Coastal Valley Veterinary Services, LLC - Old Lyme, CT

Why do our pets need routine physical exams?

Since our beloved pets can't speak, they cannot tell us if they feel sick or have any other indicators of internal illness. We need to examine them every 6 to 12 months, and also recommend some routine screening tests to detect underlying disease BEFORE it is clinically apparent.

Pets will often actively mask signs of illness until late in the course of disease. This stems from survival instincts in a pack or colony situation.

Use the age chart below to find your pets age in "people" years and the screening testing recommended for each stage of his or her life. If your pet is on medication for arthritis or other chronic disease, more frequent exams or other testing may be recommended.

We believe the following tests give us the best chance of helping your pets live longer, healthier lives.

These are approximations and may vary by gender, species and breed.

Blue/ Lilac	Every 12 months - Annual Physical Exam Every 12 months - Urine Specific Gravity (a urine test to check how well the kidneys concentrate urine - there is no charge for this test if a urine sample is provided at the time of exam)
Green	Every 12 months - Annual Physical Exam Every 12 months - Annual Health Profile (a blood test checking red and white blood cell counts and blood chemistry) Every 12 months - Urine Specific Gravity + / - Urinalysis (a more complete check of urine including a microscopic analysis)
Yellow	Every 6 months - Annual Physical Exam Every 6 months - Urine Specific Gravity +/- Urinalysis Every 12 months - Senior Health Profile (comprehensive internal organ screen including thyroid testing, electrolytes and red and white cell counts, and urinalysis)
Red	Every 6 months - Annual Physical Exam Every 6 months - Senior Health Profile