Wellness Exams
Just as you should be seeing your doctor regularly for a physical exam and check-up, your animals will benefit tremendously from regular veterinary visits, even if just for a "wellness exam". Often your veterinarian will combine routine procedures such as vaccinations, with an annual or biannual wellness exam.
Although your veterinarian may not put your horse on a scale and take its blood pressure, your veterinarian is often gaining valuable information just by looking at your horse. As an owner, you may not realize that your veterinarian is taking stock of your horse's body condition (too thin, too heavy or just right?), noting any significant changes in body weight or hair coat, looking for unusual lumps or bumps, noting any swelling or thickening in the joints or tendons, noting how the horse moves, and if it is showing any evidence of pain. Your veterinarian may check the heart rate, check for heart murmurs, listen to lung sounds, check GI sounds for any evidence of sand in the GI tract, and look for any other characteristics that are indicators of a more serious condition. Your veterinarian will also note the condition of the feet and can make recommendations regarding trimming or shoeing changes if indicated. Most veterinarians will answer any questions that you have about feed and nutritional recommendations, deworming schedules, vaccination needs, and discuss any concerns that you have about the general care of your horse. Often your veterinarian will combine routine procedures such as vaccinations, with an annual or biannual wellness exam, and they are also a great time to have your veterinarian examine your horse's teeth to check for sharp points and to see if the horse could benefit from a dental "float".
Screening blood tests can also be beneficial for animals even when they appear healthy. Sometimes seemingly healthy animals may have mild changes in their blood values that can direct early treatment or dietary changes. When blood results are "normal", they can serve as a baseline for future comparison in the event of illness. When abnormalities are detected, they help direct early and appropriate treatment, often improving the long-term prognosis. Specialty and endocrine tests may be suggested based on physical exam findings; for example, your veterinarian may note that your horse has a longer and curlier hair coat than in previous years. This may suggest the possibility of Equine Cushing's disease and prompt a blood test to confirm diagnosis (this topic will be the subject of a later post).
So even if your horse is happy and healthy, a wellness exam can allow you and your animal to establish a relationship with your veterinarian, which is beneficial for everyone should an emergency arise!
