Although we all wish they could, dogs and cats don’t live as long as humans do. That’s why it’s especially important for them to have a comprehensive wellness exam at least once a year to keep them healthy. These exams serve as a preventive measure for your canine and feline friends through every stage of their lives. In many cases, they allow us to catch certain health conditions in their early stages so we can treat them as soon as possible.
Here at Triangle Animal Clinic, a veterinary wellness exam primarily consists of a physical assessment. This assessment typically includes a check of their weight, heart rate, body temperature, teeth, skin, coat, respiration, and joints. It may also include an intestinal parasite screening (via a stool sample), urinalysis, or blood screening as a means of early disease detection.
AGE-RELATED WELLNESS PROGRAMS
Caring for a 4-month-old puppy or kitten is very different from caring for a 14-year-old pet. With that in mind, Triangle Animal Clinic offers wellness programs that are tailored to the needs of puppies and kittens, and programs that are designed specifically for senior pets. We recommend at least three exams for puppies and kittens, with their first visit at about 8 weeks of age and their third at 16 weeks. Adult pets (16 weeks to 7 years of age) should be examined at least once a year. And for senior pets (age 7 and up), we recommend head-to-tail exams at least twice a year.
Laboratory Diagnostics
Triangle Animal Clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to give your pet high-quality diagnostic care, which allows us to then provide them with high-quality treatment. Our in-house complete laboratory diagnostics give us the ability to perform blood, urine, and stool sample screenings, with same-day results.
Our facility is also equipped with advanced cardiac diagnostic ultrasound and radiography services. With our ultrasound technology, we can diagnose and treat conditions like pancreatitis, kidney and urinary disease, cancer, internal infections, liver disease, heart disease, and other diseases. With our radiography services, we can take X-rays of your pet in-house as needed. We also consult with board-certified specialists for various conditions, if necessary.
COMPREHENSIVE PET EXAM
The physical exam is a very important aspect of your pet’s wellness. During this exam, the doctor evaluates the entire pet, which includes:
- An eye exam using an ophthalmoscope
- An ear exam using an otoscope
- A heart exam using a stethoscope
- Other points evaluated include teeth, skin, coat, vital signs, body condition, and joints. Doctors also use their hands to palpate the abdominal contents.
On average, veterinary physical exams discover three additional health concerns than what is known by the pet owner.
Early Disease Detection
Although a comprehensive exam is imperative, it may not tell the whole story. Monitoring lab parameters, such as blood analysis and urinalysis, each year alerts us of potentially threatening trends of the internal organs and helps identify internal disease at the earliest stage possible.
INTERNAL MEDICINE
Our hospital offers thorough diagnostic and treatment capabilities to care for your pet’s health care needs. We have access to advanced cardiac diagnostic ultrasound, and consult with a variety of board certified specialists to ensure that your pet receives the best possible care. Internal medicine deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disease inside the body. Common examples include:
- Pancreatitis
- Kidney/Urinary Disease
- Internal Infections
- Cancer
- Diseases of the Liver, Gallbladder, Endocrine System (e.g., Diabetes, Adrenal, Thyroid, etc.) and Heart Disease
Pharmacy
We stock a wide variety of pharmaceuticals to ensure that your pet can receive necessary medications as fast as possible. We also maintain a complete inventory of shampoos, as well as flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives, to meet the needs of your pet. Our On-Line pharmacy offers you the opportunity to have virtually any medication or preventative product shipped directly to your door!
CLIENT EDUCATION & CONSULTATION
Although today’s medical technology allows us to care for your pet with equipment and knowledge that is constantly advancing, these improvements have also created new challenges in deciding on the best treatment for your pet. The options are complex and confusing.
Our goal is to educate you about your choices and with the partnership of your doctor you can make the best decisions. We do this by taking the time to fully discuss the options and listen to your questions and concerns.
During the exam process, another important aspect of wellness care is educating clients. Together as partners, we can ensure your pet receives all that he or she needs to live a long and quality life.
Screenings
We also offer annual blood screenings for all of our patients. If done routinely, these screenings will help our doctors detect potential diseases before they become a serious issue. If caught early, many common diseases can be managed through dietary modifications. Since pets usually don’t exhibit symptoms of many serious diseases, such as kidney or liver disease, until the disease is in its advanced stages, early detection leads to early treatment and can prolong your pet’s life.
