YOUR PET'S FIRST PHYSICAL EXAM WITH US

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The physical exam is the basis for diagnosis and treatment of your pet. Our doctors recommend a complete examination at least once a year (the "wellness exam" during which vaccinations are administered), as well as any time a pet is brought in for a specific medical issue. Example: Prior to providing your pet with a dental examination, our veterinary doctor must first conduct a physical exam to determine the health of your animal to avoid unanticipated problems occur during the dental procedures.

​The examination itself includes many things. It actually starts even before you see the doctor! The front office and technical staff observe the animal walking in, and take note of its attitude and any obvious irregularities and advise the doctor of their observations. The receptionist or technician will weigh your animal. Changes in weight are often a clue about underlying conditions like thyroid disorders or diabetes. The technician will then take your pet's temperature. While this may seem uncomfortable for some animals, it is necessary. An elevated temperature often indicates a problem, and in the event of fever our team will delay vaccinations so as not to put any additional burden on the immune system. The technician then briefs the doctor on how the animal has been doing and the duration of any problems. The veterinarian will greet you and your pet, make a visual assessment of attitude, coat quality and weight, then systematically examine the animal.

Head to toe exams include:

• Listening (auscultating) to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope to check for abnormal heart rhythms; murmurs that can indicate valve disease; or abnormal air flow through the lungs, which can indicate fluid or masses in or around the lungs.
• Palpating (feeling) the abdomen to assess the size and shape of the liver, kidneys, intestines and bladder as well as checking for the presence of masses.
• Measuring the lymph nodes ("glands"): enlarged lymph nodes can indicate infection or some types of cancers.
• Examining the ears with an otoscope (when indicated) to assess the ear drum, as well as identify inflammation and built-up debris that can indicate infection.
• Examining the eyes includes looking at the corneas (surface) and sclera (whites) for inflammation, which can occur with dust, bacterial infections and allergies. The doctor will also look at the back of the eye with an ophthalmoscope (when indicated), which lets us see the optic nerve and the rest of the retina, as well as differentiate true cataracts from normal aging changes in the lens.
• Examining the oral cavity includes checking for color and moisture of the gums, as well as looking for broken teeth and evidence of periodontal disease, such as gingivitis and tartar.
• The coat is examined for consistency and fullness, and examined for evidence of skin infection or external parasites like fleas and lice.
• If indicated, joints may be manipulated to determine the source of lameness or to identify arthritic joints.
• A rectal exam (in dogs) is performed in intact males to assess the prostate gland, in older animals to check for masses, and in dogs that have symptoms or a history of anal gland problems. It is also performed in animals with diarrhea to check for blood and abnormal material (bone fragments, stones, etc.). 

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