Animals are such important parts of our lives. We know you want to do what is best for your pet to keep him healthy. Unfortunately your pet cannot tell you how he feels and pets hide their pain as a survival instinct from when they were wild animals. He also ages more rapidly than you do. A year in your pet's life can be equivalent to 5-7 years of human life. A routine physical examination is essential to making his life more healthy and happy.

A thorough physical exam assesses all parts of your pet's body. When he is healthy this gives the veterinarian a baseline against which to assess any future changes. It will help your doctor determine if further tests might be warranted to find out what those changes mean. Early changes to any of your pet's systems can indicate problems. Often, many painful conditions do not become obvious until they are in a seriously advanced stage. The quicker health issues are found the more likely he will have a chance at a longer, healthier life.

Because pets are notorious for hiding symptoms of disease and illness, it doesn't make sense to bring them to the veterinarian only after they begin to show signs of sickness. Chances are they have been sick for quite some time. We urge you to continue to maintain your companion's health and bring him in for regular physical exams and vaccines.

Routine blood panels are recommended as your pet ages. These panels can show changes in him that cannot be found on physical exam. Even small changes in blood values can catch problems before they blossom into larger issues. Early detection of diabetes, kidney and liver disease, as well as a metabolic or hormonal change is possible with blood screening. Heartworm, Lyme disease, Ehrlichia and Anaplasmosis are only detectable by a blood test, which we recommend be done every year for all adult dogs.

Another important reason for yearly exams is to keep the valid Doctor/Client/Patient relationship. Yearly exams help meet the requirement that a veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animal to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal. This means that the veterinarian has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal by virtue of an examination of the animal. For you, the client, this means that the doctor can dispense medications, parasite control and advice to you throughout the year. If there is no valid relationship, a licensed Veterinarian cannot dispense medication to the client, pursuant to Maine Board of Pharmacy Laws. Medications include parasite prevention, pain control, and those for chronic illnesses.

Having a relationship with your veterinarian is important to the overall health of your pet. Annual exams can prevent small health issues from becoming complicated cases by catching them early. You will have easier access to a Veterinarian's expertise if they have consistent contact with you and your pet. Your Veterinarian should be your pet's best non-family friend.

Portions of this article were taken from these sources:

Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics of the AVMA http://www.avma.org/issues/policy/ethics.asp#III

Maine Board of Veterinary Medicine, Minutes of Sept 4, 2002 Board Meeting