Wellness checks – a full MOT for your pet!

Wellness checks are routine medical examinations for your pet who appears healthy, to enable us to catch hidden health issues before they become dangerous.

Animals are very good at hiding illness until they reach crisis point. In fact surveys have shown that two out of three pets have health issues their owners don’t know about. Early detection means treatment can be started sooner to prevent or slow disease progression helping our pets live longer, healthier and happier lives.

What conditions could be identified?

There are many diseases which could be picked up, the most common ones are:

  • Arthritis 
  • Kidney disease
  • Dental disease
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure

What is covered in a wellness check?

  1. Physical Examination: Your pet will be examined from nose to tail! Their weight, gait, eyes, ears, teeth, lymph nodes, abdomen, coat, joints and heart will all be carefully checked.
  2. Blood samples: These tests will provide information about your pet’s health that cannot be obtained from a physical examination. To take a blood sample a small area of fur will be shaved from your pet’s neck or leg. A needle will be inserted into the vein and blood will be drawn off. Most animals cope with this without concern.
  3. Blood pressure measurement: Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a silent illness with very few clinical signs. It can cause damage to your pet’s heart, kidney, brain, eyes and general well being. Blood pressure can be easily measured in the clinic by placing a small cuff on your pet’s leg or tail.
  4. General health discussion: We will discuss your pet’s appetite, behaviour, exercise and diet.
  5. Preventative care review: general preventative care measures such as vaccination and parasite protection will be looked at to make sure we have in place the best preventative care plan for your pet.

Wellness checks help to give us peace of mind that our furry family members are as healthy as possible. If you would like to book a wellness check, please call us on 01202 624140 for our Lytchett Branch or 01929 552599 for our Wareham Branch.