Annual Health Check & Vaccinations2025-09-25T20:45:00+00:00

Annual Health Check & Vaccinations

We at the Vienna Vet know that your pet is a very important part of your family. Comprehensive annual health checks and a specialized vaccination schedule are the first steps in ensuring their long life. The foundation of responsible pet ownership is these preventive measures, helping to make sure that your dog or cat has the best possible quality of life. Our team of devoted veterinary professionals is here to help you every step of the way on your pet’s journey to health. They will give you expert care, personalized advice, and unwavering support.

Why are yearly health checks so important?

Annual health checks are more than just a regular visit; they are a way to take care of your pet’s health. Pets can’t tell you when something is wrong like people can. A lot of animals instinctively hide signs of illness or discomfort, which makes it easy for early symptoms to go unnoticed. That’s why it’s so important to have regular veterinary exams.

Our veterinarians evaluate your pet’s overall health during an annual health check at Vienna Vet. This lets us:
Find early signs of illness:

Annual health checks are more than just a regular visit; they are a way to take care of your pet’s health. Pets can’t tell you when something is wrong like people can. A lot of animals instinctively hide signs of illness or discomfort, which makes it easy for early symptoms to go unnoticed. That’s why it’s so important to have regular veterinary exams.

Keep an eye on growth and development:

Regular checkups help puppies and kittens grow, develop, and socialize properly. We keep an eye on changes in weight, mobility, and organ function in adult pets. We focus on age-related problems like arthritis, dental disease, and cognitive decline in older people.

Check your pet’s diet and lifestyle:

Our staff will talk to you about your pet’s diet, exercise routine, and daily activities. We’ll give you advice on how to manage your weight, eat healthfully, and engage in activities that are good for both your body and mind.

Update Preventive Care:

The best time to go over your pet’s preventive care plan, which includes parasite control, dental health, and behavioural health, is once a year. We’ll address any concerns you have and ensure your pet’s records are up to date, allowing them to continue receiving the care they need.

By making sure your pet gets regular health checks, you are helping them live a longer, happier life.

What Happens During an Annual Health Check?

To get a full picture of your pet’s health, we conduct an extensive, multi-step annual health check. Every visit is planned with your pet’s age, breed, lifestyle, and medical history in mind, so nothing is missed.

Full physical exam

Our veterinarians will do a thorough check from head to tail, which includes:

  • Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat: We check for signs of infection, inflammation, discharge, or other abnormalities that could mean there are health issues underneath.

  • Teeth and Gums: Dental disease is common in pets and can cause discomfort, infection, and even illness throughout the body. We look for tartar buildup, gingivitis, loose teeth, or oral masses in your pet’s mouth.

  • Skin and Coat: The health of your pet can be seen in the condition of their skin and fur. We check for lumps, rashes, parasites (like fleas and ticks), or signs of allergies.

  • Heart and Lungs: We use a stethoscope to listen for heartbeats that are out of the ordinary, murmurs, or breathing problems. Early detection of cardiac or pulmonary conditions can save lives.

  • Abdomen: We can check the size of organs and feel for pain, swelling, or masses by gently touching the abdomen.

We check for signs of arthritis, muscle loss, or mobility problems, which are more common in older pets. This thorough physical exam is the basis of preventive care. It lets us see small changes that might mean health problems are starting to show up.

Tests for diagnosis

We may suggest more diagnostic tests based on your pet’s age, breed, and risk factors. These tests could include:

  • Blood tests can screen for diseases like diabetes, thyroid problems, and infections, as well as give information about the liver and kidneys’ function and blood cell counts.
  • Urinalysis can find urinary tract infections, kidney problems, or diabetes, and faecal tests can find intestinal parasites.
  • Disease Screening: We may screen for heartworm, tick-borne diseases, feline leukaemia, and FIV in pets that are at risk.
  • Imaging (if necessary): Sometimes, X-rays or ultrasounds may be suggested to look into problems inside the body or keep an eye on long-term conditions.

