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Emergency Info
Open 24 Hours
(916) 685-2494
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Pet Portal Access
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News
We will post news of interest here.
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Annual Exams
Our Goal
Every staff member here has experienced the joy of owning a pet and the
sorrow of losing a cherished companion. Our goal is to help you enjoy
your pet for as many healthy years as possible. We are here to help
educate you about preventative well care and to manage your pet’s
medical needs. We are solemnly dedicated to the proper care for your pet
- a team effort involving you, our veterinarians, and our veterinary
support staff. Early disease detection can prolong the quality and
longevity of your pet’s life.
Why Do You Want Your Pet to Have a Physical
Exam?
Your pet can’t always tell you where it hurts, or pets may mask their
pain (a survival behavior in the wild). A comprehensive physical exam
allows our doctors to compile a list of clues that can help uncover
disease. Early detection and treatment are essential to avoid undue
suffering and to prolong the quality and longevity of your pet’s life.
Watch for subtle changes in your pet’s body weight, appetite, water
intake, urination and bowel habits, as well as general attitude and
activity level. These changes may signal liver, kidney or heart
problems. Lumps and bumps under the skin may seem harmless, but can be
cancerous. Ear infections, abscessed teeth and gum disease are common,
painful conditions that may not become obvious until seriously advanced.
A comprehensive physical exam is the basic tool our doctors use to
evaluate your pet’s health status and to help you make informed
decisions about the care of your special companion.
What You Can Expect during a Comprehensive
Physical Exam
A physical exam is a complete hands-on assessment of your pet’s health
status. Our doctors are trained to detect disease by listening
(auscultation), feeling (palpating) and looking (visual evaluation).
First, we weigh your pet and measure his/her temperature, heart rate,
and respiration. After taking these basic measurements, your pet is
examined from head to tail, while all vital organs along the way are
gently palpated. Every body system is checked for disease. During the
physical exam, your doctor assesses the risks your pet has for
contracting preventable diseases caused by internal parasites
(heartworms and intestinal worms) and external parasites (fleas, mites
and ticks) and viruses. You will receive advice on how to prevent these
disease-causing agents with medications and/or vaccinations.
Good Health For Your Pet Includes a Periodic
Blood Test
Early detection and treatment is essential for your pet’s long and
healthy life. A Blood Chemistry Screen can pick up a problem before it’s
caught on physical examination. Early detection of diabetes, kidney and
liver disease, as well as a metabolic or hormonal imbalance is possible
with blood screening. |
| What is checked During a Comprehensive
Physical Exam
| * |
EYES...The eyes are examined with an ophthalmoscope
for cataracts and retinal disease. Some retinal diseases
indicate systemic (whole body) problems such as high blood
pressure and infections. Glaucoma screening may be recommended
for some animals. |
| * |
EARS...The ears are examined with an otoscope, an
instrument used to see into the long and angled ear canal to the
eardrum of dogs and cats. Ear infections and parasites are quite
common. |
| * |
MOUTH...The mouth is visually checked for lesions and
tumors. Teeth are examined for tartar build-up, abscesses,
fractures, missing teeth and gum disease. |
| * |
HEART & LUNGS...The heart and lungs are checked by
auscultation with a stethoscope, and feeling the pulse. The gums
are examined for their color, felt for how moist or dry they
are, and gently pressed and observed for capillary refill time. |
| * |
ABDOMEN...The abdomen is palpated for anomalies of
organ size and character, such as enlargement of the liver or
spleen, change in kidney size, bladder stones, tumors, and
intestine abnormalities. |
| * |
SKIN...The skin is examined for parasites, lesions,
and abnormal growths. |
| * |
LYMPH NODES...The lymph nodes are palpated for
symmetry, size, and tenderness. |
| * |
NERVOUS SYSTEM...The nervous system is evaluated by
observing your pet’s behavior and testing reflexes. |
| * |
THE EXTERNAL GENITALIA...The external genitalia are
examined for abnormal discharge, color, swelling, or growths.
The prostate gland is palpated for abnormal size and character. |
| * |
THE GAIT...(Manner of walking) is observed for
lameness and joints are palpated to detect tenderness and
inflexibility that may indicate problems like arthritis. |
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How Often is a Comprehensive Physical Exam
and Blood Screen Necessary?
Every species of animal ages at a different rate, and so does every
breed of dog. Generally, large dogs age faster than small dogs. Ask your
veterinarian how to plan for your individual pet’s optimal life-span.
Described here are the "average" life stages for a dog or cat and our
advice for basic well care management. |
| * |
THE FIRST YEAR...Begin with a thorough physical
examination to evaluate your pet’s basic health and to detect
congenital problems that need to be managed. Most animals are
born healthy, but some pets are born with heart disease, bone
abnormalities, hernias, etc. Some congenital conditions are not
immediately evident, so youngsters benefit by frequent visits to
their veterinarian. Young pets are especially susceptible to
infectious diseases until they build up immunity. Immunization
is accomplished through a series of vaccines beginning at six
weeks of age, completed at four to five months of age, and
followed with boosters as recommended by your doctor. |
| * |
ONE-YEAR-OLD...Physiologically similar to a
thirteen-year-old human teenager! A lot can change in this year,
so we advise a comprehensive physical exam to reassess your
pet’s health, to reevaluate life style and to be sure all
preventive measures are in process. |
| * |
TWO-YEAR-OLD...Similar to a young adult human in the
early twenties. This is a good time to get a baseline blood
profile. This is usually the peak time of a pet’s health and we
want to know the normal laboratory values for your particular
pet. As your pet ages, we can compare blood values over time to
help assess wellness and detect problems early. |
| * |
THREE TO SEVEN...We recommend an annual comprehensive
physical exam and blood screen as indicated. This wellness
program helps our doctors determine your pet’s physiological
"individual normal," rather than compare him/her to an "average
normal." |
| * |
EIGHT TO TEN...Midlife similar to a human between
forty and fifty years old. At this time, organ systems begin to
deteriorate, depending on life style and genes. The challenge
for us is to detect and manage health problems so pets can enjoy
life to the fullest. It is wise to step up the number of exams
to twice a year, since pets age about five years for every human
year. |
| * |
ELEVEN PLUS...Their "golden years." We recommend
semi-annual exams at a minimum. At this age, the rate of
deterioration increases, but most pets will enjoy their senior
years with proper management and care. |
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At What Other Times is a Comprehensive
Physical Exam and Blood Screen Necessary?
Pets with disease conditions require more intense monitoring than
healthy pets. Medical technology changes rapidly and visiting your
veterinarian regularly ensures that your pet is receiving the very best,
up-to-date care. Of course, a physical exam is appropriate anytime you
suspect a problem. |
| If you observe these signs, please call us to schedule an
appointment:
| * |
Weight gain or loss |
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Stool or urine accidents |
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Increase in sleep or restlessness |
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Fatigue |
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Breathlessness |
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Coughing |
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Difficulty walking or moving |
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Frequent vomiting |
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Poor appetite |
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Increase in thirst or urination |
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Bad breath |
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Dull, flaky hair coat |
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Lumps & bumps |
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Foul body odor |
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Behavior change |
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Crying or whimpering |
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| Contact Bradshaw Veterinary Clinic today at
(916) 685-2494 to make an appointment for an annual exam for your pet! |
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