Routine Pet Wellness Exam in Murrieta

Here is what we do during a pet health exam at Hot Springs Animal Hospital.

Medical history review and lifestyle check

• We ask about eating, drinking, energy, bathroom habits, and any changes you noticed.
• We review past problems, current medicines, and what your pet does day to day.

Nose-to-tail physical exam

• Eyes: redness, cloudiness, discharge
• Ears: smell, wax, irritation
• Mouth: teeth and gums
• Skin and coat: itching, bumps, dry spots
• Weight and body condition: weight changes can be an early clue
• Heart and lungs: listening for changes
• Abdomen: gentle belly check
• Mobility: joints, movement, stiffness

Vaccination review and vaccines if due

• We review records and talk about your pet’s risk based on age and lifestyle.
• If shots are due, we can do a vaccines and wellness exam in the same visit.

Parasite screening and prevention recommendations

• We talk about fleas, ticks, worms, and other parasites.
• We recommend prevention based on your pet’s routine and local risk.

Optional in-house diagnostics (when recommended)

• Bloodwork: helps check internal organs before your pet looks sick.
• Urinalysis: a urine test that can spot early changes and hydration issues.
• Fecal testing: checks for intestinal parasites.
• These tests are often used to set a “normal baseline,” so future changes are easier to catch.

Care plan with nutrition and behavior basics

• We talk about food, weight goals, and simple daily habits.
• If you have behavior concerns, bring them up. Sometimes behavior changes are linked to health.

Our expertise is not limited to only pet wellness examinations. We can help with:

• Pet Vaccination
• Pet Parasite Prevention
• Puppy and Kitten Care

The right schedule depends on age and how quickly health can change.

Puppies and kittens: every 3 to 4 weeks during the first 16 weeks

• These visits help us track growth, check for common early issues (parasites, tummy upset, ear or skin problems), and keep the starter vaccine series on time.
• They also give you a chance to ask quick questions about food, teething, chewing, and training.

Adult pets: at least once a year

• Yearly exams let us compare today’s weight, teeth, skin, and heart and lung sounds to last year, so we can spot slow changes early.
• It is also the best time to confirm what vaccines and parasite prevention your pet actually needs based on lifestyle.

Senior pets and pets with chronic conditions: every 6 months

• Older pets can change fast. Twice-yearly exams help us catch early arthritis pain, weight loss or gain, and organ changes before they turn into bigger problems.

This matches the routine schedule laid down by our pet wellness center in Murrieta for vet visits.

Pets cannot tell you when something feels “a little off,” and many will hide pain. A yearly pet health checkup helps catch small problems early, when they are usually easier and less costly to handle. It also lets us track your pet over time, so we can spot changes in weight, teeth, skin, joints, heart, or breathing sooner.

Fast and Easy Visit: What to Expect

Here is how a typical pet wellness exam visit goes:

• Arrive 10 minutes early: This gives you time to check in without rushing your pet.
• Bring prior vaccine records: If you have records from another clinic, bring them or have them sent over.
• Technician intake: We get weight and basic notes, and we ask what you have noticed at home.
• Veterinarian exam: Your vet completes the nose-to-tail exam and talks you through what they find.
• Diagnostics if recommended: If your vet suggests bloodwork, urinalysis, or fecal testing, we explain what it checks and why it may help.
• Brief review and plan: You leave knowing what to do next, what to watch at home, and when to come back.
• Schedule the next visit: We help you plan the next kitten/puppy wellness exam visit (and even a senior pet wellness exam) based on your pet’s age and needs.