Skip to content Wellness exams are the most important scheduled health appointments your dog or cat will have each year. At Lougheed Animal Hospital in Mission, BC, we tailor every exam to your pet’s age and life stage, from the first puppy or kitten visits through adult annual check-ups and more frequent monitoring for senior pets. Early detection during a routine exam is consistently associated with better outcomes and simpler care. Call (604) 826-7066 to book your pet’s next wellness visit.
Puppy wellness exams are scheduled more frequently in the first year to support a critical period of development and to keep vaccinations on schedule. At each puppy visit, we perform a full physical assessment, update vaccines according to our age-based protocol, discuss parasite prevention, and address questions about nutrition, house training, and socialization. We also check for developmental concerns such as bite alignment, hernias, and cryptorchidism. Early puppy visits help establish a positive relationship with veterinary care and set the foundation for a healthy adult dog. We will walk you through everything to expect during the first year.
Kitten wellness exams during the first year focus on core vaccinations, parasite prevention, FeLV and FIV testing, and developmental monitoring. We assess your kitten’s weight, growth, bite alignment, and overall health at each visit. Nutrition guidance specific to kittens, litter box setup, and behavioral development are all discussed at early kitten appointments. We also introduce gentle handling and cooperative care techniques to help your kitten build confidence with veterinary visits. The first year of kitten care builds the relationship between your cat and our team that will last through their lifetime.
Annual wellness exams for adult dogs and cats include a full physical assessment from nose to tail, an updated vaccine review, parasite prevention discussion, and an oral health assessment. We check body condition score, joint mobility, and organ health, and we run baseline bloodwork as appropriate. For pets with known health conditions, wellness exams provide an opportunity to review how the current management plan is working and make adjustments. Annual exams are the most consistent way to catch gradual changes in health that might otherwise go unnoticed between visits, since pets age significantly faster than people.
Senior dogs and cats, generally considered to be seven years and older depending on species and size, benefit from twice-yearly wellness exams. Aging pets are more susceptible to conditions including kidney disease, heart disease, arthritis, dental disease, and hormonal changes. Twice-yearly exams allow us to monitor these systems more closely and catch changes earlier, when management options are most effective. Senior wellness exams include all the elements of an adult exam with additional focus on mobility, organ function through bloodwork, and quality-of-life discussion. We will discuss what to watch for at home between visits and when to call us.
Prevention is always better than a health crisis. Call Lougheed Animal Hospital at (604) 826-7066 or book online to schedule your pet’s next wellness exam in Mission, BC.
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Thank you for trusting us with your pet’s health!
We are closed on Statutory Holidays.
For after-hours emergencies, contact Canada West Veterinary Specialists — 604-473-4882.
