| What happens during an examination? Before the physical examination begins, your veterinarian asks 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. For example, a "history" of poor weight gain or weight loss can provide a clue to your veterinarian that there may be a parasite problem. Intestinal parasi tes (worms and protozoan's) are a common problem in pets, and carry with them the potential to kill your pet. This is particularly true in young puppies and kittens, but also holds true for adult animals. With a simple stool test, your veterinarian is able to detect the presence of these parasites. 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. Early detection of periodontal disease is important, not only for effective treatment, but also future prevention. 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. The veterinarian will also check your pet's weight. If the pet is too heavy, a change in diet may be required to avoid health problems related to obesity. If the pet is losing weight over time, that could be a sign that the pet has a related medical problem which needs further examination. 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. Since more than 12% of the dog population experiences some form of heart problem in their lifetime, leading to heart failure, early detection is crucial. | |