Putting Pet Owners Minds to Rest — Breaking down the Vet Examination
by Melanie Carr

Recently, I adopted two kittens. I took them to the vet for their second booster shots, and it was a lot easier than I thought.

Like many pet owners, I am very serious when it comes to my animals health, and when I was planning Kadie and Tiffani’s visits I must say I was a bit nervous for them. I was so scared my babies would be hurting and uncomfortable. I had NO IDEA what happens during an examination.

The visit to the vet was an important learning experience for me. I learned that it is more painful for a kitten to drive in a car to get to the vet, than to get an examination or even a booster shot!

Here are the steps a veterinarian follows during a basic examination of your pet:

1) Before the physical examination begins, your veterinarian will normally ask you questions concerning your pet's state of health. This is very important for determining whether or not there are problem areas that need to be addressed.

2) After obtaining a history, your veterinarian performs a physical examination on your pet. Starting at the head, your veterinarian examines the eyes, ears, face and mouth. Examining the teeth is especially important since up to eighty-five percent of all dogs and cats over four years of age have some degree of periodontal disease.

3) The veterinarian will then examine your pet's coat, looking for signs of parasites (such as fleas), and ensuring that the coat is not too dry or too oily, which may indicate a dietary imbalance.

4) Your pet's weight will then be measured and recorded.

5) Nails may be clipped if needed.

6) During the physical examination, your veterinarian also listens to the chest with a stethoscope to make sure there are no respiratory or cardiovascular problems. The early warning signs of heart failure can be detected in this way.

Sounds painless, doesn’t it?

Well, really it is. All animals have different personalities, but my kittens were excited more than anything to be in a new place with lots of people paying attention to them.

Neither the needles nor the examination put stress on them in any way!

So now you know, there are no reasons to worry about pet’s examination. The big bonus is that if you want, you can accompany your pet into the Veterinarian’s room for his or her check-up!

Melanie Carr loves her kittens like children. She works as part of the crew at Mighty Miramichi.