams are essential in maintaining your pet's long-term good health.
When combining proper nutrition, routine vaccinations, and parasite prevention these routine examinations give your animal companion their best chance at lifelong excellent health.
When you bring your dog or cat in for their routine check-up, we can prevent health issues from developing in your pet, or catch them early, when they are most treatable.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
Your vet in Rockland County will provide your cat or dog with a comprehensive physical checkup to obtain a full picture of their overall health. Your pet's routine wellness exam at our animal hospital will consist of these elements:
General Condition
The general demeanor and physical condition of your cat or dog can provide us with insight into their overall health. How your pet stands, walks, their alertness level and their weight for their size are all key indicators of their health condition.
Coat & Skin (Dermatology)
Throughout your cat or dog's checkup, we will evaluate your pet's skin and coat for any clues of a problem, such as excessive dryness or oiliness, bumps, lumps, dandruff, or abnormal shedding or hair loss.
Face & Head
The eyes, ears, and nose of your pet will be checked for any signs of an abnormality or discharge. We will also examine your companion's mouth for any symptoms of an oral health issue such as plaque buildup or periodontal disease.
Internal Health
Heart rate and pulse, blood pressure and rhythm, are all critical components to the health of your pet's heart. Your vet will test these to make sure they are normal. They will then examine the lungs to look for any evidence of abnormal breathing.
Your pet's lymph nodes will be checked for pain or swelling, and we'll examine the abdomen to see if the intestines, kidneys, bladder, spleen, liver, and stomach feel normal and that your companion isn't displaying any signs of discomfort.
Review of Findings
When your pet's routine wellness exam is over, your vet will designate time to discuss any concerns they might have regarding the overall health of your pet and explain your dog or cat's nutritional requirements.
Checkups for Puppies & Kittens
Kittens and puppies require a certain level of medical attention during their first few weeks of life to get a healthy start.
Your vet will provide your furry companion with a comprehensive physical examination, the appropriate immunizations, as well as deworming medication. We'll also perform tests to look for intestinal parasites. You'll be given a puppy or kitten 'kit' which contains samples and educational materials to help you raise and care for your new family member.
You can contact us any time with any questions or concerns you might have regarding the care of your new pet, either at your visits or following your appointments.
After your puppy or kitten's checkup has been completed, you will have to come back routinely for their required booster shots.
Checkups for Senior Dogs & Cats
With the new advancements being made in veterinary care and medical knowledge in addition to the newer therapies and better nutrition options available, senior pets are living longer than ever.
This is certainly good news for pets and their owners, but it also means that special attention has to be given to your pet's routine healthcare as they get older. As your pet surpasses middle age, regular examinations become more important to ensure their continuing health and longevity.
On top of the routine wellness procedures, we conduct for all adult pets, we will give special attention to your senior pet's potential geriatric conditions, such as arthritis or decreased vision.
Additional laboratory tests may be recommended for aging pets to provide more detailed information about your senior pet's overall health and wellbeing.
Vaccinations & Prevention
At your dog or cat's checkup at Rockland Veterinary your veterinarian will also look to see if your pet needs preventive care, or if it's time for their regular vaccinations.