A careful look at the whole pet, every year
A wellness exam happens when nothing seems wrong, which is the whole point of it. Dogs and cats hide discomfort well, and many of the changes we find at these visits, such as a sore tooth, a few extra pounds, a new heart sound or a stiff hip, have been building quietly for months.
Each exam at Wrenfold is booked for thirty minutes. A technician weighs your pet and asks about life at home: food, energy, thirst, bathroom habits, behavior and anything that has changed. Then the doctor examines your pet from nose to tail, explains what they find as they go and finishes with a short written plan you can keep.
Our patients range, from eight-week-old puppies to cats in their twenties. The exam changes with the stage of life, but the goal stays the same: catch small problems while they are small, and give you a clear sense of what is due and what can wait.
If something does turn up, the summary says how urgent it is in plain terms: watch it, recheck it at the next visit, or book a follow-up this month. Most findings at a wellness exam fall into the first two groups.
How often your pet should come in
The right rhythm depends on age, health and lifestyle. These are the general guides we use, and the doctor will adjust them for your pet after looking at its history and talking with you about life at home.
Every three to four weeks until the last puppy or kitten booster, which usually falls between sixteen and twenty weeks.
Once a year for most healthy dogs and cats between one and seven years old.
Twice a year for dogs over eight and cats over ten, with screening blood work.
As often as the condition calls for, usually every three to six months.
What the doctor checks at every wellness exam
Every exam covers the same body systems in the same order, so nothing is skipped on a busy day. You will hear what we find as we go.
- Weight and body condition
- Eyes, ears and nose
- Teeth and gums
- Heart and lungs
- Skin, coat and lumps
- Belly and lymph nodes
- Joints and walking
- Parasite prevention review
What you leave with
A wellness exam should end with clear next steps, not a stack of brochures. Before you leave the room you will have the four things below, and a person to call if a question comes up on the drive home.
A written summary
Findings in plain words, emailed the same day, with anything that needs watching marked clearly.
A prevention plan
Vaccines, parasite prevention and screening tests that suit your pet's age and lifestyle, each with a reason.
The next visit booked
We schedule the next exam before you go, and send a text reminder a week ahead.
A way to ask
Questions between visits go to the nursing team by phone or email at no extra charge.
Questions owners ask about wellness exams
These come up at almost every visit. If yours is not here, ask the front desk or bring it to the exam. See also our wellness plans, which spread the cost of yearly care across monthly payments.
