It was interesting to find out that many cats don’t get regular veterinary care. Why? Cats are great in masking signs of illness and injury, making their owners have a different perspective caring for them. Both cats and dogs have the same needs and benefits from an annual vet exam.
An annual vet exam is essential in helping your pet live long and healthy.
Prevents Future Costly Problems
From a thorough exam, a vet can fully access your pet’s health. As I mentioned above many pets tend to be stoic, wherein they don’t show any symptoms until a disease reaches an advanced stage. A vet exam can determine and diagnose many diseases, preventing them from worsening.
Pets age faster than we do, so missing even one yearly check-up can be like us not visiting a doctor for over five years.
Pet Care Education
Use your pet’s annual vet exam as an opportunity to ask questions.
As your pet ages, changes occur in their physical condition. A vet exam is a benchmark in educating and providing you ways to care for your pet.
Golden Retrievers are known for being stoic and very good in pleasing their owners. Sugar had a mass (a size of a ping pong) on her tongue and did not show any signs of discomfort. Took two surgeries to remove it and we are very fortunate of the positive results. As a pet parent, it is my responsibility to work with Sugar’s vet in monitoring her emotional and physical status. Preventing an illness is much easier than treating it.
Do you love your pet? The best way to ensure a healthy longer life is to take your pet in for their annual vet exam. It is the best “LOVE” you can give to your pet.
Partners For Healthy Pets
Take your pet for his/her annual vet exam.
Make sure to check HealthyPetCheckup.org, a great resource on what to expect on your pet’s annual vet exam.
My boys always go to the vet at least once a year for shots and then whenever else they need it.
I had a kitteh once who was a regular at the vet’s office. He was sickly, and and I knew all the signs. He cost me a fortune from the day I brought him home and had to rush him to the vet a few hours later to his very last day on earth. And he was worth every penny!
We have ours every August!
We always get a card for the annual check up, so we can’t forget to visit the “chamber of torture” :o)
Our vet has a wonderful postcard system to remind you of your annual visits. When you leave this year, you fill out a reminder card that gets mailed next year and that has been so helpful.
Im always amazed and horrified when I hear from people that their cats have not been to the vet for years! I take all my pets over 8 every 6 months for bloodwork and exam. Its helped catch many issues early when they are treatable
retro rover
Geez, I agree! I go in for my annual every year and feel that it is crucial that my vet sees me! It’s a good way for my parents to know exactly what is up with every part of me- especially the weight, teeth and internal organs!
Our pets are on a yearly schedule – young and old.
Monty and Harlow
It’s seems like mine always end up going 2-3 times per year. They always have their annual exam, plus other things come up that I want to get checked out. I’m too much of a paranoid mama for once a year visits. I like the reassurance that my pups are healthy 🙂
Mom watches us like a hawk! We go for our check ups regularly
Lily & Edward
Love seeing all these great PSA posts!
great post Sugar! We ALWAYS do annual exams and we do many inbetween! BOL! I lucked out today though. i was supposed to go for shots/grooming at the vet, but there are severe storms coming today so Mom moved it til next week! Barks and licks and love, Dakota
My sisters and I go in at least twice a year for an exam, and Mom takes all five of us (3 dogs, 2 cats) all at once every fall for a regular check up and to get any shots we need. Mom will admit that until she got older, she never took her cats to the vet. She figured they were house cats and didn’t need anything unless they got ill. That was a couple sets of cats ago, but now the kitties go and are up to date on all their shots and health issues as well. It is important for humans and pets to get to the doctor regularly.
Wonderful advice-an ounce of prevention is worth so much more than a pound of cure 🙂
We just returned from the vet for a follow-up on Bentley. I wish we could make our vet visits only once a year. I tend to rush for an opinion on anything with the boys.
We are sure in the category of getting regular check up Sugar, and then some, It sure is important, even if we don’t like the car ride.
HEY SUGAR….I HAVE MY SENIOR WELLNESS EXAM EVERY JULY. AND THEY STEAL MY BLOOD TOO. NEXT ONE IS JULY 18.
I HOPE AND PURR THE 4 LETTER WORD (DIET) IS NOT MENTIONED. LAST YEAR WAS WAS RIGHT ON TARGET.
HUGS MADI YOUR BFFF
SO impawtant to get annual check ups! So many people don’t take in their kitties, and I have no clue why! Cats are no less impawtant then pups, we need to keep our babies all healthy! And your absolutely right, cats are great at masking an illness they may have! Great post!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
I get checked out every year too
We go to the vet every year!
Yup, we could not agree more!
Your Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
I take my dog to the vet every year but not my cats. I admit it. I am disappointed every time I take my cats in. They vet listens to their heart and might glance at their teeth and that is the “exam” which costs $60. I guess that means I should find a different vet who is better with cats.
We agree that it’s very important to keep on top of our health even though we hate going to the v-e-t!
I love Partners for Healthy Pets and I love their mission. Annual exams are soooo important!
Exams are soooo important! Great reminder!
This was a great post, thank you for sharing how important it is to get a annual or twice a year exam.
Excellent, important post. Thank you for this reminder. As a former vet tech, I advocate vet appointments for annual shots,exam and procedures. I also believe in consultations for diet, exercise, and any questions.
Great reminder Sugar. Are you going to have your epulis removed or just watch it? I’ve seen a lot of boxers get those things.