Routine exams from our vets at Zeeland Veterinary Service focus on preventive care for your dog or cat. These routine exams are pet checkups that help ensure your animal is in good health.
Preventive Care
To help your pet maintain good long-term physical health, it's critical to bring them to a veterinarian for a routine exam at least annually.
Combined with proper nutrition, regular vaccinations and parasite prevention, these routine examinations include regular physical checkups to give your pet the best opportunity at great lifelong health.
When you take your cat or dog in for their routine pet checkup, we can prevent health problems from developing or catch emerging issues early, when they are most treatable.
What to Expect During Your Pet's Physical
Your vet in Zeeland will give your dog a thorough physical checkup to capture a complete picture of his or her overall health. Routine cat & dog checkups at our animal clinic include these elements:
General Condition
Did you know your pet's physical condition and general demeanor can provide clues to their overall health? Their level of alertness, whether they are a healthy weight for their size and how they stand and walk are all important indicators of overall health.
Coat & Skin
During your pet's checkup in Zeeland, we will examine your cat or dog's coat and skin for signs of problems, including dandruff, bumps, lumps, abnormal hair loss, shedding, dryness or excessive oiliness.
Face & Head
Your pet's nose, ears and eyes will be checked for abnormalities or discharge. We will also examine the mouth for signs of oral health issues such as periodontal disease or plaque buildup.
Internal Health
Heart rhythm and rate, and pulse are all vitally important to your pet's heart health. These will be tested to ensure they're normal. The vet will then examine the lungs for any evidence of abnormal breathing. Lymph nodes and abdomen will also be checked for signs of illness or disease.
Review of Findings
To finish your pet's routine exam, your vet will take the time to discuss any concerns they may have regarding your pet's overall health and review your cat or dog's nutritional requirements.
Nutritional Consulting
When your veterinarian examines your pet, we will inquire about your pet's diet. The kind of food, amount of food and frequency with which they eat may all impact your pet's health.
Our vets can recommend which changes would be most effective, including prescription diets. If you have questions about your pet's eating habits or diets, feel free to ask one of our vets.
Checkups for Puppies & Kittens
In their first few weeks of life, puppies and kittens need appropriate medical attention to ensure they get off to a healthy start.
We'll give your new best friend a complete physical examination, deworming medications and the immunizations they require. They will also be tested for intestinal parasites.
You'll receive a kitten or puppy 'kit' full of educational material and samples to help you care for your family's newest member.
Please never hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have about your pet's care, both during your regularly scheduled appointments or following your visits.
Once the veterinarian has completed your puppy or kitten's checkup, you'll need to return periodically for your pet's required booster shots.
Seniors
Recent advances in veterinary medical knowledge and care, in addition to newer therapies and improved nutrition, have resulted in our senior pets living longer than ever.
While this is fantastic news for pets and their owners, it also means that your pet's routine healthcare needs special attention as they age.
As your pet surpasses middle age, regular examinations become increasingly important to ensure their continuing health and longevity.
Along with routine wellness procedures we perform for all adult pets, we also give special attention to your senior pet's potential geriatric conditions such as bone disorders, kidney disease or decreased vision.
We may recommend additional laboratory tests for aging pets to capture more detailed data about your senior pet's general health and well-being.
Vaccinations & Prevention
During your pet's veterinary checkup at Zeeland Veterinary Service, your vet will also check whether your animal requires preventive care, or if they are due for any routine vaccinations.