Annual Health Check:Mittagong Veterinary Hospital and Clinic

Your pet deserves a special day every year. What happens at an annual health check?

We all know how important staying healthy is to a long and satisfying life – for both the two-legged and four-legged members of the family. Have a look further at our Full Services tab on our main page and Health Checks. But our furry family members age differently to humans, so it’s even more important for them to have a check-up every year. Once a year for a dog or cat is the same as once every five years or so for us! A quick visit to Mittagong Vet Hospital and Clinic, on one special day each year will help make sure your pet will still be around for many more days to come.

So when you get your next reminder, don’t put it off.

Make an appointment to give your pet the special day he or she deserves each year. We assess your pet’s health annually, during their annual vaccination, at no extra cost to the consultation. Regular health checks can help the Veterinarian to identify any early signs of health issues. Finding problems early in your pet increases the chance for effective treatment.

Whenever you visit our hospital, we’ll ask you to weigh your pet at our weighing station. We’ll record their weight at the time in their record. This is important as our Veterinarian Dr Keith, will be able to determine if there may be any presenting health issues.

Dr Keith will:

• Check for early signs of disease
• Make sure teeth, skin, eyes and ears are healthy
• Update life-saving vaccinations
• Keep an eye out for problems as your pet gets older

Doesn’t my pet need to have vaccinations each year as well?

Some pets will need to have a vaccination each year. However, we’re learning more all the time about treating our furry friends, and the latest research shows that some older pets may only need to be vaccinated against certain diseases every three years to be protected. At Mittagong Veterinary Hospital we will talk to you about what’s best for your individual pet.

What will it cost?

Annual health checks are usually quite quick and inexpensive. You should ask for a cost estimate when you call to make the appointment. If you have pet insurance, your policy may cover some cost. If Dr Keith finds a problem with your pet’s health, the visit might become more expensive. But finding problems early will save time and money in the long run, and it might even save your pet’s life.

What else do I need to do to keep my pet happy and healthy?

As well as an annual check up, there are just a few basic things you need to do to make sure your cat or dog stays well.

• Feed them a balanced diet - at Mittagong Veterinary Hospital we offer advise and we carry prescription  diets
• Make sure they get plenty of exercise If you’re not around to keep them company, make sure there are lots of things to play with to stop them from getting bored
• Give them lots of love and affection
• be aware of local dangers such as ticks, snakes, heartworm, fleas and treat accordingly
• vaccinations as recommended by Mittagong Veterinary Hospital

Adapted from - Australian Veterinary Association.