What To Expect At A Vet Visit

Veterinarian Visit

As Pet owners, we want to get our Dogs the best care we can. We try to do our research and pick the best Veterinary Office that will do their best to prevent disease and keep our Fur Friend healthy and strong for as long as possible.

What to expect at a Vet visit? You should expect your Vet to review all of your Pets history, including any concerns you have and any medicines they take, as well as give them an in depth physical exam.

What Should I Expect During a Vet Office Visits?

Cost

Vet office visits can vary depending on why your Dog is being seen in the office. Most general Vets charge between $50-$75 for a basic visit (See “How Much Are Pet Visits?“).

Expected Services

Per Petmd, a Vet office visit should ALWAYS come with a full physical exam. This visit should also include the Vet taking a history of your Pet. The Vet should ask you several questions about your Pet (also see “What Vaccines Do Dogs Need?“).

Vet Question Examples:

  • What brings you in today?
  • Do you have any concerns about your Pet?
  • Has your Pet been Spayed/Neutered?
  • Is your Dog Microchipped?
  • What Dog Food does your Pet eat?
  • How are their bowel movements?
  • What is their exercise routine?
  • Do they take any medications? Vitamins?
  • What Heartworm medicine are you using?
  • What Flea/Tick medication are you using? Do you think it is working?
  • How do you care for their teeth? Brush, using Oral Cleansing Wipes, etc.

Follow Up or Brief Vet Office Visits

Follow up office visits should be less than a basic visit because the Vet is not doing an entire physical exam and your Pet is only being seen for a short time. Some reasons for these visits may be the following:

  • The Pet is well known to the Vet Office
  • The Pet has been seen within the last few weeks
  • There is an simple, isolated issue
  • Recurrent checks, like on chronic ear infections or lump checks

What Does A Dog Physical Exam Consist Of?

Weight and Behavior

Just like us, most Dog physical exams begin with taking the Dogs weight and vitals. Is your Dog on the heavy or thin side? Per Petmd, a Vet Technician will make a note if your dog is Bright, alert, and responsive (BAR) or depressed, quiet, and/ore unresponsive.

Head

Your Vet will check and note any areas of concern regarding your Dogs eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and teeth. They also may check for basic reflexes to be sure there are no neurological issues.

Skin and Coat

Your Vet will look at the condition of your Dogs Coat and skin. They will look for fleas, ticks, lumps, and/or bumps. Most Vets will check if your dog is hydrated enough by “tenting” the skin at the shoulders.

Chest

Your Vet will Listen to your Dogs heart and lungs. They will then cover your Dogs nose and mouth with their hands, so their breathing gets altered. They will then use their stethoscopes to listen to your Dogs heart beats, while feeling their pulse to make sure they synchronize. Usually this is only for 20-30 seconds, but some vets will do this for several minutes depending on how cooperative your Dog is being.

Spine, Muscle, and Joints

Your Vet will assess your Dogs muscle, how limbs and joints move, and each vertebra junction of their spine to feel any painful spots.

Abdomen

Your Vet will try to feel the size and texture of your Dogs organs and feel for any masses or abnormalities.

Lymph Nodes

Your Vet will check your Dogs neck, front of their shoulders, and behind their knees for any abnormalities.

Feces/Poop

Your Vet will ask for a sample of your Dogs feces/poop, so they can examine it for worms.

What To Bring During Vet Office Visit?

  • Forms your Vet asked you to fill out
  • All previous Vet records
  • All records from shelter or breeder
  • List of questions/concerns you have for Vet
  • List of Type of food and amount
  • List of Medicines and Vitamins you give and the amounts
  • List of Flea/Tick Medicine
  • List of Heartworm Medicine
  • Feces/Poop Sample
  • Leash and collar or harness
  • small treats for rewards
  • Toy for distraction

Related Articles That May Interest You:

*This article is for information purposes only and any health concerns should be discussed with your veterinarian.

References:

https://www.petmd.com/blogs/dailyvet/2009/september/28-4734

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