Semi-Annual Examination

We recommend annual and semi-annual wellness physical exams. The information we gather at each exam becomes a part of your pet's medical history and can be critical if an emergency or sudden illness arises. Remember that our pets will age four to seven years faster than we do, so changes can occur very rapidly. Although these changes can be subtle, they can occur rapidly.
As part of these complete exams, we do the following:

• Check for significant weight loss, which can be an early warning sign of disease. Obesity is a common problem in all pets. We will assess your pet's diet and nutritional needs.
• Check the condition of legs, hips, joints, and spine.
• Examine the hair and coat. It should appear healthy and well groomed. Dull, dry, brittle hair or hair loss may indicate an underlying illness.
• Check skin for infection or sign of fleas, ticks, or mites.
• Palpate the abdomen for abnormal masses or pain.
• Listen to the chest for heart murmurs, irregular heartbeat, and abnormal lung sounds.
• Examine eyes for cataracts or inflammation.
• Evaluate nose and nasal passages for signs of upper respiratory disease.
• Check for periodontal disease. As many as 95% of all pets two years and older have periodontal disease. We evaluate your pet's teeth and check the color and condition of the gums.
• Palpate lymph nodes for enlargement or tumors.
• Check for heartworms and other parasites
• Perform a rectal exam for abnormalities and analyze a stool sample.

Please call 203-324-5711 for an appointment.