Annual Exams

For every pet we see.

For pets to stay healthy and avoid serious conditions later on in life, it’s important that they see their veterinarian at least once a year. Pets benefit greatly from yearly cat and dog exams, which can help detect underlying issues that would otherwise go unnoticed. For senior pets (7 years and older) we recommend exams twice yearly. For puppies and kittens, quarterly exams are recommended based on vaccination protocols. 

All of our annual exam services are designed to help your pet live their healthiest life, from one stage to the next:

Pet Wellness Exams

Cats and dogs receive equally thorough attention during their annual or bi-annual annual exam visits, which begin with a physical exam. Your veterinarian will examine their:

Routine exams help your veterinarian detect abnormalities in all of these areas and more. If any changes are observed, they will discuss them with you. Vaccinations can be given once your pet has been fully examined and receives a clean bill of health. In some instances, if a pet has an elevated temperature, we’ll postpone their vaccinations.

During the Annual Exam your doctor may order additional tests such as a blood draw to test for heartworm, and a fecal to test for intestinal parasites. Come to this appointment with questions prepared and let us know if you’ve noticed any problems at home. This is the best time to address them!

Puppy & Kitten Care

If you’ve just brought home a new puppy or kitten, contact us as soon as possible to set up their first annual exam with us. Bring any paperwork you have and a fresh fecal sample—many puppies and kittens are born with at least one kind of intestinal parasite, and the sooner they’re treated, the better.

We prefer to start your puppy or kitten’s vaccinations when they’re between 6 and 8 weeks old. We start with a series of distemper boosters, which are given every 3-4 weeks and end when they’re 12-16 weeks old. These initial visits typically run a little longer, because there is a lot of information to cover. We’ll discuss house training, parasite prevention, diet recommendations, toys, potential hazards, and much more.

Senior Care

Comprehensive senior care protocols and procedures help you to help your dog age gracefully, healthily, and happily. Our veterinarians recommend twice-yearly exams for senior pets. These exams may include additional lab work and other services as necessary.

Your canine or feline family member deserves the best routine care available, and we’re happy to offer so many annual exam care services for them here in Fairfax. If you have any questions about your pet’s medical needs or need to make an appointment, give us a call at (703) 273-2110.