 As pet lovers, many of us would do anything for our four-legged family members—from giving up half the bed to bringing home their favorite food and toys. But ensuring our animals’ well-being goes beyond treats and belly rubs. Even if your pet seems perfectly healthy, annual wellness exams shouldn’t be skipped! Here’s why a yearly visit to the vet is one of the best things you can do for your pet.
#1: Hands-On Time With A Veterinarian Animals can be experts at hiding discomfort or illness. Plus, unlike us, they can’t just say when something's wrong. During annual wellness exams, our veterinarians perform a full physical assessment—everything from their heart and lungs to their joints and skin. This hands-on time with patients is an incredibly important health screening tool. When our doctors palpate your pet’s belly, take their pulse, or look in their ears, eyes, and mouth, they’re watching your pet’s reactions and looking for subtle changes that could otherwise go unnoticed. Early disease detection can have a huge positive impact on available treatments and on the ultimate outcome! #2: Prevention Is Better Than Cure One of the biggest benefits of wellness exams is the preventive care aspect. During your pet’s annual visit, we’ll update vaccinations, discuss parasite control (yes, fleas, ticks, and heartworm are still a year-round concern in Beaverton!), and talk about their overall lifestyle, including nutrition and exercise. For younger pets, yearly wellness exams ensure they stay protected as they grow. For senior pets, prevention is about maintaining their quality of life as they age. In both cases, preventing a problem is always easier—and less stressful for both you and your pet—than treating it after the fact. #3: Tailored Health Plans You already know your pet is one-of-a-kind, but did you know each pet also has unique healthcare needs? When your pet comes in for their annual wellness exam, we take the time to get to know them and create a health plan tailored to their specific needs. Is your cat starting to look a little extra “fluffy” around the middle? We can rule out health-related causes of weight gain and recommend a weight management plan. Is your dog’s breed prone to hip dysplasia? We’ll keep an eye on their mobility and suggest exercises to keep their joints healthy. It’s more than just vaccinations—this exam is your chance to chat with us about behavior changes, dietary concerns, or anything else that might be on your mind! It’s our mission to make sure your pet’s care is as personalized as possible so they thrive at every stage of life. #4: Dental Health Matters Dental disease is one of the most common issues we see in pets. And it doesn’t just cause bad breath. It can lead to painful abscesses, gum infection, tooth loss, and even more serious issues like heart, liver, or kidney disease if left untreated. During your pet’s annual wellness visit, a veterinarian will look in their mouth for signs of gum disease, plaque buildup, and chipped or fractured teeth. They’ll also check for cysts, tumors, or any other potentially worrisome growths. Even if you’ve been on top of brushing their teeth and giving dental treats, only a trained veterinarian can thoroughly evaluate your pet’s oral health. If we spot anything concerning, we’ll recommend a professional cleaning or give you tips to improve their dental routine at home. Remember: happy mouth, happy pet! #5: Prescription Medication Management Just like us, our pets’ health needs can change over time. During an annual wellness exam, your pet’s doctor can monitor the effectiveness of their current medications, adjust doses, and explore alternative or new treatments available. This is particularly important for pets with chronic conditions like arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease, where long-term medication may be required. Your veterinarian may also recommend routine lab work to ensure your pet’s medications aren’t negatively impacting them. This proactive approach helps prevent complications, such as drug interactions or harmful side effects, ensuring that your pet receives the safest and most effective treatment. #6: Boosting Confidence & Building A Bond Annual exams don’t have to be a big, stressful event! In fact, we’re all about making these visits as stress-free as possible (for you AND your furry friends). At Mountainside Veterinary Hospital, we get to know patients on a personal level, doing everything we can to help them feel comfortable as soon as they step through the door. Annual wellness exams help build a foundation of trust. This bond between our team and your pets is especially important if they ever need to see us for an urgent health concern. Keep Your Pet’s Health on Track with Annual Wellness Exams We believe that regular checkups are the cornerstone of good pet care. Whether your pet is a rambunctious puppy, a mischievous cat, or a senior dog who prefers long naps over long walks, annual wellness exams help keep them feeling their best. Our experienced team is here to support you and your pet throughout their entire life. So, if it’s been a while since your furry companion has had a checkup, now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment. Together, we can help make sure your pet enjoys a long, healthy, and happy life by your side.  