Wellness exams help establish a baseline for your cat's health and can reveal any new changes or issues that may require follow-up treatments. If your cat is found to be healthy, this information sets a foundation for future exams. However, if the exam reveals a new condition, such as a heart murmur or growth, early detection and treatment can help prevent more serious health problems from developing. Wellness exams are essential for maintaining your cat's overall well-being and identifying potential issues before they become severe.

Cat wellness exams typically take about 30 minutes. This allows time for the veterinarian to address your questions, perform a complete exam on your cat, and collect any necessary samples or run diagnostics. It also provides time for treatments if needed.

During your cat's wellness exam, ask about any major concerns or changes you've noticed since their last visit, such as changes in behavior, eating habits, drinking habits, or litter box use. If there are any changes in how your cat interacts with you or other pets in the home, mention this as well. Discussing these topics with your veterinarian will help them better understand and address your cat's health needs.

Preparing your cat for a wellness appointment starts at home. When cats come into the clinic, it can be stressful for them to be in a new environment with new smells, sounds, and people that they’re not quite prepared for. So reducing stress starts at home on the morning of the appointment. To prepare your cat for a wellness appointment, start by creating a comfortable and stress-free carrier experience for them. Leave the carrier out in an area where your cat can access it easily, and make it cozy with blankets so they can sleep in there like a normal bed. You can also feed your cat in the carrier and give them treats to create positive associations with it. This will make the transition to the vet clinic smoother and less stressful for your cat.

Unless there are specific dietary restrictions based on the procedure, it's best to keep your dog on the same food they are accustomed to. If you have any other questions regarding your dog's recovery after anesthesia, please contact your veterinarian.

Look for poor appetite, vomiting, and breathing difficulties. However, most of the time, post-anesthesia concerns are related to complications from the procedure performed while the dog was under anesthesia.

Make sure your dog is not around any slick surfaces or stairs if they are still a bit sedate or wobbly. Be cautious around pools to ensure they do not fall in. Overall, your dog should be in relatively good shape by the time they go home.

After an anesthetic procedure, your dog may be a little groggy or off. Their eyes might look more red, and they might not be completely back to normal. However, your dog will always be safe enough for home care when they are dismissed from the animal hospital.

From an anesthesia standpoint, dogs usually return to normal within 24 to 48 hours.