WHAT TO EXPECT at a ROUTINE EXAMINATION

When you arrive for appointment your pet will be weighed and the weight will be recorded in the file.  If you have not visited our office before, you will be asked to complete some forms that will help us to create a medical record file for you.  Once complete you will enter one of our exam rooms where the examination will take place.

In the examination room a veterinarian will observe your pet as it moves about the room or the exam table, depending on its size. You will be asked if you have any questions or concerns about your pet (these may be questions such as whether you pet has experienced any coughing, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in appetite and water consumption and pattern of urination, changes in skin/haircoat and itchiness). If your pet's weight has varied significantly since the previous visit this will be brought to your attention. Significant alteration in weight can signal health or diet problems. Once concerns have been noted the physical examination begins. We usually start by examining the coat and skin. This gives us a chance to quietly handle your pet and thus increase its confidence in a strange situation. We note any problems such as poor hair coat, lesions, lumps or parasites. Grooming is often discussed at this time. Next to be checked are the muscles, bones and joints. The nails and feet are also inspected. The lymph nodes are checked for any sign of enlargement. At the head end the eyes, ears, nose, oropharynx and teeth are thoroughly examined. It will soon become apparent if you have been brushing your pet's teeth! At the rear end the anus, anal glands, prepuce/penis or vulva are checked for signs of trouble. The chest is auscultated with a stethoscope. This lets us hear the hear the heart and lung sounds. We check that the sounds, rate and rhythm are normal. The quality of the pulse is assessed. In some cases the lungs are percussed and the chest assessed for compressibilty. The rate and nature of respiration is noted. In cats particular attention is given to the thyroid glands in the neck. The abdomen is thoroughly palpated in order to check for organ pathology or abdominal masses. This part of the examination is very important in rabbits. The temperature is taken; rectally in dogs and via the ear in cats. If you have an elderly or unneutered male dog a rectal examination will likely be performed to assess the prostate gland. 

Any abnormalities will brought to your attention. The potential implication of these changes will be explained to you. Further testing or veterinary intervention may be suggested. If your pet has had previous problems which are being monitored, is elderly, unwell or is needing a general anaesthetic for a recommended procedure blood and/or urine specimens may be collected for testing. You will be contacted with the results later the same day or early the following day depending on the time of day the test was taken and the tests that were performed. If indicated management options will be discussed at this time. If there are problems with the eyes, further testing can be performed including tonometry to rule out glaucoma.  Testing for heart abnormalities including blood pressure measurement, ECG, Ultrasound and Chest Xray can be performed and are usually able to be completed the same (though these may require you to return to our office later to pick up your pet).

If you plan to be travelling with your pet a heartworm detection test may be run in preparation for using Interceptor for heartworm prevention.

A fecal parasite examination will be run, particularly if your pet has any sypmptoms that suggest digestive or gastrointestinal problems. If parasites are detected appropriate medication will be dispensed.   For any pet going outdoors at anytime, regular use of a broadspectrum worming agent is strongly recommended and will be either administered during the visit or sent home to be administered at a later date.

Flea and tick prevention/treatment will be discussed and the appropriate product dispensed.

You will be asked to outline your pet's feeding and exercise regimes. Changes may be recommended based upon your pet's breed, age, wellness and lifestyle.

We will discuss your pet's behaviour, and the role it plays in the lives of you and your family. Young children, compromised seniors and interaction with other animals are often a concern for pet owners. Any problems such as inappropriate urination/defication, furniture scratching, aggression, barking, separation anxiety, etc., will be addressed at this time.  We employ staff that have extensive training and knowledge in behavioural problems.  We will often spend additional time going over strategies for correction of these issues.

At the end of the visit you will be asked if there is anything else about your pet you wish to dicuss and if you have any questions pertaining to the examination and recommendations given.  If necessary a follow up visit will be scheduled.  On occasion we will send additional educational materials along that can be reviewed at your leisure or we may direct you to resources available through the Veterinary Information Network.

We sincerely hope that each person leaves our hospital understanding that they and our staff form an essential team in their pet's ongoing health care.

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