We educate clients everyday on pet vaccinations. Counseling many on which carry the highest priority medically, and which you can postpone for a brief period. At minimum, it’s important to know which vaccines are required by Illinois state law.  Some pet owners neglect annual physical exams for their pets. Many dogs and cats we see due to serious symptoms have rarely, if ever, seen a veterinarian for well care. Health problems we could have caught early are advanced by the time we see them. We can’t overstate the importance of maintaining annually scheduled wellness exams. Veterinary science has brought advances in diagnostics and treatment, which give pets better options for living whole and healthy lives.  It can also save you money in the long run.

Why you want to remain vigilant about dental exams

Research shows that an estimated 85% of dogs and cats, who go to the vet for any reason, have significant dental disease. In fact, virtually all pets over the age of 3 have dental disease of some kind. Left untreated, dental disease can lead to painful tooth decay as well as systemic illness due to chronic infection. We’ve seen hundreds of cases of serious problems such as cancer and heart disease discovered at an annual exam, even though pets appear normal at home.  Annual physical exams often lead to early diagnosis, and early diagnosis increases the chances of successful treatment. Treatment of early stage disease is often less expensive than advanced disease treatment, and it’s less disruptive to your normal activities.

Get educated about your pet’s health and home care

Imagine that a human year is the equivalent of about 5-6 cat or dog years. By that calculation, missing even one or two annual would be the same as not having a check-up for ten years or more. Many diseases advance silently in humans, too, and we don’t advise neglecting your health! However, the difference is that, in general, you know when you’re experiencing pain or not feeling good. Your pet cannot tell you if there’s a problem.

During your pet’s annual exam, we listen to your observations about your pet’s appetite and behavior. We observe differently than you do because of extensive training and experience. We’re able to make an accurate assessment to provide recommendations that keep your pet as healthy as possible. Recommendations we make are accompanied by tons of education and insight about caring for your pet at home. When needed, we won’t leave you in the dark about treatment, and we offer payment options that help make pet care more affordable.

The annual wellness visit, including a thorough physical exam, is the best investment of time and money you can make in the long-term health of your pet.