- A wellness exam covers 10+ body systems in 15–20 minutes — weight, eyes, ears, teeth, heart, lungs, abdomen, skin, lymph nodes, joints, and neurological function. It's the one appointment that looks at everything.
- Blood work is part of the exam for adult and senior pets — CBC + chemistry annually for adults, every 6 months for seniors (7+ dogs, 10+ cats). Thyroid screening starts at 7 for cats.
- What you bring matters as much as what the vet finds — a list of behavior changes, appetite shifts, and mobility observations gives your vet information they can't get from the physical exam alone.
What does a vet actually check during a wellness exam?
A thorough wellness exam follows a head-to-tail pattern. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends annual wellness exams for adult pets and twice-yearly exams for seniors. Here's what your vet is evaluating:
| Body system | What the vet checks | What they're looking for |
|---|---|---|
| Weight and body condition | Scale weight + body condition score (1–9 scale) | Weight gain/loss trends; obesity risk (over 50% of US dogs and cats are overweight per APOP data) |
| Eyes | Pupil response, lens clarity, retinal exam, tear production | Cataracts, glaucoma, dry eye, nuclear sclerosis (normal aging change) |
| Ears | Otoscope exam of both ear canals | Infection, yeast overgrowth, ear mites, polyps, masses |
| Teeth and gums | Visual exam of all visible teeth and gingival tissue | Dental disease (periodontal disease affects 80%+ of pets over 3), fractured teeth, oral masses |
| Heart and lungs | Stethoscope auscultation — rate, rhythm, lung sounds | Heart murmurs, arrhythmias, abnormal lung sounds (crackles, wheezes) |
| Abdomen | Palpation of liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder, intestines | Organ enlargement, masses, pain response, fluid accumulation |
| Skin and coat | Visual and tactile exam; any lumps palpated and measured | Parasites, hot spots, allergic dermatitis, masses (all lumps should be measured and mapped) |
| Lymph nodes | Palpation of submandibular, prescapular, and popliteal nodes | Enlargement can indicate infection, inflammation, or lymphoma |
| Joints and musculoskeletal | Range of motion, gait assessment, joint palpation | Arthritis, cruciate disease, luxating patella, hip dysplasia |
| Neurological (basic) | Proprioception, reflexes, cranial nerve assessment | Nerve function, vestibular disease, spinal issues |
What lab work should you expect?
Lab work turns the wellness exam from a snapshot into a trend line. Your vet isn't just checking whether numbers are "normal" — they're comparing this year's values to last year's to spot changes before they become problems.
For adult dogs and cats (1–6 years)
- Annual CBC + chemistry panel — baseline organ function, blood cell counts, proteins, electrolytes
- Fecal parasite screening — annual, more often for outdoor pets
- Heartworm test (dogs) — annual, even if on preventive
- Urinalysis — not always included annually, but valuable for establishing kidney baseline
For senior pets (dogs 7+, cats 10+)
- All of the above, plus:
- Thyroid screening — T4 for cats (hyperthyroidism) and dogs (hypothyroidism); recommended annually for seniors
- Blood pressure — especially cats with kidney disease or hyperthyroidism
- Twice-yearly blood work — senior pets can develop kidney disease, diabetes, or thyroid issues between annual visits
Talk to your vet about which tests make sense for your pet's age, breed, and risk factors. Your vet knows your pet's history and can recommend the right panel — this guide helps you understand what they're recommending and why.
What should you bring to the wellness exam?
Your vet needs two things from you that they can't get from the exam itself: your observations and your pet's history.
Before the visit, write down:
- Any behavior changes (appetite, energy, sleep patterns, temperament)
- Mobility observations (slower on stairs? reluctant to jump? limping after walks?)
- Changes in drinking, urination, or bowel habits
- Any new lumps, bumps, or skin changes you've noticed
- Questions you want to ask (about diet, supplements, preventives, dental cleaning)
Bring or share:
- Current vaccination record (if your vet doesn't already have it)
- Current medication and supplement list (name, dose, frequency)
- Records from any other vet your pet has seen since the last wellness visit
- If your vet has your pet's private Voocie address, they already have access to all of this — just confirm it's up to date
What documentation does the wellness exam produce?
A thorough wellness exam generates several documents that should all be in your pet's record:
- Visit summary or SOAP note — the vet's findings from the physical exam (learn how to read a SOAP note)
- Lab results — CBC, chemistry, thyroid, fecal, heartworm test reports
- Vaccination certificates — with lot numbers, manufacturer, expiration dates
- Updated weight and BCS — tracked over time, this shows trends
- Treatment recommendations — anything the vet suggests but doesn't do that day (dental cleaning, follow-up blood work, dietary changes)
The most common gap: the visit summary exists in the clinic's system but never makes it into the owner's record. If you switch vets, move, or end up at an emergency hospital, that gap can mean repeated tests, missed diagnoses, and wasted time.
The fix is simple: ask your vet to CC your pet's private Voocie address on the visit summary. The record files itself — automatically organized, always accessible, and ready for any vet who needs it.
How often should pets have wellness exams?
| Life stage | Age | Recommended frequency | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy/kitten | 0–1 year | Every 3–4 weeks until 16 weeks, then at 6 and 12 months | Vaccine series, deworming, growth monitoring, spay/neuter planning |
| Adult | 1–6 years (dogs), 1–10 years (cats) | Annually | Baseline labs, vaccine boosters, dental assessment, weight management |
| Senior | 7+ years (dogs), 10+ years (cats) | Every 6 months | Chronic disease screening (kidney, thyroid, diabetes, cancer); medication monitoring |
| Geriatric / chronic illness | Any age with ongoing condition | Per vet recommendation (often quarterly) | Treatment monitoring, dose adjustments, quality-of-life assessment |
FAQ
What happens at a pet wellness exam?
Your vet performs a head-to-tail physical exam covering 10+ body systems: weight and body condition, eyes, ears, teeth and gums, heart and lungs, abdomen, skin and coat, lymph nodes, joints, and basic neurological function. For adult and senior pets, blood work (CBC, chemistry, thyroid) and vaccine updates are typically part of the visit. The entire exam usually takes 15–20 minutes.
How much does a pet wellness exam cost?
A basic wellness exam typically costs $50–$100 depending on your location and practice. Blood work adds $100–$300 depending on the panel. Vaccines vary by type and region. Many practices offer wellness plans that bundle exams, labs, and preventives at a reduced annual cost. Talk to your vet about what's included and what's additional.
What questions should I ask at my pet's wellness exam?
Ask about: your pet's body condition score and ideal weight, whether their dental health needs professional cleaning this year, which vaccines are due and which can be skipped based on lifestyle risk, what lab work is recommended for their age, and any changes you should watch for at home. Bring your written list — it's easy to forget questions in the exam room.
Does my pet need blood work every year?
For adult pets, annual blood work establishes baseline organ function values that your vet uses to detect changes early. For senior pets (dogs 7+, cats 10+), the American Animal Hospital Association recommends blood work every 6 months. Even if results are "normal," trending values over time can reveal gradual changes that a single test wouldn't catch. Talk to your vet about the right schedule for your pet.
How do I make sure my pet's wellness exam records don't get lost?
Ask your vet to CC your pet's private Voocie address on the visit summary and lab results. When the clinic emails records to that address, they're automatically organized in your pet's health story — accessible to you, shareable with any vet, and never lost in a portal you'll forget to check. No app for the clinic to learn, no special software required.