Wellness Exams

FAQs

1. How often should my dog or cat have a wellness exam?

Even healthy pets should be examined at least once a year, while senior pets and those with chronic medical conditions benefit from exams every six months. Pets age much faster than we do, and significant health changes can occur in a relatively short period of time. At Cascade Heights Veterinary Center, routine wellness exams allow us to detect subtle changes before they become serious problems, helping your pet stay healthier and more comfortable throughout every stage of life.

2. My pet seems perfectly healthy. Why are annual checkups still important?

Many diseases develop silently long before pets show obvious signs of illness. Conditions such as kidney disease, arthritis, heart disease, dental disease, and certain cancers can progress unnoticed until they are more advanced. Preventive wellness visits give us the opportunity to identify these issues early, when treatment is often simpler, more effective, and less expensive. Our goal is to keep your pet healthy—not just treat them when they’re sick.

3. Does my pet really need a fecal (intestinal parasite) test every year?

Yes. Dogs and cats can carry intestinal parasites even when they appear perfectly healthy. Some parasites are difficult to detect without laboratory testing, and several can be transmitted to people, especially children. Annual fecal screening allows us to identify and treat parasites early, protecting both your pet and your family.

4. Why does my pet need blood work if they’re acting normally?

Routine blood work provides a valuable look at your pet’s internal health. It helps us evaluate important organs such as the kidneys, liver, pancreas, and thyroid, while also checking for anemia, infection, diabetes, and other medical conditions. Many diseases cause changes in blood work months or even years before pets develop clinical signs. At Cascade Heights Veterinary Center, we recommend wellness blood work based on your pet’s age, breed, lifestyle, and individual risk factors to establish healthy baseline values and detect disease as early as possible.

5. Why is dental care considered part of wellness care?

Dental disease is one of the most common medical conditions we see in dogs and cats, affecting the majority of pets by three years of age. Unfortunately, dental disease doesn’t just cause bad breath—it can lead to chronic pain, tooth loss, oral infections, and even affect organs such as the heart and kidneys. During every wellness visit, we’ll evaluate your pet’s oral health and recommend the most appropriate home care or professional dental cleaning to keep their mouth healthy and comfortable.

6. Does my pet still need vaccines and heartworm testing if they mostly stay indoors?

Yes. Even indoor pets are exposed to risks. Mosquitoes carrying heartworm disease can easily enter homes, and indoor cats and dogs can still encounter infectious diseases through open doors, grooming visits, boarding, veterinary hospitals, or unexpected escapes. We tailor vaccine recommendations and heartworm testing to your pet’s lifestyle and risk factors, ensuring they receive the protection they need without unnecessary vaccinations.

7. What does a comprehensive wellness visit include at Cascade Heights Veterinary Center?

Our wellness visits are designed to provide a complete picture of your pet’s health. In addition to a thorough physical examination, we discuss nutrition, weight management, behavior, pain and mobility, parasite prevention, vaccines, dental health, and any changes you’ve noticed at home. Depending on your pet’s age and health status, we may recommend intestinal parasite screening, heartworm testing, wellness blood work, urine testing, or other preventive diagnostics. We believe preventive medicine is one of the best investments you can make in your pet’s lifelong health, and we work with every family to create a personalized wellness plan that fits both their pet’s needs and their goals.