Pet Wellness Exams in Monona and Madison
Routine wellness exams are one of the most important ways to keep your pet healthy for life. At Four Lakes Veterinary Clinic, we provide comprehensive annual wellness exams for dogs and cats in Monona and Madison, helping our Fear Free veterinary team catch health concerns early and build a preventive care plan that fits your pet’s age and lifestyle.
What Happens During a Wellness Exam?
Pets are experts at hiding illness, so a hands-on exam often reveals problems long before you notice symptoms. During each visit, our veterinarians perform a thorough nose-to-tail evaluation, including:
- Checking the teeth and gums for signs of dental disease
- Examining the eyes, ears, skin, and coat for infections and allergies
- Listening to the heart and lungs
- Feeling the abdomen for enlarged organs and checking for lumps or bumps
- Evaluating joints and mobility for early signs of arthritis
- Monitoring body weight and body condition
Preventive Screenings
Screening tests are a key part of your pet’s yearly visit. We recommend fecal testing to check for intestinal parasites and an annual heartworm and tick-borne disease test for dogs to screen for heartworm disease and Lyme disease. Routine bloodwork through our laboratory testing establishes baseline values and helps detect conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism before symptoms appear.
Wellness Care for Every Life Stage
Puppies and kittens need a series of visits for vaccines, deworming, and growth checks, along with a conversation about microchipping and spay or neuter surgery. Adult pets generally need one wellness exam a year, while senior pets often benefit from visits every six months, since health can change quickly as pets age. Curious about your mixed-breed dog’s inherited risks? Ask about DNA testing.
Fear Free Visits and Savings
As Wisconsin’s first Fear Free Certified practice, we use gentle handling, treats, and calm exam rooms to make wellness visits easier on your pet. Enrolling in our Free Vaccines for Life program covers your pet’s core vaccines for life when they come in for their yearly wellness exam. If your pet has fear or anxiety at the vet, let us know so we can tailor their visit, and learn about support for anxiety and behavior problems.
Pet Wellness Exam FAQs
What is a pet wellness exam?
A wellness exam is a routine veterinary checkup that evaluates your pet’s overall health and helps detect medical problems early, even when your pet seems healthy.
How often should my pet have a wellness exam?
Most adult pets should have a wellness exam once a year. Senior pets and pets with chronic conditions often benefit from exams every six months.
What does the veterinarian check during a wellness exam?
We evaluate the eyes, ears, teeth, skin, heart, lungs, abdomen, joints, weight, and body condition, and we check for lumps or other changes.
Why are fecal tests recommended at wellness visits?
Fecal tests detect intestinal parasites that may not cause obvious symptoms, some of which can also spread to people.
Why does my healthy pet need bloodwork?
Baseline bloodwork helps us monitor organ function and detect early changes, such as kidney disease or diabetes, before symptoms develop.
Do indoor pets still need annual wellness exams?
Yes. Indoor pets can still develop dental disease, weight problems, and internal illnesses that are best caught through routine exams.
Is a wellness exam required for the Free Vaccines for Life program?
Yes. Pets enrolled in Free Vaccines for Life need a yearly wellness exam at our clinic to stay enrolled and receive their core vaccines for free.
Schedule Your Pet’s Wellness Exam
Preventive care is the best gift you can give your pet. Call Four Lakes Veterinary Clinic at (608) 819-6750 or request an appointment online for a wellness exam in Monona and Madison.