The annual wellness exam: what your vet checks and why it matters

Many dog owners think of the annual vet visit mainly as a vaccine appointment. In reality, vaccination is just one component of a comprehensive wellness exam — one that screens for early signs of disease, reviews nutrition and body weight, and is the most reliable way to catch problems before they become serious. For senior dogs, twice-yearly visits are typically recommended.

A dog's lifespan is compressed relative to a human's: a single year of a dog's life represents several human years of biological change, particularly in the middle and senior stages. Regular professional assessment picks up age-related change that is easy to miss at home, where change happens gradually.

The physical examination: a head-to-tail assessment

The core of any wellness visit is a systematic physical examination. A thorough exam typically takes 10–20 minutes and covers every major body system. Many dogs find aspects of this stressful, and a skilled vet will work to keep the experience as calm as possible.

• Eyes: corneal clarity, pupil response, signs of discharge, early cataract formation, third eyelid
• Ears: canal inspection, signs of infection, inflammation or mite infestation
• Mouth and teeth: periodontal disease grading, tooth fractures, masses, lymph nodes in the neck
• Skin and coat: parasites, masses, skin lesions, coat quality as a marker of nutrition and systemic health
• Heart and lungs: auscultation for murmurs, arrhythmias, abnormal lung sounds
• Abdomen: palpation for organ size, masses, pain or fluid
• Musculoskeletal: gait assessment, joint range of motion, muscle mass symmetry, spinal pain
• Lymph nodes: enlarged nodes may indicate infection, inflammation or lymphoma
• Body condition score (BCS): a 9-point standardised scale to assess healthy weight
• Neurological screen: reflexes, mental alertness, coordination

Preventive care review

The annual exam is the natural moment to review and update your dog's preventive-care plan. This includes the vaccination schedule (core vaccines, any relevant non-core vaccines given the dog's lifestyle), heartworm status and prevention, flea-and-tick prevention, intestinal parasite control (a faecal test may be recommended), and dental hygiene.

Screening blood and urine tests

Vets increasingly recommend baseline bloodwork and urinalysis for adult and senior dogs, even when no clinical signs are present. A complete blood count (CBC), biochemistry panel and urinalysis can identify early kidney disease, liver dysfunction, anaemia, diabetes, and thyroid abnormalities — all conditions where early detection meaningfully improves outcomes. For dogs over seven years, this screening is particularly valuable.

Nutrition, weight and lifestyle review

Obesity is one of the most common and consequential health problems in companion dogs. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) 2023 Clinical Survey estimated approximately 59% of US dogs are overweight or obese (note: prevalence figures vary across studies by population and definition — earlier surveys and studies in other countries have reported ranges from 25–40%). The annual exam is an opportunity to assess body condition score, discuss current diet and feeding amounts, and adjust if needed. It is also the right moment to review exercise levels and any relevant lifestyle changes — a new home, a new household member, a change in activity.

Frequency by life stage

• Puppies: multiple visits in the first year for the vaccination series, parasite control and developmental checks
• Adult dogs (1–7 years): annual wellness exam
• Senior dogs (7+ years, or earlier in giant breeds): every six months — the AAHA Senior Care Guidelines recommend biannual visits from the senior life stage
• Dogs with chronic conditions: as directed by your vet, which may be more frequent