Clinic service
Wellness Exams
A yearly checkup is where small problems get caught while they are still small.
About this service
The visit that sets up every other visit
A wellness exam gives our doctors a calm baseline for your pet. We check heart and lung sounds, look at eyes, ears, skin, coat and joints, check the mouth, and feel the abdomen for anything that has changed since last time. Your pet gets plenty of breaks, treats if the diet allows, and as much floor time as they need.
Then we talk, and you head home with a brief written plan covering prevention, diet, activity and the signs worth a call before next time. A yearly exam suits most healthy adults, while young and older pets usually need more frequent visits, and we explain why rather than just booking them.
What we look at, by life stage
Young pets get growth checks, vaccine series planning and a conversation about when to spay or neuter. Adults get a weight trend, a dental score and a look at any lumps. Seniors get closer attention to mobility, kidney and thyroid changes, and we may suggest a blood panel so we have numbers to compare against next year.
How to get the most from the exam
Bring a list of questions, any changes in eating, drinking or bathroom habits, and the names of medications or supplements. A short video of a cough, a limp or an odd behavior at home helps us more than you might expect.
Prevention we may suggest
Depending on age and routine, that can include parasite prevention matched to Idaho seasons, a dental cleaning date, a diet change for a pet carrying extra weight, or baseline blood work. Each suggestion comes with the reason behind it and a cost, and you decide what happens today and what waits.
Small pets count too
Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small mammals benefit from yearly checkups just as much as dogs and cats. Their teeth grow constantly and their diets are easy to get slightly wrong, so we spend extra time on the mouth, weight and food at these visits.
Keeping the visit calm
We greet nervous pets on the floor, use soft towels on the table and keep treats close. Cats can stay in the bottom half of their carrier for most of the exam. If your pet needs a break, we take one, and the exam picks up when everyone is ready. A calm first visit makes every later visit easier.
FAQ
Questions owners often ask
Still unsure? Call (555) 208-4416 and a team member will help you choose.
How many checkups a year does my pet need?
Once a year suits most healthy adult dogs and cats. Puppies and kittens come in every few weeks during their vaccine series, and pets over about seven years old often benefit from a visit every six months.
Should I skip my pet’s breakfast?
Not for a routine exam. If we think blood work may be useful, we will let you know when you book so you can hold breakfast that morning.
My pet seems fine. Is the exam still useful?
Yes. Pets hide discomfort well, and many changes, like early dental disease or slow weight gain, appear on an exam well ahead of any sign at home.
How long does the appointment take?
Most exams take around half an hour. First visits with us can run a little longer while we get to know your pet’s history.
Can two of my pets share a visit?
Yes. Tell us when booking and we will hold enough time for both so neither visit feels hurried.
Your exam day
What happens at a wellness visit
Check-in
We weigh your pet and ask about food, habits and any changes since last time.
The exam
A head-to-tail physical with treats and breaks, at your pet’s pace.
The plan
Vaccines, prevention and any tests, each with a written estimate.
Home
A summary by email and a reminder when the next visit is due.
17
Years in Boise
11k+
Patients seen
4.8
Average client rating
96%
Clients who return
New patients welcome · Same-week visits
Looking for a vet who learns your pet’s quirks?
Send a request online in about a minute or phone our front desk. You will leave the visit with a plan that makes sense.