Cat & Dog Wellness Exams
The Importance of Preventive Care
Routine wellness exams play an important part in maintaining the long-term optimal health of your pet.
Combined with regular vaccinations, parasite prevention, and proper nutrition, these regular examinations provide your cat or dog with their best chance at achieving optimal health their whole lives.
When you bring your pet in for their routine checkup, we can catch developing health issues in their earliest stages when they are more treatable or prevent them from happening altogether.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
Your Groton vet will perform a physical checkup for your cat or dog, to obtain a full picture of their overall health. A routine wellness exam at our Groton pet hospital will consist of the following components:
General Condition
Your cat or dog's physical condition and general demeanor can offer clues to their overall well-being. How they walk, stand, their weight, and their level of alertness can all provide us with important indicators of your pet's overall health and condition.
Coat & Skin
Throughout your pet's checkup, your vet will examine your cat or dog's skin and coat for hints of any problems, such as excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps, bumps, dandruff, or abnormal hair loss or shedding.
Face & Head
Your pet's nose, eyes, and ears will be checked for abnormalities or discharge. We will also examine their mouth for symptoms of oral health conditions such as plaque buildup or periodontal disease.
Internal Health
Heart rate and rhythm, pulse, and blood pressure are extremely important to the heart health of cats and dogs. We'll test these to make sure they are normal. The lungs will then be checked for signs of abnormal breathing.
Lymph nodes will be examined for pain or swelling, and we will also check their abdomen to see if the intestines, kidneys, bladder, spleen, liver, and stomach all feel normal and that your pet isn't showing any signs of discomfort.
Review of Findings
After your pet's routine wellness exam, your vet will designate time to discuss any concerns they might have regarding your cat's or dog's overall health and talk to you about the nutritional requirements of your pet.
Checkups for Puppies & Kittens
Kittens and puppies require proper medical attention and care during the first several weeks of their lives, so they get a healthy start to life.
We'll give your new family member a comprehensive physical exam as well as the appropriate immunizations, and deworming medications. Your vet will also test them for intestinal parasites. At the appointment, you will be given a kitten or puppy 'kit' that contains educational materials and samples to help you raise your new friend.
After your kitten or puppy's checkup, you'll have to come back routinely for their mandatory booster shots.
Seniors
The healthcare of your cat or dog will require special attention as they get older. Once your furry companion passes their middle-age years, routine checkups become more important in ensuring their continuing longevity and health.
As well as our usual routine wellness procedures that we provide for all adult pets, we will also give special attention to your senior cat or dog's potential geriatric conditions, such as decreased vision or arthritis.
We might also recommend further laboratory tests for older pets to obtain more detailed information about their overall health and wellbeing.
Sick Pet Appointment
Contact us to schedule a same-day appointment if your cat or dog becomes sick or injured. We believe if your pet becomes suddenly ill they shouldn't have to wait for veterinary care. Our office also offers emergency care appointments during our regular business hours.
Vaccinations & Prevention
During your pet's routine checkup at our Groton veterinary pet wellness center, the veterinarian will look to see if your cat or dog requires specific preventive care, or if it's time for any of their routine vaccinations.