Our veterinary team provides wellness exams for dogs and cats in Madison Heights, Royal Oak, Warren, Troy, Hazel Park, Ferndale, Berkley, Sterling Heights, and nearby Michigan communities.
Your Pet Can’t Tell You When Something’s Wrong. We Can Help
Your pet cannot tell you when something feels off. That is exactly why routine wellness exams are one of the most important things you can do for their health. At Madison Veterinary Hospital, our comprehensive veterinary wellness exams allow our doctors to evaluate your pet from nose to tail, catch problems before they become serious, and build the kind of ongoing relationship that makes a real difference in the quality and length of your pet’s life.
We have been caring for pets in Madison Heights and the surrounding communities for more than 50 years. In that time, we have learned that the pets who thrive long term are often the ones whose owners prioritize consistent preventive care. A wellness exam is not just a checkup. It is an investment in more healthy years with your companion.
What We Evaluate During a Wellness Exam
Our veterinarians take a thorough and systematic approach to every wellness visit. No two pets are exactly alike, and our exams reflect that. During your appointment, your veterinarian will evaluate your pet’s overall health, comfort, movement, weight, skin, coat, eyes, ears, mouth, heart, lungs, and other important health indicators.
Eyes and Ears
We look for signs of infection, inflammation, early cataracts, glaucoma, discharge, or vision changes. Ear infections and chronic ear disease are among the most common conditions in dogs and cats, and early detection can make treatment much more straightforward.
Mouth and Teeth
Dental disease affects many pets by age three and may impact more than just the mouth when left untreated. Your veterinarian will assess the health of your pet’s teeth, gums, and oral tissues at every wellness visit and make recommendations for professional dental care when needed.
Skin and Coat
The condition of your pet’s skin and coat tells us a great deal about their overall health. We check for signs of allergies, parasites, infections, lumps, masses, irritation, dryness, hair loss, and coat changes that may point to nutritional issues or underlying disease.
Heart and Lungs
Using a stethoscope, your veterinarian listens carefully to your pet’s heart rhythm and lung sounds. Heart murmurs, irregular rhythms, and early respiratory concerns can sometimes be detected during a routine exam before they cause noticeable symptoms at home.
Abdomen
Gentle palpation of the abdomen allows us to assess organ size and position, check for pain or discomfort, and identify abnormal masses, swelling, or fluid accumulation that may need further diagnostic testing.
Musculoskeletal System
We evaluate your pet’s gait, joint range of motion, muscle condition, and spinal comfort. Arthritis, orthopedic concerns, and mobility changes are common in pets of all ages and are easier to manage when identified early.
Lymph Nodes
Enlarged lymph nodes can sometimes be an early sign of infection, inflammation, or more serious disease. We check lymph node size and texture throughout the body as a routine part of every exam.
Neurological Assessment
We observe your pet’s reflexes, coordination, behavior, posture, and movement to identify any neurological concerns that may need further evaluation.
Weight and Body Condition
Obesity is one of the most common and preventable health concerns in pets. We assess your pet’s body condition score at every visit and provide honest, supportive guidance on nutrition, activity, and weight management.
Wellness Exams by Life Stage
Every pet needs preventive care, but the type of care changes with age. Puppies, kittens, adult pets, and senior pets all have different health needs, so our wellness exams are tailored to your pet’s life stage.
Puppies and Kittens
The first year of life is one of the most important times for building lifelong health. We recommend a series of wellness visits during your puppy or kitten’s first year to administer core vaccines on schedule, perform physical exams as your pet grows, discuss spay or neuter timing, address behavior and training questions, screen for congenital concerns, and talk through nutrition and parasite prevention. These early visits also help your pet become comfortable with our team and hospital environment.
Adult Pets
For healthy adult dogs and cats, we recommend a wellness exam at least once per year. Annual visits allow us to keep vaccines current, monitor weight and body condition, run baseline bloodwork when appropriate, and stay ahead of health changes before they become more serious. Even if your pet seems completely healthy, yearly wellness visits are still important, since many pets hide pain or illness.
Senior Pets
Pets age faster than people. For pets around seven years and older, we often recommend wellness exams every six months. Senior wellness visits may include a more comprehensive physical exam, bloodwork to evaluate organ function, blood pressure monitoring, urinalysis, and a conversation about quality of life, pain management, appetite, mobility, and behavior. The goal is not just to add years to your pet’s life, but to add comfort and quality to those years.
Wellness Exams and Your Madison Vet Wellness Plan
Our wellness exam services pair directly with Madison Veterinary Hospital Wellness Plans, designed to make consistent preventive care more accessible. If you’re interested in bundling annual or biannual wellness exams with vaccines, parasite prevention, and other routine care, ask our team about wellness plan options at your next visit.
What to Bring and What to Expect
Before Your Appointment
If this is your pet’s first visit, bring any previous veterinary records, vaccination history, and a list of current medications or supplements. If a fecal sample has been requested, bring one collected within 24 hours of the appointment. It also helps to note any changes at home — appetite, thirst, weight, energy, bathroom habits, coughing, scratching, limping, behavior changes, or new lumps.
During Your Appointment
Your visit begins with a check-in from a veterinary technician, who takes weight and vitals and asks about concerns noticed at home. Your veterinarian then performs the full physical exam, discusses findings, and answers your questions.
After Your Appointment
Your veterinarian provides a clear summary of findings and next steps. If diagnostics, dental care, vaccines, medication, nutrition changes, or follow-ups are recommended, we explain why and help you understand the best plan for your pet.
Trusted Preventive Care for Over 50 Years
Families across Madison Heights, Royal Oak, Warren, Troy, Hazel Park, Ferndale, Berkley, Sterling Heights, and nearby communities have trusted Madison Veterinary Hospital with their pets’ health for generations. Our commitment to compassionate, client-centered care hasn’t changed since Dr. Ronald Isaacson founded this practice in 1970, and it remains the foundation of everything we do today under Dr. Kate Levey and Dr. Andrew Rollo.
Recognized by Newsweek as one of the Best Veterinary Hospitals in America in both 2025 and 2026, and AAHA accredited, we bring a high level of care to every wellness visit.
Related Veterinary Services
Vaccinations
Lab Testing and Diagnostics
Nutritional Counselling
Pain Management
Spay and Neuter