These tests help us find health problems as soon as possible, when they are easiest to treat, and set a baseline for future comparisons.

Review of Medical History

Every health check needs to include a thorough talk with you. We want to know:

  • Pet weight, thirst, or appetite changes
  • Changes in behaviour or energy levels
  • Problems with digestion, like throwing up or having diarrhoea
  • Urinary habits and any signs of pain
  • Coughing, sneezing, or having trouble breathing
  • Any new bumps, lumps, or changes in your skin

Your observations at home are very helpful because you know your pet best. We can get a full picture of your pet’s health by putting together what you know with what we find in the clinic.

Parasite Control

We may suggest more diagnostic tests based on your pet’s age, breed, and risk factors. These tests could include:

  • Parasites can seriously compromise the health of pets and, in some cases, people. Check for external parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites during your pet’s annual checkup.
  • Talk about the dangers of internal parasites like hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms.
  • Suggest the best year-round preventive care for your pet based on their lifestyle and surroundings
  • Teach you how to protect your family and the signs of parasitic infections.

To keep your pet comfortable and healthy, you need to be able to control parasites well.

The Importance of Vaccinations

Vaccines are one of the best ways to keep your pet safe from several diseases that can spread and even kill them. We make a vaccination schedule for your pet at the Vienna Vet that is based on the most up-to-date international guidelines.

Core Vaccines

Core vaccines are important for all pets because they protect them from diseases that are common, serious, or dangerous to people.

  • Dogs: Core vaccines for dogs are rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus (hepatitis). Vaccination is very important because these diseases can kill you and are often not treatable.

  • Cats: Feline panleukopenia (distemper), feline calicivirus, and feline herpesvirus are some of the core vaccines for cats. These guard against illnesses that are extremely contagious and could end your life.

Non-Core Vaccines

We give non-core vaccines based on your pet’s lifestyle, where they live, and how likely they are to be exposed to certain diseases:

  • Dogs: If your dog goes to parks, kennels, or travels a lot, they may need vaccines for Bordetella (kennel cough), leptospirosis, canine influenza, and Lyme disease.

  • Cats: Cats that go outside or live with more than one cat may need the feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and Bordetella vaccines.

Vaccination Schedules for Puppies and Kittens

Starting at 6 to 8 weeks old, young animals need a series of vaccinations, with boosters every 3 to 4 weeks until they are about 16 weeks old. This schedule makes sure that their immune systems are fully protected as they grow. Our team will help you through each step, answer your questions, and remind you when your next vaccines are due.

Adult and Senior Pets

Adult pets need regular booster shots to keep their immunity up because it can go down over time. The type and frequency of boosters depend on your pet’s age, health, and way of life. Our veterinarians will look over your pet’s vaccination history and suggest the best way to go about it.

Travel and Boarding Requirements

If you plan to travel or board your pet, certain vaccines may be required by law or facility policy. We provide all necessary documentation and can advise you on additional preventive measures to keep your pet safe during travel.

How Often Should My Pet Have a Health Check?

The best number of health checks for your pet depends on their age, breed, and medical history:

  • For puppies and kittens: Every three to four weeks until they finish their first set of vaccines, and then a full checkup at six months and again at one year.
  • Adult pets (8 years and older): At least once a year, they should get a full health check and vaccine boosters. Some breeds or pets with long-term health problems may need to see the vet more often.
  • For older pets (over 8 years), every six months is best because older animals are more likely to get diseases that get worse quickly.
  • Frequent checkups make it possible to catch problems early and better manage chronic conditions.

Our team will help you make a schedule that is good for your pet’s health and meets their specific needs at every stage of life.

Why should you take your pet to the Vienna Vet for preventive care?

The Vienna Vet is committed to giving each patient the best, most caring care possible. You get the following when you bring your pet to us for their annual health checks and vaccinations:

  • A Team That Cares and Knows What They’re Doing: Our veterinarians and support staff care deeply about the health and well-being of animals. They have years of experience in preventive medicine.

