FR
ENAnnual Preventive Exam
The simplest and most effective preventive step for your pet
Why a visit every year?
Unlike humans, animals cannot tell us where it hurts. They often mask pain and discomfort by instinct. The annual exam is our way to look beyond appearances and act before problems worsen.
Early detection
Teeth, skin, ears, weight, joints, pain… Many conditions develop without initial signs. The annual exam catches changes before they worsen and treatment options narrow.
Plan tailored to your pet
A 6-month-old kitten has different needs than a 9-year-old Labrador. The visit provides personalized advice on nutrition, behaviour, parasite prevention and more based on age and lifestyle.
Informed decisions
We always present options with a cost estimate before any procedure. No surprises: you decide based on full information, according to your priorities and budget.
Continuity of care
If follow-up is needed, we schedule a progress exam before you even leave the clinic.
Tracking trends
Year over year, we compare weight, body condition, blood panels and overall health. These trends are often more meaningful than any isolated result.
Your peace of mind
Knowing your pet has been examined head to tail, everything is on record, and a plan is in place — that peace of mind is priceless.
What's included in the annual exam
A full health assessment, not just a vaccine reminder
Complete physical exam: nose to tail
Mouth, teeth and gums, ears, eyes, skin and coat, heart and lungs, abdominal palpation, joints, pain and mobility assessment. Every system is reviewed methodically.
Why it matters: Your pet can't tell us where it hurts. A structured exam detects what's invisible on the surface: a fractured tooth under the gum line, a painful joint, an early abdominal mass.
Weight and body condition score
We record exact weight and assess body condition on a standardized 1–9 scale, comparing to previous visits to detect trends.
Why it matters: Obesity is one of the most common — and most underestimated — health problems in pets. Catching a trend early means acting before consequences (diabetes, arthritis, cardiac issues) set in.
Full lifestyle review
Diet, behaviour, environment, outings, travel, boarding, parasite exposure, contact with other animals. An honest discussion to tailor recommendations to your reality.
Why it matters: A sedentary indoor cat has very different needs than a dog that runs in the forest every weekend. Lifestyle guides every recommendation: from vaccines to antiparasitics to nutrition.
Updated prevention plan
Vaccines and antiparasitics only if relevant to lifestyle, targeted screening recommendations. Nothing systematic — everything individualized.
Why it matters: We don't give all vaccines every year. The schedule depends on individual risk and immunity duration. Result: fewer unnecessary injections and a focus on what truly matters.
Time for your questions & written summary
You leave with a clear summary of observations, prioritized recommendations and a follow-up plan if needed. We answer all your questions without rushing you.
Why it matters: A vet visit should never end with more questions than you arrived with. Our goal: you leave with a clear picture of your pet's health and next steps.
Indoor cats
Even without going outside, dental disease, weight gain and age-related conditions often progress without visible signs. An annual visit is recommended even for the most zen indoor cat.
Senior pets (≈ 7 years and older)
Depending on profile, check-ups every 6 to 12 months help stay proactive: pain, mobility, weight, kidney and liver function. Aging comfortably takes planning.
What changed in our protocols
Preventive veterinary medicine has evolved. So have our recommendations — for the better.
⏳ Traditional approach
- ✗Systematic annual vaccines for everyone
- ✗Visit = vaccine reminder only
- ✗Little room for personalized discussion
- ✗Same antiparasitic protocol for all pets
- ✗Little follow-up between visits
- ✗Cost estimate often came after the fact
⚡ Our current approach
- ✓Vaccine schedule based on individual risk
- ✓Complete physical exam independent of vaccines
- ✓Personalized advice on nutrition and behaviour
- ✓Antiparasitics tailored to actual lifestyle
- ✓Progress exam scheduled if needed
- ✓Systematic cost estimate before any procedure
What to expect on the day
A structured visit, no surprises
Welcome & record update
A few minutes to confirm information, note any recent changes (appetite, behaviour, medications) and update the medical record. This is also the time to tell us what's on your mind.
Complete physical exam (≈ 15–25 min)
Head to tail: mouth, eyes, ears, skin, heart, lungs, abdomen, joints, pain and mobility. Everything is recorded. We explain what we observe as we go.
