• The most important thing a responsible pet owner can do for their pet is to bring it in for a complete physical examination once a year

• A complete physical examination is a “nose to tail” experience

• The exam includes an overall visual observation for external abnormalities, an oral review, exam of the ears and eyes, check of the main body, limbs, feet, joints and nails

• The exam also includes testing for worms and vaccinations

• A complete annual physical exam can allow for early detection of diseases or problems

The most important thing a responsible pet owner can do for the animal is to annually bring it in for a complete physical examination.  The exam should be what I call a “nose to tail” experience.  My checkup starts with an overall visual observation for external lumps, sores, parasites and other abnormalities.  Then, an oral review of the mouth and teeth is conducted looking for tumors and masses in the mouth and throat as well as excessive tartar buildup.  Next, the pet’s ears and eardrums are examined with an otoscope for infections and discharge.  The eyes get checked with an opthalmoscope looking at the cornea and retina for cataracts and abnormal blood vessels.

From here I then proceed to the main body cavity where I listen to the heart and lungs for evidence of fluid in the lungs, an irregular heart rate or murmur.  I then perform a palpation of the abdominal area looking for masses in this cavity and stones in the bladder.  I also feel for any external lumps on the body and palpate all lymph nodes checking for swelling that might indicate cancer or an infectious process.

Next, it is necessary to perform a thorough examination of the pet’s limbs and feet, checking all joints for evidence of lameness and osteoarthritis, as well as excessively long nails, tears to the pet’s pads or webbing and ticks hiding between toes.  Finally, I arrive at the tail where the rectal area is examined, a stool sample taken and tested for hook, round and tape worms, and coccidia.

In addition to my comprehensive examination of the pet, I vaccinate a dog for rabies, distemper, parvo, and bordetella (vaccinations given to a cat are slightly different and may vary depending upon whether the cat lives exclusively indoors or spends some time outside) and perform a heartworm test to verify that the pet has not contracted heartworms which are always ultimately fatal unless treated.

While many people think of a pet’s annual exam as primarily consisting of shots, the examination process and tests run should not be overlooked, because they can allow for early detection of diseases or problems which, if treated, can hopefully enhance the quality and longevity of your pet’s life.

If you have any questions about my examination process or other issues, I can be reached at Dr. Doolittle’s Animal Hospital at 972-317-9310 and will gladly try to help.