What is a full health check for a dog?
Roxane Heaney
2025-10-03 20:32:11
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A full health check for a dog includes a thorough physical examination.
This involves checking your pet’s vital signs and examining their overall health.
The exam covers key areas such as the eyes, ears, and nose.
The vet also inspects your pet’s mouth and teeth.
An exam normally includes the following physical examinations: Nose & Face: Discharge, swelling, symmetry Eyes: Cataracts, retinal issues, pupil response Ears: Infections, wax buildup, mites Teeth & Gums: Tartar, gum disease, broken teeth Lymph Nodes: Swelling or abnormalities Heart & Lungs: Murmurs, rhythm, breathing Abdomen: Organs like liver, spleen, and bladder Skin & Coat: Parasites, lumps, hot spots, allergies Joints & Movement: Arthritis, stiffness, mobility Tail & Rear End: Anal glands, pain response.
In addition to physical assessments, other evaluations occur: Vaccinations and parasite prevention: Critical for protecting your pet from infections and infestations.
Optional Diagnostics (based on age/life stage): Blood tests for kidney, liver, and metabolic function Urinalysis to detect urinary or kidney issues Feacal testing for worms and parasites Dental check and scale if needed.
Glenna Romaguera
2025-09-29 21:26:58
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A wellness check-up includes a physical examination, diagnostic tests, and a faecal examination.
Physical examination includes your veterinarian feeling your pet’s musculoskeletal system, abdomen, and head and neck areas for abnormalities.
A stethoscope will be used to listen to your pet’s heart and lungs.
Your pet’s eyes, ears, and mouth will also be checked for age-related problems, such as cataracts, dental problems, and ear canal disorders.
Diagnostic tests include blood work, urinalysis, ultrasounds, and X-rays.
After their physical examination, your vet will decide which of these tests, if any, are necessary.
Faecal examination is done to check for intestinal parasites.
Recommendations on wellness care include diet, dental care, dental scale and polish, parasite control, vaccinations, behaviour, and grooming.
Regular wellness check-ups allow your veterinarian to detect, treat, or better yet, prevent problems before they become life-threatening.
Rigoberto Zboncak
2025-09-16 21:35:37
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: 13
A health check for a dog is a comprehensive physical examination.
We will check your dog’s weight, teeth, ears, eyes, heart, lungs, abdomen, coat, and nails.
In some cases, blood and urine may also be examined.
This makes it possible to detect underlying illnesses, such as a heart murmur, early kidney disease, or dental problems, at an early stage.
The sooner a problem is known, the better it can be treated and the less discomfort it will cause your dog.
Regular check-ups can prevent serious diseases.
A health check for a senior dog is even more comprehensive and focused on disease that come with age.
It takes 30 minutes.
We call this the senior check.
Cynthia Gerhold
2025-09-16 21:33:32
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: 18
When your pet has a full health examination – we would typically look at the following: body temperature heart rate, rhythm and evaluation for heart murmurs weight and body condition score eye examination - including ocular reflexes, cataract assessment, retinal and corneal examination ear examination mouth/dental examination - including dental and gingivitis scoring skin/fur examination palpation of lymph nodes and lumps/growths joints/movement and gait evaluation palpation of the abdomen neurological reflexes We would also check for signs of parasites, such as fleas and worms and provide authorisation for prescription flea/worm treatment to cover the next 12 months, if required.
We are also happy to discuss general pet well-being matters such as nutrition, behaviour, senility and exercise/mental stimulation.
A standard pet health check takes 15 – 20 minutes.
The health check is carried out by one of our experienced veterinary surgeons.
One of our final year veterinary students may discuss your pet and perform an initial examination as this is an important part of their training, but this will always be repeated by the supervising veterinary surgeon.
All pets should have a full health check once per year (usually at the time of their annual vaccination).
We recommend that older pets (cats over ten years, dogs over eight years old) are checked every six months as they can be prone to developing age related health conditions
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