What is a general Pet Health Check?

When one of our vets is doing a health check they are assessing your pet’s overall wellbeing and looking for any potential health issues early on.

What does a health check involve?

A General Health Check is a thorough, nose-to-tail examination of your pet. We’ll check their weight, measure temperature if needed, examine their eyes, ears, teeth, coat and joints, and assess their overall body condition and appearance. In some cases, we’ll recommend additional tests and screenings.

Why is a health check important?

Sometimes, early signs of illness are difficult to spot. Regular health checks ensure your pet’s health and longevity and prevent the development of serious health conditions. They will allow you to ask our vets any questions about your pet’s wellbeing and receive advice on how to best care for them.

How often should you take your pet for a health check?

We recommend seeing your adult pet at least twice a year, the first time so they can receive the annual booster and the second time six months after the first appointment. We’d love the opportunity to examine your senior pets, and puppies, kittens and young rabbits even more frequently. Monitoring their health as they age or develop is proven to be beneficial. We’ll always advise you on the most appropriate health check schedule, and leave it up to you to make a decision when to visit our clinic.

How can you prepare your pet for a health check?

If a health check is your first visit to our clinic, bring along any medical records, vaccination history or medications that your pet may be taking. If your pet is nervous about a visit to our clinic, bring along their favourite blanket, toy or a treat to help them relax. We offer an annual health check for your pet as a part of our Health Plan, so it might be worth checking if it benefits you to enrol your pet.