Every veterinarian’s goal is to ensure that pets and their owners enjoy each other’s company for as long as possible…

THE VETERINARY VISIT

Veterinarians choose their profession primarily to help animals in need. By offering their best expertise and working together with pet owners, they strive to ensure a long and healthy life for their beloved animals.

PET-VET Budapest Small Animal Clinic

Our team helps you learn how to properly care for your pet to prevent diseases as much as possible. In case of illness, we guide you on what to do to help your pet recover as quickly as possible.

The importance of veterinary visits

We all know that detecting a disease in its early stages increases the chances of recovery. Early detection also spares your pet unnecessary pain and saves you from unnecessary expenses.

Animals cannot always communicate when something is wrong. They may not show where they feel pain, and many are excellent at hiding their discomfort (a useful survival instinct in the wild, but a disadvantage in a domestic environment).

Just as **annual medical check-ups** are recommended for people, regular veterinary visits are essential for your pet as well. If your pet is older or has a medical condition, even more frequent check-ups may be necessary.

Additionally, a year is a long time in the life of a dog or cat—they age much faster than humans.

Help them stay healthy! Visit your veterinarian at the recommended intervals and ensure your pet undergoes the necessary examinations!

These check-ups assess your pet’s overall health and can identify potential issues early on.

Think about it: even cars require regular maintenance!

Through a thorough clinical examination, veterinarians can detect symptoms and recognize diseases. Early diagnosis and targeted treatment are crucial for your pet’s swift recovery.

The “schedule” of a veterinary visit

A veterinary visit follows a structured process. Through auscultation, palpation, and visual examination, the veterinarian can diagnose a wide range of health issues.

At the clinic, your pet’s weight is measured first, followed by the recording of basic clinical values such as body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate.

Then it’s your turn: describe any unusual behavior or changes in appetite! Share any observations you’ve made recently—changes in water consumption, urination or defecation habits, weight fluctuations, activity level changes—every small detail can be important!

It is extremely important that you provide accurate and concise answers to the veterinarian’s questions.

Following this, the veterinarian will conduct a thorough examination from head to tail:

The “schedule” of a veterinary visit

A veterinary visit follows a precisely defined series of steps. Through auscultation, palpation, and visual examination, the veterinarian can diagnose a wide range of diseases.

At the clinic, your pet’s weight is measured first, followed by the recording of basic clinical values such as body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate.

Then it’s your turn: report any unusual behavior or changes in appetite! Share any observations you’ve recently made—changes in water consumption, urination or defecation habits, weight fluctuations, activity level changes. Even the smallest detail can be significant!

It is extremely important that you provide accurate and concise answers to the veterinarian’s questions.

After that, your pet will be thoroughly examined from head to tail:

• Eyes. The eyes are examined with an ophthalmoscope to check for cataracts and retinal diseases. We also inspect the conjunctiva, the third eyelid, and the surrounding tissues.
• Ears. The long, winding ear canals are examined with an otoscope to look for inflammation, parasites, or foreign objects.
• Mouth. The oral cavity is inspected visually. We check for tartar, periodontal diseases, and assess the condition of the oral tissues.
• Heart and Lungs. Using a stethoscope, we listen to the heart and lungs and check the pulse. We examine the color of visible mucous membranes (conjunctiva, oral mucosa), assess their moisture, and gently press to determine the capillary refill time. These tests help in the early detection of certain heart and respiratory conditions.
• Abdomen. By palpating the abdominal cavity, we check for any abnormalities such as organ enlargement (spleen, liver, kidneys), the presence of tumors, and bladder fullness.
• Skin. A visual inspection is performed to detect external parasites (fleas, ticks, lice). We assess any wounds, growths, or swellings. The condition of the coat is observed, as the skin and fur are sensitive indicators of overall health.
• Lymph Nodes. We palpate accessible lymph nodes and examine their symmetry, size, and sensitivity.
• Nervous System. The function of the nervous system is assessed by observing behavior and testing reflexes.
• External Genitals and Mammary Glands. We check for abnormal discharge, color changes, swelling, or lumps. The condition of the prostate is assessed through a rectal examination.
• Gait and Posture. We observe whether the animal is limping and palpate the joints to check for pain, restricted movement, or swelling.
• Body Condition. We evaluate the pet’s weight and overall body condition.

Frequency of Veterinary Visits

Up to One Year of Age

As soon as you become a proud pet owner, choose a veterinarian and schedule a visit as soon as possible! If your pet has a vaccination record, be sure to bring it with you.

During the first visit, your veterinarian will assess your pet’s overall condition, checking for any congenital abnormalities (such as certain heart diseases, bone anomalies, or hernias) and ensuring that your pet is developing appropriately for its age. Young animals are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases, so they need vaccinations at specific intervals. Immunization typically begins at 6–7 weeks of age and continues until around 4–5 months of age.

During this period, your pet will receive multiple vaccinations. Your veterinarian will determine the appropriate schedule and type of vaccines needed—trust their expertise!

It is also essential not to overlook external (fleas, lice, ticks) and internal (intestinal worms) parasites!

The timing and frequency of parasite treatments depend on several factors, including your pet’s age, living conditions, exposure to other animals’ feces (e.g., during walks), any previous infections, breeding plans, and whether children frequently play with your pet.

At this age, decide whether you want to breed your pet! If not, have it neutered. Neutered pets can look forward to a longer and healthier life!

The benefits of neutering are most evident when the procedure is performed before sexual maturity.

At One Year of Age

At this stage, your pet is physiologically equivalent to a 13-year-old teenager! A series of changes occurs within a year, so a thorough clinical examination is recommended to reassess your pet’s physiological condition.

At Two Years of Age

This corresponds to a human in their early twenties. Generally, this is the peak of your pet’s health, making it the optimal time to establish a basic physiological profile—that is, to determine your pet’s normal laboratory (urine, blood) and clinical parameters.

As your pet ages, these values can be compared with future ones, which can greatly assist in the early diagnosis of diseases.

Between Three and Seven Years

A thorough clinical examination is recommended once a year. The “classic” veterinary visit should ideally be supplemented with urine and blood tests. Your veterinarian will determine the need for vaccinations and antiparasitic treatments.

Over Seven Years

Beyond this age, your pet is considered to be in its senior years. Just as we humans need to have our cholesterol and blood pressure checked more frequently as we age, it is also recommended that our pets undergo several routine examinations.

Diabetes, kidney disease, and some hormonal problems occur more frequently in older animals. Detecting and diagnosing these conditions early—before they cause irreversible changes—may require urine and blood tests, and possibly X-rays or an ultrasound examination.

If we obtain results that deviate from the norm, treatment of the disease can be initiated even in the asymptomatic (subclinical) stage. A normal result is reassuring and also serves as a reference for comparison with future results.

For older animals that are on medication, an annual veterinary visit is especially important, as an expert must evaluate both the effectiveness of the medications and the occurrence of any potential side effects.