  • Modern Facilities: We use the most up-to-date diagnostic tools to make sure that our evaluations are correct and done on time.

  • Personalized Care: Each pet gets a unique wellness plan that takes into account their needs, lifestyle, and risk factors.

  • Cat-Friendly Clinic: Our ISFM Gold Standard accreditation means that we do everything we can to make our feline patients’ visits as stress-free and pleasant as possible.

  • Education and Support: We give pet owners the information and tools they need to make smart choices about how to care for their pets.

  • Location and Hours: Our clinic is easy to get to and has flexible hours to fit your busy life.

Our team will help you make a schedule that is good for your pet’s health and meets their specific needs at every stage of life.

frequently asked questions

How do I know which vaccines my pet needs and how often they should be given?2025-07-17T08:16:47+00:00

Based on your pet’s age, breed, health status, way of life, and risk factors, our veterinary team at Vienna Vet will develop a tailored vaccination schedule. It is recommended that all pets get core vaccines. Non-core vaccines are only given to pets that are at risk (for example, when they travel, stay in a boarding facility, or spend time outside). We will keep track of your pet’s vaccination history and send you reminders when boosters are due. This will ensure that your pet is fully protected throughout their life..

Are vaccinations really necessary for indoor pets?2025-07-17T08:16:12+00:00

Yes, all pets need to get their shots, even the ones that only live inside. Some diseases can be spread through the air, by bugs, or on things that are brought in from outside. Also, there is always a chance that your pet could get away or come into contact with other animals while you are at the vet or getting your pet groomed. Vaccines protect your pet from serious and potentially deadly diseases, regardless of life style.

Why does my pet need an annual health check if they seem healthy?2025-07-17T07:09:28+00:00

Even if your pet appears to be in perfect health, annual health checks are important because many illnesses and conditions develop slowly and may not show obvious symptoms until they are advanced. Veterinarians can find early signs of disease, keep an eye on changes in weight or behaviour, and fix small problems before they get worse by doing regular checkups. The best way to keep your pet healthy for a long time is to give them preventive care. This will help you find problems when they are still easy to fix.

How do I know which vaccines my pet needs and how often they should be given?2025-07-17T08:16:47+00:00

Based on your pet’s age, breed, health status, way of life, and risk factors, our veterinary team at Vienna Vet will develop a tailored vaccination schedule. It is recommended that all pets get core vaccines. Non-core vaccines are only given to pets that are at risk (for example, when they travel, stay in a boarding facility, or spend time outside). We will keep track of your pet’s vaccination history and send you reminders when boosters are due. This will ensure that your pet is fully protected throughout their life..

Are vaccinations really necessary for indoor pets?2025-07-17T08:16:12+00:00

Yes, all pets need to get their shots, even the ones that only live inside. Some diseases can be spread through the air, by bugs, or on things that are brought in from outside. Also, there is always a chance that your pet could get away or come into contact with other animals while you are at the vet or getting your pet groomed. Vaccines protect your pet from serious and potentially deadly diseases, regardless of life style.

Why does my pet need an annual health check if they seem healthy?2025-07-17T07:09:28+00:00

Even if your pet appears to be in perfect health, annual health checks are important because many illnesses and conditions develop slowly and may not show obvious symptoms until they are advanced. Veterinarians can find early signs of disease, keep an eye on changes in weight or behaviour, and fix small problems before they get worse by doing regular checkups. The best way to keep your pet healthy for a long time is to give them preventive care. This will help you find problems when they are still easy to fix.

Make an appointment for your pet’s yearly health checkup today.

The best thing you can do for your pet is to give them preventive care. You are investing in your pet’s long life and happiness by making sure they get regular health checks and stay up to date on their vaccinations. Let the kind staff at Vienna Vet help you on this journey.

Contact us to schedule your appointment:
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