Welcome to the Bell County Animal Clinic home page.

Serving Bell County, Kentucky, since 1972

Annual Exams

annual exams

Do animals need annual exams? Of course they do! In fact, because animals age more rapidly than we do, annual exams are even more important. If your pet is examined every year by your veterinarian, it is equivalent to a person going to the doctor every 4 to 7 years.

In the past, we were conditioned to be very concerned about annual vaccinations. Now there is a debate about how often and which vaccinations should be given. This should be discussed with your veterinarian. There is no debate about annual exams. Experts agree that annual exams are very important for your pet. Previously, the physical exam was shortchanged by some veterinarians. All professions "live and learn," and veterinary medicine is no different in that respect. Your pet’s doctor probably gives a much more thorough exam now than he or she did 10 years ago. It may even be more thorough than the exam your own doctor gives you!

New diagnostic techniques have greatly improved our ability to gauge a pet’s over all health and well-being. Equipment such as an electronic ear scope, eye pressure monitors, and blood pressure monitors are relatively new on the scene. In-house blood work and quick outsourcing of specialized tests have made quality health care for pets much more accessible. Quick, reliable in-house testing for heartworms, Lyme and Ehrlichia disease (tick-borne diseases), feline leukemia, feline immuno-deficiency virus, and giardia (an intestinal parasite) is now available.

Not all problems require sophisticated equipment or tests to diagnose. Heart disease, skin disease, dental problems, external and internal parasites, and obesity are just a few of the problems that are routinely discovered during an annual exam. Routine blood work each year, especially in older animals, is very useful in picking up problems with the kidneys, liver, and blood. Just as in humans, the earlier problems are detected, the more likely they are to be correctable.

In our area, we are extremely fortunate to have veterinary specialists readily available within a 2-hour drive. Ophthalmologists, neurologists, cardiologists, dermatologists, and just about any other "ologists" are available for animals. Most rural areas do not have specialists so close, but having the UT Veterinary School in Knoxville draws a wide range of doctors with special skills for those animals with complicated or unusual needs.

For those who really love their pets, a yearly exam can be one of the best gifts you can give to that special furry creature in your life!