WELLNESS EXAMS
AND VACCINATIONS

Keep Your Pet Healthy for Life

Regular wellness exams are one of the best ways to catch health problems early, when they are easier and less expensive to treat.
At South Side Animal Hospital in south Edmonton, we recommend yearly check-ups for adult pets and twice-yearly exams for senior companions over age seven. These appointments give us a chance to get to know your pet, track changes over time, and answer your questions.

What Happens During a Wellness Exam?

Our veterinarians perform a complete nose-to-tail examination. We look at:
• Eyes for signs of cataracts, glaucoma, or inflammation
• Ears for infection, mites, or debris
• Mouth and teeth for tartar buildup, gingivitis, or painful lesions
• Skin and coat for lumps, bumps, parasites, or irritation
• Heart and lungs with a stethoscope to detect murmurs or abnormal breathing
• Abdomen by gentle palpation to feel for organ abnormalities
• Joints and mobility to identify arthritis or pain
• Weight and body condition to ensure your pet stays at a healthy size
• Behavior patterns to catch early signs of illness or cognitive changes

We take time to discuss your pet’s diet, exercise, dental care, and any concerns you have noticed at home.

Vaccinations Tailored to Your Pet's Lifestyle

Not every pet needs every vaccine. We create vaccination plans based on your individual pet’s risk factors.
We consider:
• Where your pet lives and travels
• Whether your pet goes to grooming, daycare, or boarding facilities
• How much time your pet spends outdoors
• Whether your pet interacts with other animals
• Your pet’s age and overall health
Core vaccines protect against serious, life-threatening diseases like rabies, distemper, and parvovirus.

Lifestyle vaccines may be recommended based on exposure risk. These include vaccines for kennel cough, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and feline leukemia.
Many vaccinations can now be given every three years instead of annually. We follow the latest guidelines from the American Animal Hospital Association and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association to avoid over-vaccination while keeping your pet protected.

Blood and Urine Screening

Wellness exams often include lab testing to detect disease before symptoms appear. This is especially important as pets age.
Annual screening tests can identify:
• Kidney disease
• Liver problems
• Diabetes
• Thyroid disorders
• Anemia
• Urinary tract infections
• Early cancer markers

Early detection means early treatment. Many conditions are manageable when caught in the beginning stages.

Puppies and Kittens

Young pets need a series of vaccines to build strong immunity. We typically see puppies and kittens every 3 to 4 weeks starting around 6 to 8 weeks of age.

These early visits also give us a chance to discuss:
• Nutrition and feeding schedules
• Housetraining and litter box habits
• Socialization and behavior
• Spay and neuter timing
• Parasite prevention (fleas, ticks, heartworm, intestinal worms)

We want to set you and your new companion up for a long, healthy life together.

Exotic Companion Wellness Exams

Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and other small mammals benefit from regular wellness exams just like dogs and cats.
Small mammals are prey animals who naturally hide signs of illness. By the time you notice something is wrong, the problem may be advanced. Regular exams help us catch issues early. We check your exotic pet’s:

• Teeth (many small mammals have continuously growing teeth that can develop painful problems)
• Weight and body condition
• Skin and fur quality
• Eyes and ears
• Heart and lung sounds
• Abdomen
• Overall activity level and behavior

We also discuss proper diet, housing, enrichment, and preventive care specific to your small friend’s species.