A Strong Start, Year After Year
Regular wellness exams give us a chance to understand what’s normal for your pet and notice changes before they become bigger concerns. At Ocean Animal Hospital, we pair thorough physical exams with straightforward conversations about your dog or cat’s health, lifestyle, and preventative care needs.
More Than a Routine Checkup
A wellness visit is our opportunity to look at the whole picture. We’ll review your pet’s history, talk through any changes you’ve noticed, and perform a nose-to-tail physical examination.
That includes evaluating the eyes, ears, mouth, skin, and coat; listening to the heart and lungs; assessing weight and muscle condition; and checking the abdomen, joints, spine, and lymph nodes. It’s also a good time to bring up the things that may not seem urgent but still have you wondering, from changes in appetite or behavior to a new lump or a little less enthusiasm for the stairs.
Because we keep our practice personal, these visits aren’t meant to feel rushed. Our veterinary team takes the time to explain what we find and why a recommendation may make sense for your pet.
Preventative Care That Fits Your Pet
No two pets live exactly the same life, so their preventative care shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all. During wellness visits, we can discuss:
- Vaccinations
- Parasite prevention
- Nutrition and weight
- Behavior and lifestyle
- Oral health
- Age-related changes
Ocean Animal Hospital provides both core and non-core vaccinations for dogs and cats. Recommendations are based on factors such as your pet’s age, lifestyle, environment, and potential exposure risks. We’ll explain what’s recommended and help you understand the reasoning behind it.
A wellness exam may also point to the need for additional screening. Bloodwork, urinalysis, fecal testing, or other diagnostics and imaging can give us more information about changes that aren’t visible during a physical examination.
Building a Useful Health History
Regular exams also help us establish a baseline for your pet over time. When we know what’s typical for them, changes in weight, mobility, heart or lung sounds, skin, oral health, or laboratory values are easier to recognize.
That ongoing familiarity becomes especially valuable as pets age or develop changing medical needs. Our goal isn’t to pile on unnecessary care. It’s to stay attentive, catch concerns when we can, and give you clear information so you can make confident decisions for your pet.
If it’s time for your dog or cat’s next checkup, call Ocean Animal Hospital at (321) 406-1618 to schedule a wellness exam.