
Oswego Veterinary Hospital
Nurturing the Human-Animal Bond
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Once again our lovely Miss Liza Loo to the left is all ears as we talk about the importance of Wellness Exams for all your pets.
Wellness exams are the most important preventable health procedure and diagnostic aid available for your furry family members, particularly those that are elderly or who's health is compromised in some way.
Our Wellness Exam appointment are 30 - 40 minutes in length so you will have plenty of time with our doctors to discuss your pet's health and any concerns you may have.
As a part of your pet's health program, our caring doctors will give your pet a thorough physical exam. Our physical exam will help alert you to potential problems which may occur. The comprehensive exam checks the following parameters in detail:
1) Weight
2) Body Condition
3) Coat & Skin quality
4) Cardiovascular Condition
5) Teeth & Gum Condition
6) Eyes, Ears, Nose & Throat
7) Musculoskeletal System
8) Lymphatic System (Lymph nodes)
9) Basic Neurological System
10) Behavior & Socialization Progress
11) Abdominal Palpation to detect abnormal intestine, kidney, liver or spleen size, as well as detect large tumors from these organs.
The physical exam, however, does not allow us to determine the overall health of the internal organs. Only a blood screen will do that. This procedure will detect any liver and kidney problems as well as check for anemia, diabetes and infections.
We recommend this screening for all pets under 7 years of age. If your pet is 7 or older, as stated above, we recommend bi-yearly exams with a blood screen at least yearly. As in all health evaluations, early detection is the key as it allows for more effective treatment options.
Yearly fecal exams are also very important because they can uncover parasites that may not be causing a problem yet, but left untreated can lead to severe diarrhea, vomiting, anemia or malnutrition. Some fecal parasites may even be transmitted to humans.
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