If you are a pet owner, chances are that your vet has spoken to you about bringing your adored animal in for a routine pet wellness exam. Unfortunately, many owners view vets in the same way as they view their doctors – as a service that is only to be visited if their pet is unwell. While your vet can certainly take care of your pet if they become unwell, their role goes much further than that. Vets are just as valuable as preventative medical professionals and routine pet wellness exams provide them with an opportunity to keep your pet as safe as possible from diseases and health problems. 

Here are just a few of the reasons why you should make attending routine pet wellness exams a priority.

They Build Up a Picture of Your Pet’s General Health and Wellbeing

Just like when we visit the doctor, every time you take your pet to the vets, information about their visit gets recorded. This includes the reason for the appointment, any observations your veterinarian makes about your pet, and the results of any diagnostic tests that are performed. The same applies when you take your pet for their routine wellness exam, with the information being stored on your pet’s permanent medical record. The benefit of this is that it helps to create a picture of their general health and wellbeing – something which makes it easier to spot patterns that could indicate that their health is deteriorating or that they have a problem developing. This is especially true if your vet compares things like your pet’s weight, blood test results, etc.

Early Identification of Health Problems can Improve Patient Outcomes

Unsurprisingly, the sooner any developing health problems can be spotted, the more easily your vet will be able to recommend a course of action to prevent them from worsening. They could even eliminate them altogether, ensuring the best possible outcome for your precious pet.

Animals Age Faster Than We Do

The vast majority of household pets have a lifespan that is much accelerated when compared to our own. The most obvious example of this is dogs, and experts have found that one human year is the equivalent of about seven dog years. This means that by the time an average-sized dog reaches seven or eight years old, they will be middle-aged and by ten, they will be considered senior. There are variations, of course, based on breed, size, and health. However, what this does mean is that your pet’s body will start to deteriorate much sooner than you might expect. Their body systems may not function as well as they did before, and this could put them at increased risk of contracting diseases and developing health problems. If they do become sick, their body may also not be able to fight the illness as well, and this could lead to them being more seriously affected than a younger, healthier animal.

Wellness Exams are an Ideal Time to Administer Preventatives and Give Other Important Health Advice

Preventative healthcare is a crucial part of keeping your pet safe from many of the contagious diseases that could threaten their wellbeing. Vaccinations are the most obvious preventative treatment, but your vet can also use their wellness exam to talk to you about other ways to protect your pet. This can include things like worming, flea and tick preventatives, and heartworm testing. They can also give you valuable advice on other important aspects of healthcare for your animal, such as feeding them the right diet, nutritional supplements, maintaining their weight, taking care of their teeth, and ensuring that they get enough exercise.

If your pet hasn’t had a routine wellness exam before, or they are overdue for a check-up with a vet, don’t delay in scheduling an appointment with our team in Atlanta GA. Call us today at (855) 738- 7437 to get them booked in.