Let’s face it. It’s really hard to get into vet clinics these days. There just aren’t enough vets, and there are a LOT of animals in need of care. This is why it is SO important to get established with a vet. It also helps immensely with being able to get into a vet should you have an emergency.
How do you get set up with a vet? The best way to do that is to call your veterinarian and they typically will want to get your pet(s) in for a wellness exam. Here’s how it went for me:
I fell behind on vet visits for my cats, so I was no longer considered an active client. Knowing vet clinics are booking WAY out, I requested an appointment at Copper Country Vet Clinic via email, and got on the waiting list. One day a couple weeks later they called me because they had a cancellation that day and could fit one of my cats in. I rearranged a few things and got her in for her exam later that day. I lucked out and was able to get my other 2 in later in the week.
Aside from getting established and building a relationship with your vet, wellness exams are really important for your pet’s health. This is a good time to update any needed vaccinations, buy flea/tick treatment, and catch up on anything else your pet might need. This is also a great time to talk to your vet about microchipping your pet in case they get lost, as well as talk about any other concerns you might have about your pet.
Aside from the usual annual visit things, pets of particular ages, breeds, etc., are more prone to certain issues. Your vet might recommend bloodwork, certain exams, and other important tests to ensure your pet is at their best.
For instance, one of my cats is about 8 years old. As pets get older, blood tests can be wise to ensure there aren’t any underlying issues. It’s instinct for a cat to hide pain, so even if they seem perfectly fine, there could still be something going on. Thankfully, my girl’s bloodwork looked great, but if in the future she has any issues, we also have a baseline of what is normal for her.
Physical exams can also be very important. Vets examine their eyes, ears, mouths, and general body condition. A physical exam showed one of my cats needed a good ear cleaning and taking a look at what came out of her ears confirmed she doesn’t have mites or an infection. If it had, we could have gotten those treated before they started causing discomfort. One of my other cats is very elderly and we found out he has really bad teeth, so a dental was on the discussion table. Feeling on his gut also made us aware that he has a suspicious lump. Now we know we will need to get him back in for further examination to see if that lump is or is likely to cause issues and what we need to do about it BEFORE there are obvious issues.
Lyme’s and other tickborne illnesses are very common in our local area, so especially if you have an indoor/outdoor cat or a dog you take out in the woods often, even if they are on preventative, your vet might recommend a Lyme’s or other test, especially if your pet seems to be getting stiff or having other problems.
Some other tips and tricks:
- Be honest with your vet. The more information they have, the better able they are to help your pet. If your pet is not comfortable with other animals or new people, talk to the vet clinic ahead of time. They might have you come in a door where there won’t be other animals or have you do other things to make sure everyone is safe and your pet doesn’t have to deal with any more stress than necessary.
- Come prepared for your appointment. Keeping notes (even just in your phone) about any potential problems you notice in your pet can also help alert the vet to issues that could be brewing. Pets don’t tend to change habits abruptly without a reason. Sometimes it’s something environmental, but you would be surprised the things that can be caused by medical issues.
- Changes in eating, drinking, and bathroom behavior (including going where they aren’t supposed to)
- Decreased activity
- The way they move (limping, not moving right, etc)
- Any grumpiness or other signs they are unhappy/uncomfortable
- Some symptoms could be because of changes to the household or something going on to upset your pet, but it is best to first rule out a medical explanation. Even if it is something behavioral, your vet might have some ideas to help or trainers to recommend.
- Ask about preventatives. Heartworm is becoming increasingly common and is MUCH cheaper to prevent than treat. Fleas and ticks are annoying and can carry many diseases.
- Ask about microchipping your pet. While they are NOT a GPS tracker, they do contain a number that if scanned can help a vet clinic, animal shelter, etc. get your pet back to you.
The best time to get your pet into the vet can be BEFORE something happens. Catching problems before they get really bad could save your pet a lot of pain and potentially you a lot of money and heartache.
Still struggling to get your pet into a vet? Check out our other post about getting your pet in here.
*CCHS is NOT a vet clinic. We always encourage anyone with health concerns about their pet to consult a veterinarian. These are just some of our tips and tricks and not intended to be medical advice.
Rebecca Brink, CCHS Assistant Manager, ABC Certified Cat Trainer
Jan 31, 2026