Discussion, prevention plan & cost estimate
We share our observations, propose an adapted prevention plan and present options with a clear cost estimate before any procedure. You decide with full information, no pressure.
Follow-up scheduled before you leave
If a progress exam or additional workup is indicated, we set the date before you leave the clinic. You leave with a written summary.
Before you come: checklist
A few minutes of preparation to make the most of your visit
What to bring
- Stool sample: ~1 teaspoon (≈ 5 mL), ideally collected less than 12 hours before the visit
- Names, doses and quantities of all food, medications and supplements (a photo of the label works great)
- Health records or any previous veterinary documents if your pet is a new client
- Your pet's favourite treats! They make the exam much more pleasant for everyone.
Questions to prepare
- Changes in appetite or thirst noticed since the last visit
- Changes in weight or body shape
- Changes in behaviour, energy or mobility
- Questions about diet or supplements
- Cats: covered carrier preferred — it reduces stress!
- Dogs: leash or appropriately sized carrier
Anxious pet? Mention it when booking. We prepare a tailored low-stress visit: calm environment, pheromones, acclimatization time. If needed, we discuss a pre-visit plan (supplements or light medication) so the experience is calming from the moment you arrive.
Our low-stress approach
Because a calm visit is better for everyone
Gentle, kind handling
We favour minimal, respectful restraint techniques. No rough handling: every gesture is designed to maintain your pet's trust.
Positive reinforcement
Treats, encouragement, breaks as needed: we turn the visit into a positive experience so your pet isn't afraid of the next one.
Pheromones & calm environment
Soothing pheromone diffusers (Feliway for cats, Adaptil for dogs), separate waiting areas and a quiet atmosphere to reduce anxiety before you even enter the exam room.
Anxiety management plan
For very stressed pets, we can consider anxiolytic supplements or light pre-visit medication. Just ask when booking.
Frequently asked questions
Our clients' most common questions
My pet seems healthy — does it really need an annual exam?
Yes. Many problems (dental, skin/ears, weight, pain/mobility) develop without visible signs at first. Animals often mask discomfort by instinct. The exam enables early detection and targeted advice, before treatment options narrow.
If no vaccines are due, why come in?
The visit doesn't depend on vaccines. We perform a complete physical exam and update the prevention plan; vaccines are only given if indicated based on lifestyle and immunity duration. The value of the visit is the exam itself.
How long does the visit take?
Usually 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the patient and topics to cover. For senior pets or those with multiple points to discuss, it may run a bit longer — and that's perfectly fine.
My pet is very stressed at the vet. What can we do?
Let us know when booking: we'll prepare a tailored low-stress visit (calm environment, pheromones, acclimatization time, treats). Anxiolytic supplements or light medication can be considered pre-visit if needed. This is one of the most common requests we receive.
Will I get a cost estimate before any care?
Always. We present a care plan with a cost estimate before any procedure or intervention. You decide with full information — no surprise at checkout.
What if follow-up is needed after the visit?
We schedule a progress exam (confirmed date and time) before you leave to ensure continuity of care. Your pet won't fall through the cracks between visits.
How often should indoor cats be examined?
Once a year is recommended, even for strictly indoor cats. Dental disease, weight gain and various age-related conditions often progress with no outward signs. From age 7–8, check-ups every 6 to 12 months are often advised.
When to come sooner than once a year?
These signs warrant a visit without delay
Loss of appetite, repeated vomiting or persistent diarrhea
Notably increased thirst or urination
Rapid weight loss or gain without obvious dietary change
Limping, stiffness, difficulty getting up or climbing stairs
Coughing, shortness of breath or sudden exercise intolerance
Intense itching, ear infection, skin lesions or dull coat
Sudden behaviour change: aggression, withdrawal, disorientation
Bad breath, difficulty chewing, excessive drooling
⚠️ Emergency: immediate evaluation recommended
Respiratory distress or cyanosis, fainting, seizures, uncontrollable vomiting, severe pain, urinary obstruction (especially in male cats), active hemorrhage.
Call us immediately at 514-223-1197 or go to a 24/7 emergency veterinary centre.
Your pet deserves the best start, every year
Booking an annual exam is the simplest and most effective preventive step you can take for your pet's long-term health.
You will receive a cost estimate before any procedure.