Early Detection of Problems Leads to Longer Life for Your Pet
Comprehensive physical examinations are an important tool in providing a long, quality life for your pet. Pets age 5-7 times faster than humans, can't talk, and often hide early signs of disease. One year represents 5-10% of the pet's life span, whereas one year only represents a very small percentage of the average life of a human. Getting a comprehensive annual physical examination for your pet is like one every 5-7 years for humans.

Since pets can't talk to us, they often are unable to communicate problems before they become a major concern and threat to the pet's well being. Any hint of abnormalities may bring recommendations for additional laboratory testing to confirm suspicions.

Components of the Comprehensive Physical Exam
Weight and Other Body Vital Signs: Significant weight gain or loss can be an early warning of disease. Obesity is the most common nutritional problem in pets. Your pet's overall body condition will be evaluated and appropriate recommendations of diet and other nutritional needs will be made. Temperature, pulse and respirations are also assessed. Elevation in any of these can be a sign of infection, inflammation, illness or pain.

Skin and Hair Coat
Dull, dry, brittle hair or hair loss can indicate an underlying illness. Flea infestations can lead to serious disease.

Eyes, Ears and Nose
Such things as severe conjunctivitis, cataracts, and glaucoma can sometimes be prevented if detected early enough. Thorough examination of the ear canals can prevent painful ear infections and loss of hearing. The ear canal of pets is anatomically different from humans with the majority of the canal hidden from view with the naked eye. Tumors, grass seeds, excessive wax, and ear mites are commonly found in the lower part of the ear canals.