At Jog Lantana Animal Clinic, we believe prevention is one of the most meaningful ways to care for your pet. A wellness visit gives us time to understand what is normal for your dog or cat, recognize changes early, and make thoughtful decisions together before a concern becomes more difficult to manage.
Our goal is simple: help pets enjoy more healthy, comfortable years with the people who love them. Early care may also help families avoid the distress and expense that can come with treating a condition after it has progressed. No examination can prevent every illness, but regular visits give us more opportunities to act while options may be simpler.
What Happens During a Wellness Exam?
Dr. Miriam Delbene evaluates your pet as an individual. The visit includes a physical examination and a conversation about changes you may have noticed at home. Depending on your pet’s age, health history, and lifestyle, we may discuss:
- Weight, body condition, nutrition, and activity
- Heart and lung health
- Teeth, gums, ears, eyes, and skin
- Mobility, comfort, and signs of pain
- Appetite, thirst, urination, and bowel habits
- Behavior and changes in daily routines
- Vaccinations and parasite prevention appropriate for your pet
- Screening tests that may help establish a baseline or investigate a concern
This is also your opportunity to ask questions. You know your pet’s habits better than anyone, and even a small change you have noticed can be important.
Why Visit When Your Pet Seems Healthy?
Dogs and cats cannot tell us when something feels different, and some health problems develop gradually. A pet may still eat, play, and seem comfortable while changes in weight, dental health, mobility, or laboratory results are beginning to emerge.
Regular examinations help us compare today’s findings with your pet’s previous visits. That continuity matters: a change over time may be more informative than a single finding viewed on its own. When we identify a concern early, we can discuss what it means and whether monitoring, additional testing, or treatment is appropriate.
Wellness Care Through Every Life Stage
Puppies and kittens need a series of early visits to support healthy development and establish an individualized plan for vaccinations, parasite prevention, nutrition, and behavior. Adult pets benefit from ongoing examinations even when they appear well.
As pets get older, their needs can change more quickly. Dr. Delbene may recommend more frequent visits for senior pets or those living with chronic conditions, taking into account their health, medications, and previous findings. We will explain the recommended schedule for your pet rather than applying the same plan to every patient.
Preventive Testing With a Purpose
A physical examination tells us a great deal, but it cannot reveal everything happening inside the body. When appropriate, Dr. Delbene may recommend blood screening, a complete urinalysis, fecal testing, or other diagnostics to establish a baseline, monitor an existing condition, or investigate a change.
JLAC works exclusively with IDEXX for laboratory testing. We offer in-house testing when timely results may guide care, as well as preventive laboratory packages at affordable prices that are generally sent to the IDEXX reference laboratory. We will discuss which tests are useful for your pet and explain the results in the context of the complete medical picture.
A Plan That Fits Your Pet and Your Family
Prevention is not about recommending every available test or treatment. It is about choosing care that makes sense for your pet’s age, lifestyle, medical needs, and your priorities. We explain our recommendations, answer your questions, and work with you on a practical plan.
Whether your pet is due for a routine examination or you have noticed a subtle change, we would be glad to see them. The sooner we understand what is happening, the more thoughtfully we can help.
You may also call us at (561) 964-3144.
Healing Hands & Caring Hearts for Your Pets. It’s Our Promise to You!