Comprehensive Pet Physical Exams in Weddington, NC

Ensuring your pet lives a long, healthy life is a primary responsibility of being their owner and caretaker. Finding a veterinary clinic where you and your pet are comfortable is a key component of ensuring they stay healthy and can live long, happy lives. Weddington Animal Hospital recommends routine annual or semi-annual preventative care visits with your veterinarian to ensure your pet stays healthy and happy. By visiting us at least once a year for your pet’s health check up, we can examine your pet thoroughly to help identify any health issues and take preventative measures to hopefully prevent them from becoming serious.

Annual Preventative Exams

Annual preventative care examinations for your pet include an evaluation of your pet’s overall health, including vaccinations and screening tests. Your pet may receive a fecal and heartworm test at their annual visit, and blood work may be recommended for your pet to prevent or assess for diseases. These tests and vaccinations can help protect your pet and help ensure they remain healthy. Typically, it is recommended that your pet visits their veterinarian at least once a year for preventative care. As your pet grows older or if they develop a chronic health condition, it may be recommended for your pet to be checked more frequently, such as every 6 months, to ensure they stay healthy. Since pets age much faster than humans, they can develop diseases rapidly and often will show no symptoms until the disease progresses.

Heartworm, Flea & Tick Prevention

An important aspect of annual or semi-annual preventative care examinations is heartworm and flea and tick prevention. Heartworm disease is prevalent in the Carolinas and year round prevention is recommended through several prescription products. Heartworms are passed through mosquitoes and can cause deadly disease. Fleas and ticks can cause systemic diseases in both pets and people. It is important to give veterinary approved products as directed and discuss which products work best for your pet with your veterinarian at your annual visit.

Common Questions We’ll Ask You 

At each of your pet’s preventive care examinations, your veterinary staff will ask about your pet’s dietary habits and nutrition, any medications they are taking, heartworm, flea and tick medications, as well as any changes in drinking/urination/defecation or other concerns you may have. Your pet’s pulse, respiration rate, and temperature will be assessed at each appointment. Your veterinarian may recommend that your pet have diagnostics performed such as a fecal test, heartworm test, or routine annual or semi-annual blood work. We recommend testing for heartworm and intestinal parasites at least annually to ensure no exposure. Any vaccinations recommended will be discussed and a unique vaccination plan will be identified and recommended for your pet based on your his or her lifestyle.

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Nose to Tail Exam

At each physical examination, every inch of your pet will be examined thoroughly from their nose to their tail. The veterinarian examines each body system thoroughly and systematically. The examination includes looking at the eyes, ears, nose, teeth, heart, lungs, abdomen, bones, muscles, joints, reproductive and lymphatic tracts, and more. Your pet’s weight will be evaluated and a change in diet or lifestyle may be recommended. A thorough oral examination is performed at each visit and your pet’s teeth are assessed for any broken or infected teeth. A dental cleaning may be recommended to remove tartar and disease. Any vaccines or treatments will be administered and your vet will discuss any health concerns or recommendations with you.

Make the Visit Stress Free 

Going to the doctor, car rides, or change in routine can sometimes be stressful for your pet. If your pet gets nervous at the vet, we encourage you to address this at or before your visit and discuss a plan with your veterinary staff. There are many modalities such as medications, calming supplements, treats, toys and other techniques that can be utilized to help your pet feel more comfortable. We enjoy when our patients and their pet parents enjoy coming to see us and take strides to decrease stress as much as possible each visit. If you have any questions on decreasing your pet’s anxiety, please contact your veterinarian to discuss options for your pet.

Get Your Pet’s Physical at Weddington Animal Hospital

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure – especially when it comes to your pet’s health. Weddington Animal Hospital is happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your pet or if you would like to schedule an annual comprehensive physical examination. If you would like to learn more, please give us a call at 704-847-8466 or email us at wah@wahcares.com.

Schedule Your Appointment

We would love the opportunity to meet you and your pet!  You can fill out the appointment form and our office team will contact you shortly to schedule an appointment that works best for you.

Here at the Weddington Animal Hospital, we treat your pet like they should be treated, like a member of your family.  We take pride in our level of care and customer service and we look forward to having you join our family.

Contact Us Today

Just switched over to Weddington Animal Hospital a couple months ago… and WOW what a great choice! Everyone there is so friendly and keep you very informed on your furry friend. I feel very confident leaving my dog with Dr. Faulkner! If you are looking for more then just your average vet, WAH is the place to be.

- Willis Lowe, Google review

Weddington Animal Hospital is absolutely wonderful! We have tried out a few around the area and this is our favorite. Recently our puppy swallowed something she wasn’t supposed to & everyone apart of the hospital took such good care of her. Dr. Faulkner is amazing! He explained everything into such great detail and we were happy to leave her in such great hands. Thank you Weddington Animal Hospital!

- Leah Upchurch, Google review

Dr. Faulkner really took his time and answered all of our questions. As new puppy owners, we really appreciated his insight and patience with us.

- Jake Wood, Google review

If you are looking for a vet that is extremely knowledgeable, caring, and compassionate you have found the right place! Not only is Dr. Faulkner great, but his entire staff is too!

- Joe Black, Google review