Pet Owners Guide on the Different Types of Veterinary Appointments

Pet Owners Guide on the Different Types of Veterinary Appointments

Many pet owners believe that veterinary visits should only be made when their pet is ill. While you should take your pet to a specialist if you feel your pet is injured or sick, our veterinarian is also vital in preventing your pet from being ill.

Most vets provide pet wellness care, often referred to as preventative care. Aside from routine appointments, there are a variety of other sorts of visits that pet owners should be aware of; continue reading to find out more about these visits.

Complete Physical or Annual

This is a wellness and preventative care visit for a dog or cat who looks in good health or has stable conditions presently being managed. This visit focuses on keeping your pet’s health at its best. The following will happen:

  • Your veterinarian will inquire about your pet’s nutrition, activity, breathing, behavior, habits, elimination patterns, lifestyle, and general wellness.
  • The vet may recommend pet vaccines and parasite prevention, diet, skin and coat care, joint health, weight management, or dental care based on your pet’s medical history and physical examination.
  • Blood may be extracted for heartworm and infectious disease screening, medication monitoring, and wellness screening.

Non-Routine

This is an appointment for a more comprehensive discussion of disease, injuries, or behavioral issues. This appointment aims to learn more about the presenting condition or history and formulate a diagnosis and treatment plan. The vet will do the following:

  • Your pet will be examined entirely by the veterinarian, with particular care to any areas of concern.
  • The vet will next provide recommendations for specific diagnostic examinations based on your pet’s medical history and physical examination, which will aid us in diagnosing the problem.
  • The laboratory may require blood, urine, skin tests, and other samples.

Drop-Off

Drop-off refers to leaving your pet at the clinic for a few hours. When pets are dropped off, they are instantly assessed, and if their situation is complicated or an emergency, they are given immediate attention.

Dental

An oral examination of your pet’s face, head, and neck is the initial step in a dental exam. The teeth and soft tissues within the mouth are next examined.

Dermatological

The dog & cat dermatologist will examine your pet’s skin and coat for indications of problems. Issues such as excessive oiliness or dryness, lumps, bumps, dandruff, or abnormal hair loss or shedding, and get an overview of the problem your pet has been referred to during the preliminary examination.

Surgical

General anesthesia is commonly used during surgery, such as veterinary orthopedic surgery. The majority of surgical procedures typically take place in the morning. They may be awake and ready to return home the same day. However, they are more likely to stay overnight and return the next day.

Technician

These appointments can be made for non-core immunization boosters, blood work, suture/stitch/staple removal, or recheck x-rays (when cleared by a vet) for current customers who have seen a veterinarian within the last six months.

Conclusion

It might be challenging to detect if your pet is sick or injured as a pet owner. Fortunately, veterinarians are trained to recognize specific symptoms during standard examinations. While your pet’s veterinarian may be able to address some of your issues during a wellness visit, most of these issues require additional time.

The vet may recommend a follow-up consultation for concerns discovered during a check-up or referrals to other specialists. These are some of the many reasons pet owners should regularly take their animals to the veterinarian.