Even if your pet seems healthy, the fact is that dogs and cats instinctively hide symptoms of illness and injury–so those signals are easy to miss. There are also some life-threatening conditions that have no symptoms at all until they are very advanced. This is why we highly recommend annual exams and health screenings for all adult pets.

At a wellness exam, our veterinarian will assess your pet’s physical health from nose to tail and perform a diagnostic work-up, which includes blood, fecal, and urine screenings.

One important aspect of this exam will be a dental check-up. Most pets over the age of three have some evidence of periodontal (dental) disease and left untreated, it can eventually cause serious and painful health problems for your pet. At Hayward Veterinary Hospital we suggest to our clients that all pets have regular dental exams and anesthetic cleanings.