A standard wellness exam gives your pet a stronger chance at a long, steady life. You may feel nervous before the visit. You may worry that the vet will find something scary. That worry is normal. A clear plan helps you feel more in control. This guide walks you through four simple steps you can expect at every checkup with an East San Jose veterinarian. First, you learn what happens from the moment you walk in. Next, you see how the team checks your pet’s body. Then you see what tests your pet may need. Finally, you learn how to use the results at home. You deserve straight answers and no surprises. When you know each step, you can ask sharper questions and speak up for your pet with more strength.
Step 1. Intake, history, and your concerns
The visit starts before anyone touches your pet. The team needs your story. That story shapes every choice that follows.
You can expect the staff to ask about three main parts of your pet’s life.
- Daily habits. Eating, drinking, bathroom use, sleep, and play.
- Past care. Vaccines, past illnesses, surgery, and medicines.
- Behavior changes. Hiding, limping, growling, confusion, or accidents in the house.
This talk might feel simple. It is not. Many problems show up first in small changes at home. You see those changes long before anyone in the clinic.
You can prepare by writing short notes before the visit. Include what worries you most. Include when each change started. Include any new food, treats, or stress in the home.
For more ideas on what to track, you can review the pet health tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That resource explains how your pet’s health also protects your family.
Step 2. Nose to tail physical exam
Next comes a hands on exam. The vet checks your pet from nose to tail. You stay in the room unless your pet needs special handling. Your calm voice can help your pet stay steady.
During this step, the vet will usually check three groups of body systems.
- Basic signs. Weight, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature.
- Outside body. Eyes, ears, mouth, teeth, skin, fur, paws, and nails.
- Inside body. Heart, lungs, belly organs, joints, and muscles.
The vet looks, listens, and feels. You might hear words like heart murmur, mass, or inflammation. Ask for plain words if anything feels confusing. You deserve clear language.
Here is a simple table that shows what the vet checks and what you might hear.
| Body Part | What the Vet Checks | Common Concerns
|
|---|---|---|
| Eyes | Clarity, color, tear production | Redness, cloudiness, discharge |
| Ears | Wax, odor, pain | Infection, mites, allergies |
| Mouth and teeth | Gums, tartar, broken teeth | Gum disease, pain, bad breath |
| Heart and lungs | Heart rhythm, breath sounds | Murmurs, fluid, infection |
| Skin and coat | Hair loss, lumps, parasites | Fleas, ticks, rashes, tumors |
| Joints | Range of motion, swelling | Arthritis, injury, pain |
If the vet finds a lump or sore spot, that does not always mean a crisis. Many findings just need monitoring. Still, you should ask three direct questions.
- What is this most likely to be.
- What signs should I watch for at home.
- When should I call you again about this.
Step 3. Screening tests and vaccines
After the exam, the vet may suggest tests. These tests search for hidden disease before your pet looks sick. Early care often costs less and protects comfort.
Common wellness tests include three main types.
- Blood tests. Check organs like liver, kidneys, and blood cells.
- Urine tests. Check kidneys, bladder, and sugar levels.
- Stool tests. Check for worms and other parasites.
For dogs and cats, tests and vaccines follow age and risk. The chart below gives a simple comparison. Your vet may adjust this plan for your pet.
| Pet Type | Age Group | Suggested Visit Frequency | Common Tests | Core Vaccines
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog | Puppy | Every 3 to 4 weeks until about 16 weeks old | Stool test, basic blood test if needed | Distemper, parvo, adenovirus, rabies |
| Dog | Adult | Once a year | Heartworm test, stool test, blood panel as advised | Rabies, distemper combo, others based on risk |
| Dog | Senior | Every 6 to 12 months | Blood panel, urine test, blood pressure | Same as adult if still healthy enough |
| Cat | Kitten | Every 3 to 4 weeks until about 16 weeks old | Stool test, virus tests if needed | Panleukopenia, herpes, calici, rabies |
| Cat | Adult | Once a year | Stool test, blood tests as advised | Rabies, core combo, others based on lifestyle |
| Cat | Senior | Every 6 to 12 months | Blood panel, urine test, blood pressure | Same as adult if still healthy enough |
You can review common dog and cat vaccine schedules from the American Veterinary Medical Association. That source lists core and non core shots and explains how often they are given.
If you worry about cost or pain from tests, say that out loud. You and the vet can rank which tests are most urgent, which can wait, and which do not add new information right now.
Step 4. Care plan and follow up at home
The last step turns all the findings into a clear plan. This plan should feel simple enough to follow on a hard day.
Your vet will usually cover three parts.
- What to start. New medicine, diet changes, or parasite prevention.
- What to stop. Old medicine, unsafe treats, or harmful habits.
- What to watch. Specific changes in weight, appetite, behavior, or bathroom use.
Ask the team to write the plan down. A written plan reduces errors and fear once you get home. It also helps any other family member understand what to do.
You can request clear answers to these questions.
- What is the single most important step I should take this week.
- What problem worries you most for my pet over the next year.
- When should my pet come back for the next wellness exam.
Routine exams are not a luxury. They are steady protection. You cannot prevent every illness. You can give your pet early help, less pain, and more peace. When you walk out of the clinic with a written plan and your questions answered, you have done right by your pet.