According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), over 45 million pets in the United States live with or experience chronic pain. That’s 40% of pet dogs and 50% of pet cats! While acute pain can be obvious and distressing, signs of chronic pain can be subtle. In this blog, we’ll spotlight some common pain symptoms in pets and give you the tools to recognize and manage your pet’s condition. Understanding Acute Vs. Chronic Pain Our pets feel pain just like we do! And, just like ours, their pain comes in many different forms. Acute pain is sudden and generally related to a specific event or injury. For example, when you stub your toe, get stung by a bee, or sprain an ankle, you experience acute pain. Importantly, acute pain goes away when the injury heals or is treated. On the other hand, chronic pain lasts for months or even years. It can be hard to recognize because it comes and goes or varies in severity from day to day. In pets, the most common cause of chronic pain is osteoarthritis. Because our pets can’t tell us they’re in pain, chronic pain often gets written off as “just getting old” or “starting to slow down.” Recognizing Signs of Chronic Pain Unlike people, animals often hide their pain. This can make it difficult for us to know when something is wrong. That’s why it’s so important for us, as their caretakers, to stay tuned in to their behavior and recognize changes in their behavior. A few common signs of chronic pain include: Changes in Behavior or Activity Level Something might be up if your usually playful pup suddenly prefers to lay around! Pets experiencing chronic pain tend to play and jump less, are hesitant to walk on certain surfaces, and may have difficulty standing after lying down. They might also hesitate when going up and down stairs or jumping onto and off furniture. If you notice your height-loving cats are suddenly wary of climbing to the top of the cat tower, it’s a good sign they’re experiencing pain. Pets in pain may also exhibit behavioral changes. For example, your cuddly cat may suddenly avoid you at nap time, or your affectionate dog could stop asking for belly rubs. Pets experiencing persistent pain may become more withdrawn, irritable, or even aggressive. Changes in Appetite If your pet loses interest in food or water, you should always call your vet! A loss of appetite can signal a serious medical condition. In terms of pain, a decreased appetite could mean dental pain or more general discomfort. During a physical exam, your veterinarian can look at your pet's mouth to help rule out dental disease as a cause of appetite loss. Changes in Potty Habits For cats, difficulty using the litter box or reluctance to jump in and out of it can be a sign of pain. Similarly, dogs might hesitate or struggle to go outside or to assume the right “potty” posture. Any change in bathroom habits or reluctance to engage in normal activities warrants attention. Changes in Grooming Behavior Chronic pain can cause animals to either overgroom or stop grooming altogether. Contact your veterinarian if you notice your pet excessively licking, chewing, or gnawing at a specific part of the body. Chewing on one limb could be a sign of joint pain from osteoarthritis while overgrooming the belly could indicate GI pain. Alternatively, pets may stop grooming because it’s difficult or painful. For example, a cat that is normally fastidious about grooming might suddenly have a tough time twisting to reach those hard-to-groom places. Vocalization, Whining, or Anxiety Just like in humans, living with chronic pain can cause anxiety and depression in our companion animals. Signs of anxiety include more panting, restlessness, or irritability. You may also notice your pet wining or vocalizing more often, especially when you touch or pick them up. Managing Chronic Pain in Pets At Mountainside, we focus on managing pain symptoms and slowing the progression of chronic disease to help pets live happier and healthier lives. Your pet’s tailored treatment plan will include comprehensive diagnostics to find the underlying cause of pain so we can recommend an appropriate treatment plan. When creating a management plan, we’ll consider your pet’s breed, age, and lifestyle. Treatments may include pain management medications, physical therapy, or changes in diet and lifestyle to improve your pet’s quality of life. Working Together to Relieve Pain You can help keep your furry friend comfortable for the long haul by learning to recognize subtle signs of chronic pain. If you’ve noticed any of these changes in your pet’s behavior, contact the team at Mountainside to discuss your options! |
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Mountainside Veterinary Hospital
www.mountainsidevets.com [email protected] Office: (971) 405 - 1111 Fax: (503) 498 - 5322 |
Hospital Location
15000 SW Barrows Rd. Ste. 101, Beaverton, OR 97007
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Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 8:00a - 6:00p
Saturday: 8:00a - 4:00p Give us a call today to schedule your appointment! (971) 405-1111 
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