You see your pet every day, and you know their habits, moods, and quirks better than anyone. So when they seem healthy—eating normally, playing, and acting like themselves—it’s easy to assume everything’s fine. But pets are experts at hiding illness and discomfort. That’s why regular wellness exams are such an important part of preventive care. At Pet Care on Highland, we believe in catching problems early—before they turn into something serious.
A wellness exam is much more than a routine checkup. It’s a thorough evaluation of your pet’s overall health. Our veterinarians assess your pet from nose to tail—listening to the heart and lungs, checking teeth and gums, feeling for lumps or pain, examining the coat and skin, and testing reflexes and joint movement. It’s a full-body scan that gives us valuable insight into how your pet is doing internally and externally.
Even more importantly, these visits allow us to catch early signs of illness that may not yet be obvious. Conditions like kidney disease, liver problems, or diabetes often don’t show symptoms until they’ve progressed. But with regular bloodwork, urinalysis, and other diagnostic tools, we can spot changes in organ function and intervene before your pet feels sick.
Wellness exams are also a time to keep up with preventive care. We’ll review your pet’s vaccination schedule and ensure they’re protected against preventable diseases like rabies, distemper, and parvovirus. We’ll also make sure their flea, tick, and heartworm prevention is up to date and recommend any needed adjustments based on seasonal risks or lifestyle changes.
Nutrition and weight management are another focus during wellness visits. Obesity is a growing concern in pets and can lead to serious complications like joint pain, heart disease, and reduced lifespan. We’ll discuss your pet’s current diet, exercise habits, and body condition score—and if needed, help you make small adjustments that can have a big impact.
For pets entering their senior years, wellness exams become even more important. Aging pets are more prone to arthritis, dental disease, and organ decline, and they benefit from more frequent check-ins to keep them comfortable and mobile. We tailor every exam to your pet’s life stage, making sure their care plan evolves as they do.
We also use wellness visits to talk about behavior, lifestyle, and your observations at home. If your dog has become more anxious or your cat is suddenly avoiding the litter box, these changes might be behavioral—or they could signal a medical issue. We’re here to listen, support, and guide you with answers and solutions.
At Pet Care on Highland, we view wellness care as a partnership. You know your pet best—and we’re here to give you the tools, knowledge, and care to keep them healthy for the long run. Even when your pet appears healthy, wellness exams give you peace of mind and keep small issues from becoming major ones.
If it’s been over a year since your pet’s last checkup—or if you’re new to our clinic—schedule a wellness exam today at (863) 937-7914 or visit us at 222 West Highland Dr.,Lakeland, FL 33813. Let’s work together to ensure your pet’s best health, one visit at a time.
