Veterinary Exam

At Rimbey Veterinary Clinic, our team of professionals are trained to detect and spot signs of a potential medical issue during exams. Throughout the year your cat or dog may go through subtle changes that the untrained eye could miss, which is why regular veterinary exams are a must. Our team will track the changes and perform additional testing to get ahead of any problem.

When should my cat or dog have a veterinary exam?

At minimum your loyal companion should have a veterinary exam every year. Cats and dogs have a shorter lifespan when compared to humans so it’s important to constantly monitor their health. Based on their health and age your feline or canine may need multiple visits throughout the year. Senior cats and dogs need two veterinary exams each year and kittens and puppies need three. At these ages they are more vulnerable to illnesses. To schedule a veterinary exam for your cat or dog, please call us at 403-843-2234.

What happens during a veterinary exam?

Veterinary exams are designed to detect unknown illness and monitor the development of the patient. The veterinarian will do a comprehensive check of the external body and may run additional diagnostic tests if necessary. Here are the areas of the body that are examined:

• Abdomen - the veterinarian is checking the size which could signal abnormal masses or organ size. Diagnostic testing may show enlarged kidneys which indicate renal failure, a thickened bladder which may be hiding a chronic urinary tract infection.
• Eyes - your loyal companion can suffer from dry eyes, corneal ulcers, glaucoma and even blindness if they aren’t checked and treated sooner than later.
• Ears - parasites such as ear mites and yeast infections can cause ear problems for cats and dogs. The veterinarian will look for symptoms of an infection such as inflammation, swelling or pain.
• Mouth - dental health is extremely important throughout your feline or canine’s life. Infections or bacteria from the mouth can spread to vital organs.
• Skin - the skin’s condition can indicate a problem with nutrition, parasites, endocrine imbalance and other health issues.
• Heart and lungs - the veterinarian will use a stethoscope to listen to sounds inside the body. We will listen for wheezing, crackles or any abnormal sounds that are associated with heart disease and fluid in the lungs.
• Bones, muscle, joints - In their golden years cats and dogs are prone to various orthopedic issues which are easier to manage and treat in the early stages. Examining the musculoskeletal systems also shows the development of young cats and dogs.

What is discussed after the veterinary exam?

If we find any health issues during the exam, we will discuss the condition and treatment with you. To keep your cherished companion in good health in between visits, your veterinarian will discuss preventative measures to adopt into your cat or dog’s routine care. Our team will discuss having a vaccination, deworming, and dental routine. We may also recommend nutrition counselling sessions if your pet’s health requires a more tailored diet.