Annual Wellness Exams
Annual Wellness Exams
Check out these pet-care tips from Dr. Barron. Schedule your pet’s wellness exam at our Little Rock animal clinic by filling out an appointment request form here or by calling us at (501) 224-6998.
Your pet ages six to ten years for every year that you age. Because of this, it’s important that he or she consistently receive an animal wellness exam to ensure optimal health. At SRVC, we recommend that your middle-aged or senior pet receive this comprehensive exam twice yearly to help your feline and canine families stay together as long as possible.
What is an Annual Pet Exam?
An pet wellness exam provides an excellent opportunity for your veterinarian to conduct a thorough physical examination, and develop a health profile for your pet. This information will help us proactively identify medical problems and any other issue that can affect your pet’s health and quality of life. It also can help detect early signs of illness and address health issues before they progress.
Exam Specifics
The annual pet wellness exam looks at all of your pet’s major body systems, from head to tail. Some of the specific things you can expect include:
- Weight check — At each visit, your pet will be weighed to make sure she’s at a healthy weight. You may receive nutritional counseling or exercise suggestions depending on the outcome.
- Nose and mouth — The veterinarian will examine your pet’s nose for injuries, abnormal growths or excessive discharge. Your pet’s mouth will also be examined to check for any dental health concerns, such as periodontal disease.
- Skin, fur and eyes — During the pet wellness exam, the vet will look at the structure of the eyes and check for abnormal responses to light, discharge or redness. The pet’s skin and coat will also be examined since it is a great indicator of overall health.
- Heart and lungs — Using a stethoscope, the doctor will listen for heart murmurs and abnormal sounds.
- Ears — The veterinarian looks at the ear flaps, ear canals and eardrums for redness, discharge, growths or the appearance of any parasites or mites.
If your pet is due for any vaccinations, this will also take place during the annual pet exam. Laboratory work, such as testing for heartworms or kidney function, may also take place.
What Our Clients Say
C. Mayfield
I have seen a lot of changes since I have been a client at Shackleford Veterinarian Clinic since 1996. The best change of all was when Dr. Barron started. You will not find a better veterinarian or staff!
Tiffany Williams
SRVC answered all of my questions and even allowed me to come back after my appointment to update and add information to my pet's health certificate. I would highly recommend this vet to anyone. They go above and beyond expectation.
Ashley Hurst
I will forever be thankful that Dr. Barron was recommended by my neighbor! My pets have been treated at several different veterinary clinics, but no one
has ever compared to Dr. Barron. The front desk staff and vet techs could not
be kinder!
Why Does the Veterinary Clinic Recommend this Every Year?
Since pets cannot tell us what they are feeling, disease and illness are often present before humans recognize them. Moreover, as part of their survival instinct, many animals hide the early signs of diseases. The result is that illness may be critically advanced before any obvious signs are apparent. Some early warning signs are often evident to a veterinarian during an animal wellness exam, however.
When a disease or condition is noticed in its early stages, steps can often be taken to prevent irreversible damage, thereby increasing the chances of successful outcome. Additionally, combating problems before they escalate to the point that you notice them is often far less time-intensive and costly than waiting until it impacts the pet’s quality of life.
