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Wellness Exams in Richmond, TX

Routine pet wellness exams are the foundation of lifelong health, helping to prevent illness, detect early signs of disease, and keep your pet feeling their best. At Neighborhood Veterinary Centers Richmond, we take a proactive approach to veterinary care, offering comprehensive exams that include vaccinations, parasite prevention, nutritional guidance, and diagnostic screenings.

Each exam is tailored to your pet’s age, breed, and lifestyle, ensuring they receive the personalized care they need at every life stage. Our team is also here to answer your questions and provide guidance on everything from preventive care to managing chronic conditions, so you always feel informed about your pet’s health.

Schedule AppointmentCall Now: (281) 645-0666

What is a Pet Wellness Exam?

A wellness exam is a comprehensive evaluation designed to support your pet’s long-term well-being. Our veterinarians perform a nose-to-tail assessment, checking for any abnormalities, early signs of illness, or age-related changes. These exams are especially important for growing puppies and kittens, as well as adult and senior pets, ensuring they receive timely medical attention and proactive care.

Each wellness visit is customized based on your pet’s age, breed, lifestyle, and medical history, with personalized recommendations to keep them thriving.

A pet wellness exam is a routine check-up that assesses your pet’s overall health, detects early signs of disease, and provides preventive care to keep them healthy. Key areas covered are:
  • Physical examination
  • Vaccination review
  • Parasite prevention
  • NUTRITION & WEIGHT ASSESSMENT
  • DENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION
  • SENIOR PET CARE CONSIDERATIONS

How Often Should My Pet Have a Wellness Exam?

Routine wellness exams are one of the best ways to keep your pet healthy and by your side for years to come. The frequency of these exams depends on their age, lifestyle, and overall health—but no matter their stage of life, regular check-ups are essential for early disease detection and prevention. Pets are masters at hiding discomfort, and by the time symptoms appear, a condition may already be advanced. Wellness exams help catch issues early—before they impact your pet’s quality of life.

  • Puppies & Kittens: Frequent Check-Ins for a Strong Start
    Young pets grow fast, and their bodies go through rapid changes. To ensure they develop properly and stay protected from illness, puppies and kittens should have wellness visits every 3-4 weeks until they are about 16 weeks old. These early exams help monitor growth, provide essential vaccinations, and establish a strong foundation for lifelong health.
  • Adult Pets: Annual Exams for Ongoing Wellness
    Once your pet reaches adulthood, yearly wellness exams are key to keeping them in top shape. Even if they seem perfectly healthy, regular check-ups allow us to detect hidden health concerns before they become serious. These visits also help ensure your pet is up to date on vaccinations, parasite prevention, and weight management.
  • Senior Pets: More Frequently Visits for Aging Gracefully
    As pets age, their health needs change. Senior dogs and cats, typically 7 years and older, benefit from twice-yearly wellness exams to catch age-related conditions like arthritis, kidney disease, or heart issues early. More frequent monitoring means we can adjust their care to keep them comfortable and thriving in their golden years.

Pet Vaccines

Vaccinations are the safest and most effective way to protect your pet from contagious—and often deadly—diseases.

At Neighborhood Veterinary Centers Richmond, we prioritize preventive care to keep your pet healthy and protected. Vaccines help shield pets from serious illnesses like distemper, parvovirus, feline panleukopenia, and rabies by training their immune system to recognize and fight off harmful pathogens. If your vaccinated pet encounters a disease in their environment, their body is prepared to defend itself automatically, reducing the risk of severe illness.

Why Are Pet Vaccines Important?

Prevents life-threatening diseases – Protects against rabies, distemper, and other deadly infections.
Protects the community – Some pets are too young or have health conditions that prevent them from being vaccinated. Keeping your pet up to date helps safeguard other animals.
Reduces zoonotic risks – Certain vaccines prevent diseases that can spread from pets to humans, including rabies.

What to Expect During a Pet Wellness Exam

A wellness exam is a proactive way to keep your pet healthy and thriving—catching concerns early before they become bigger problems.

Even if your pet appears perfectly healthy, routine wellness visits give us the opportunity to monitor their health, detect subtle changes, and provide personalized care based on their age, lifestyle, and medical history. At Neighborhood Veterinary Centers of Richmond, we take a nose-to-tail approach to ensure nothing is overlooked.

Here’s what you can expect during your pet’s wellness exam:

  1. Review of Medical History & Lifestyle
    We’ll ask about your pet’s activity level, diet, behavior, and any changes since their last visit.
  2. Comprehensive Physical Exam
    Our team checks your pet’s weight, skin, coat, eyes, ears, heart, lungs, joints, and more.
  3. Vaccinations (If Needed)
    We’ll review your pet’s vaccine schedule and administer any needed immunizations.
  4. Parasite Screening & Prevention
    We check for fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites and recommend preventives.
  5. Diagnostic Testing (If Recommended)
    Based on your pet’s age and health, we may suggest bloodwork or other screenings.

Common Pet Wellness Exam FAQ's

Why is a Wellness Exam Important if My Pet Seems Healthy?

Pets are experts at hiding discomfort. A wellness exam helps us catch early signs of illness, like dental disease, heart murmurs, or weight changes, before they become serious. Preventive care is not only more effective but can also save you money in the long run.

What Vaccines are Required for Pets in the Katy/Richmond Area?

For dogs, we recommend core vaccines like Rabies, Distemper/Parvo (DHPP), and Bordetella (Kennel Cough)—especially if your dog is around other pets at parks or boarding. For cats, we recommend Rabies and FVRCP. We tailor vaccine plans based on your pet’s lifestyle and exposure risks.

Do Indoor-Only Pets Still Need Wellness Exams and Vaccines?

Absolutely. Indoor pets are still at risk for issues like dental disease, obesity, parasites, and age-related conditions. Vaccines like Rabies are required by Texas law for all pets—even if they stay indoors.

A better, happier life starts now!

Call us today at Neighborhood Veterinary Centers Richmond to request an appointment and get started.

Schedule AppointmentCall Now: (281) 645-0666