Why Your Pet Needs Annual Wellness Exams

Your pet can’t let you know when something is wrong and pets are good at hiding any injuries or illnesses. By the time your pet shows symptoms of an illness, that illness has likely progressed to the point where your pet is very sick. Here at Katy Area Veterinary Medical Group, we provide wellness exams that can help save your pets from needless suffering.

Wellness Exams Help Your Pet Live Longer

An annual exam with our veterinarians in Katy is the best way to help your pet live a healthy life. Even though your pet may appear in good health, it doesn’t mean there isn’t anything wrong. Cats usually receive less care than dogs and get fewer veterinary visits, but both need annual wellness exams to have their health monitored.

Pets Age Faster than Humans

A year doesn’t seem like a long time, but in pet years, it is. Your pet’s health can change quickly over the course of a few months, which is why your pet should have a wellness exam every year.

The Importance of Wellness Exams

There are a few common reasons why an annual wellness exam is so important.

Nutritional Counseling: Since you see your pet every day it can be easy to overlook some gradual weight gain. Your veterinarian keeps detailed records of your pet’s weight and can let you know when it's time to make some changes. Nutrition is an important part of keeping your pet healthy and preventing diseases.

Early Disease Detection: Routine exams can uncover problems before they become bigger. Urine and blood tests can identify any risk factors or early forms of certain diseases that can be detected through an exam.

Heartworm Prevention: As part of an annual exam, your veterinarian can perform a test to detect heartworm disease and treat it. There are usually no visual signs of the disease until it has already caused damage.

Behavioral Issues: Your veterinarian is an expert on animal behavior. During the exam, you also have the opportunity to ask questions about behavioral issues and training that can help improve your pet’s health and your quality of life.

Visit Your Vet Today

If it has been a while since your pet has been to the veterinarian, contact our professionals at Katy Area Veterinary Medical Group at 281-398-1551 to schedule an appointment.