Wellness Exams

At Commonwealth Veterinary Hospital, we believe that the best approach to your pet’s health care is to prevent problems before they start, so we recommend a complete physical exam for your pet once a year. Because our pets aren’t able to warn us when they feel an illness coming on, annual check ups are the easiest and best way to keep them happy and healthy. At Commonwealth Veterinary Hospital, we provide a ‘nose to toes’ exam for all of our patients that allows us to identify and treat problems before they become severe.

Our annual wellness examination is comprised of:

1. A review of your pet’s medical history
2. An ear and eye examination
3. Cardiopulmonary (Heart & Lung) analysis
4. Abdominal palpation
5. A dental exam
6. A dermatological (skin) exam
7. Gait evaluation and orthopedic exam
8. Nutritional counseling based on your pet’s unique needs
9. Intestinal parasite screening
10. Heartworm and tick borne disease screening
11. Flea, tick, and other external parasite checks

Your pet’s annual wellness exam is also the perfect time to talk to your vet about any minor changes you’ve noticed in your pet’s health or behavior over the course of the year. Your veterinarian will use this feedback about your pet’s health and habits at home, along with the findings of our complete veterinary exam, to work with you to outline a health plan that suits your pet’s individual needs. Depending on your pet’s age, overall health, and lifestyle, your veterinarian may recommend vaccinations, dietary or exercise changes, laboratory tests, or lifestyle changes to ensure that your pet stays happy and healthy throughout the year.

Puppy and Kitten Exams

We pride ourselves on getting you and your new pet off to a great start! Our staff works hard to keep up with the latest developments in vaccines, preventative medicine, behavior, and training so we have all the resources we need to help you learn to live in harmony with your new addition. We ask that you bring any known health history on your puppy or kitten to your first visit. This will tell us what, if any, vaccines your pet has already been given by their breeder or shelter. Depending on the age of your new puppy or kitten, this might only include one or two vaccines and little or no written medical history, but it is still crucial for us to have as we can work with you to design a schedule of care that is right for your new pet. Life with a new puppy or kitten can be an exciting and overwhelming time, and we’re here to answer all of your questions, from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Don’t hesitate to call and ask. We’re here to help!

Spay and Neuter Services

Pets that are spayed or neutered live longer, healthier lives, and we recommend discussing the benefits of this routine procedure with your veterinarian. Taking into account your pet’s size, breed, personality, and lifestyle, your vet will work with you to determine the best time to spay or neuter your pet to maximize his or her lifelong health. To learn more about our Spay and Neuter procedures, visit our Surgical Procedures page.

Microchipping

Microchips are small, encapsulated, RFID chips that serve as a permanent form of identification for your pet. The chip is the size of a grain of rice, and can be implanted under your pet’s skin using a hypodermic needle similar to those we use for giving vaccines. No surgery or anesthesia is needed for implantation. The chip can be scanned by any rescue organization, animal control officer, or veterinary hospital in order to obtain your pet’s identification number. This number is then used to obtain your contact information so you can be reunited with your pet. This technology is responsible for the return of thousands of lost pets to their owners every year, which makes it a minimally invasive way to improve your chances of being reunited with your pet if he or she is lost. It also allows your pet to travel internationally if the need arises.

Vaccinations

Vaccinating your pets against disease is one of the most important aspects of preventative pet health care. At Commonwealth Veterinary Hospital, our vaccination protocols are based on the latest scientific research, and are always customized to your pet’s individual needs.

Domestic and International Health Certificates

Whether you’re planning to travel within the United States or are planning an international trip with your pet, our veterinarians are able to provide you with the required health certification neededs in order to travel with you. If you’re planning to travel internationally, we encourage you to plan as far in advance as possible. Preparation for travel to some countries begins 4-6 months ahead of your intended travel date. International health certificates require that your pet be microchipped and up to date on vaccinations. Many countries have strict timelines to for vaccine updates, deworming, and form approval through the USDA. Call us as you begin planning to travel to and we’ll get you connected with important pet travel resources.

Nutritional Counseling

Just like their human companions, our pets sometimes need a special diet to help them lose weight or manage a specific medical condition. Advances in veterinary medicine have made available a wide variety of nutritional therapies that include everything from joint supplements to special diets to help manage chronic conditions like diabetes or kidney disease. No matter what your pet’s needs, our veterinarians are here to help you sort through the many nutritional options that are available to you, and create a nutritional plan that is right for your pet.

Behavior

We understand that concerns about your pet’s behavior can have a significant impact on your relationship with them, and we are here to help as the need arises. Whether your pet is in need of more advanced training, environmental modification, or medication to help with behavioral conditions, we work with you to help make a diagnosis and behavioral plan.

Senior Pet Care

As your pet ages, lifestyle changes may be necessary in order to keep him or her happy and healthy, and we’re here to help advise you as these needs arise. These changes may include a special diet or medications to manage chronic conditions or pain. We will also counsel you on ways to keep your senior pet active and enriched as their abilities diminish.

Medical concerns can develop rapidly as your pet ages. For this reason, we often recommend bi-annual senior wellness exams for many of our older patients. We also recommend labwork more frequently for senior pets. These diagnostic screening tests measure a number of internal parameters, including red blood cells, white blood cells, clotting factors, blood glucose, kidney function, liver function, and thyroid function. In doing so, they help us identify if nutritional changes or medications might help your pet live a longer, healthier life. Your veterinarian will let you know when your pet should begin having bi-annual exams, as it varies based on species and breed.

Medications and Special Diets

At Commonwealth Veterinary Hospital, we maintain a full pet pharmacy on-site. For many conditions your pet can begin his or her treatment immediately after your visit, as most prescriptions are filled in minutes. Your pet’s medications will be prepared by trusted CVH team members, who can if needed, demonstrate how to administer it. Our team is always ready to answer your questions you may have, either at the hospital or over the phone. We also stock a variety of prescription diets for when your pet has special dietary needs. Available by prescription only Hill’s Prescription Diet is the product of over seventy years of research and is recommended by veterinarians worldwide. Hill’s also has an excellent product guarantee. If your pet refuses to eat the food, the unused portion can be returned for a full refund. We are also able to order a variety of other prescription diet products from Royal Canin, Purina, and other approved prescription diet manufacturers as needed.

Schedule Your Pet’s Wellness Exam at Commonwealth Veterinary Hospital Today

Newton is one of the premier veterinary hospitals in the Newton area. We pride ourselves on going above and beyond while caring for pets of all ages. Call us today at 617-332-7030 to learn more or schedule an appointment for your pet.