Annual Wellness Exam

An annual wellness exam is a routine, comprehensive "nose-to-tail" check-up designed to assess a pet's overall health and detect early signs of illness.

Welcome to Creekside

We are always thrilled to welcome new furry faces and their families to our full-service clinic! Building a relationship of trust with you and providing the absolute best care for your pets is at the heart of everything we do.

What to Expect During Your Visit

A Warm Welcome: The moment you walk through our doors, our team will be here to greet you and get you into an exam room as quickly as possible. Please feel free to enjoy some refreshments and browse our retail area during your visit!
A Quick Note on Timing: Because we are a full-service clinic, medical emergencies do occasionally happen. If an urgent situation causes a slight delay in your appointment, we truly appreciate your patience and understanding.
On the Go? Try a Drop-Off: If your schedule is packed, don’t sweat it! We offer convenient drop-off appointments so your pet can get the care they need while you take care of your busy day.

Step-by-Step: Your Pet's Appointment

1. Getting Settled: An assistant or technician will escort you and your pet into a private exam room. They’ll chat with you about the reason for your visit, get a quick lifestyle and health history, and gather any supplies or vaccines the doctor might need. If your pet needs quick diagnostics—like routine lab work, an ear swab, or an X-ray—we may get started on those at that time to keep your visit moving smoothly.

2. The Doctor’s Exam: Next, you’ll meet with one of our wonderful veterinarians and your pet will receive a thorough exam. To help us give your pet the most comfortable experience possible, please let us know:

If they have any sensitive areas or "no-no" zones when being handled.
If they have any food allergies (we love using tasty treats to keep things stress-free!)
If they actually behave a little better or feel more confident stepping into our treatment area for a few moments without you.

3. A Smooth Wrap-Up: Once the exam is complete, you and your pet can relax comfortably in the exam room for just a few minutes. We will get your prescriptions filled and finalize your visit details right there, so when you step up to the reception desk, checking out is quick, easy, and stress-free.

We can't wait to meet you and your beloved pets! If you have any questions before your visit, just give us a call.

What are we looking at and why?

Key components of a routine annual wellness exam include a thorough physical examination (checking eyes, ears, mouth, skin, joints), weight assessment, vital sign monitoring, parasite screening, and necessary vaccinations.

Key Components of a Wellness Exam:

Comprehensive Physical Exam: The veterinarian checks the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth for infection or inflammation, examines teeth for tartar/periodontal disease, and assesses the coat and skin for lumps, bumps, parasites, or infections.
Vital Signs and Measurements: The pet is weighed, and its rectal temperature is checked if warranted.
Cardiopulmonary Assessment: The veterinarian uses a stethoscope to listen to the heart and lungs, looking for abnormal heart rates, rhythms, or sounds.
Abdominal Palpation: The veterinarian feels the abdomen to evaluate the liver, kidneys, intestines, bladder, and spleen for abnormalities, pain, or swelling.
Musculoskeletal and Neurological Check: The veterinarian assesses the pet's movement (gait), joint mobility, and muscle tone for signs of pain or discomfort.
Preventive Medicine: Based on lifestyle and age, the vet will recommend vaccinations, blood tests for parasitic infections (Heartworm disease, Lyme disease, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia), fecal checks for parasites, and heartworm/flea/tick prevention.
Dietary and Behavioral Counseling: Discussions about nutrition, weight management, and any behavior changes.

Potential Additional Testing:

Bloodwork Panels: To monitor organ function (kidneys, liver), and assure certain medications are safe to prescribe, as well as detect abnormalities and infections.
Urinalysis: To screen for urinary tract infections or metabolic diseases.

Why is it neccessary?

A Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) is the mandatory legal and ethical foundation for veterinary care, requiring a veterinarian to have sufficient knowledge of an animal through in-person exams to diagnose and treat it. It is necessary for prescribing medication, conducting, and ensuring, in most cases, that a veterinarian is physically acquainted with the patient. Additionally, we have a "healthy" baseline to compare to when your pet seems off and you just can't quite put your finger on what could be the cause.