What Is an Annual Examination and Why Is It So Important for Your Pet?
An annual examination is a routine wellness check designed to keep your pet as healthy as possible. Unlike visits that happen when your pet is sick, annual exams help detect health issues early, support preventative care, and ensure your pet enjoys the longest, happiest life possible.
These visits may also be called a check-up, physical, or wellness exam—but the goal is always the same: protect your pet’s health before problems occur.
Regular wellness exams help detect health issues early and keep your pet feeling their best.
How Often Should My Pet Be Examined?
The frequency of examinations depends on your pet’s age and overall health:
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Puppies & Kittens: Monthly visits
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Adult Pets: Twice a year
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Senior & Geriatric Pets: Three times per year
Because pets age much faster than people, yearly changes in their bodies can be equivalent to four to fifteen human years—especially in the first few years of life. Large-breed dogs also age faster than small breeds, making regular exams even more important.
Dr. Steffen will recommend the ideal schedule for your pet based on their breed, lifestyle, and current health status.
What Happens During an Annual Exam?
During your visit, Dr. Steffen will ask questions about your pet’s:
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Diet and eating habits
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Water intake
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Exercise routine
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Behavior
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Bathroom habits
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Breathing patterns
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Lifestyle and environment
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General well-being
She may also ask you to complete a canine or feline assessment form to help create the most accurate health profile for your pet.
The Physical Examination
Many parts of the exam are performed so gently and naturally that you may not even notice them happening. Dr. Steffen evaluates your pet’s:
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Posture and gait
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Alertness and responsiveness
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Body condition and weight
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Muscle tone
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Coat and skin
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Eyes, ears, and face
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Mouth, teeth, and gums
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Heart rate and rhythm
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Lung sounds
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Lymph nodes
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Legs, paws, and nails
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Abdomen and internal organs
This nose-to-tail evaluation allows her to identify early signs of illness—often long before your pet shows symptoms.
Why Additional Testing Matters
Fecal Testing
A fresh stool sample is typically recommended before your visit. This allows a laboratory to screen for intestinal parasites. Because many parasites shed intermittently, this may be repeated at intervals during the year.
Heartworm Screening
Depending on your pet’s lifestyle, Dr. Steffen may recommend regular heartworm testing to ensure early detection.
Wellness Bloodwork & Other Screening Tests
Wellness testing is a crucial part of preventative care. Common tests include:
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Complete Blood Count (CBC)
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Biochemistry Panel
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Urinalysis
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Thyroid Levels
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Vitamin Level Testing (Dr. Steffen’s preferred addition!)
Younger pets may only need minimal screening. Middle-aged and senior pets benefit from more comprehensive testing, which may include:
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Chest or abdominal radiographs
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Joint or skeletal imaging
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Additional age-specific tests
Early detection can prevent irreversible damage, improve treatment outcomes, and often reduce long-term costs.
Cats: The Hidden Risk Group
Cats are masters at hiding illness, and despite being the #1 household pet, only 35–40% are seen annually by a veterinarian. This means many conditions go unnoticed until they are advanced.
Annual wellness exams (or bi-annual exams for older cats) help detect:
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Kidney disease
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Thyroid disorders
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Dental disease
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Heart disease
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Arthritis
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Diabetes
Early intervention dramatically improves long-term health and comfort.
How You Can Prepare for the Visit
Before your appointment, it’s helpful to gather:
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A fresh urine or fecal sample if recommended
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The brand and type of food your pet eats
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Information about treats, supplements, and water source
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Notes about any changes you’ve noticed
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Your completed canine or feline assessment form
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Your cat/dog dosha nutrition quiz, if applicable
These details help Dr. Steffen understand your pet’s full health picture and make the most accurate recommendations.
Early Detection = Longer, Healthier Lives
Pets cannot tell us when something is wrong. By detecting issues early—often before symptoms appear—we can:
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Prevent irreversible damage
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Improve treatment success rates
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Reduce overall medical costs
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Improve your pet’s quality of life
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Help your pet live longer and healthier
This is why annual (or bi-annual for seniors) examinations are essential.
✨ December Wellness Special ✨
All month long, we’re offering a special discount on annual wellness exams and preventative bloodwork panels.
This is a perfect opportunity to check in on your pet’s health, catch early changes, and prepare for a healthy, happy start to the new year.
Call our office (513) 999-2262 or schedule online to reserve your spot—December appointments fill quickly!
