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Pet Examinations

Grace Animal Hospital team members examining yellow Labrador in clinic interior

If you’ve ever typed “how often should I take my dog to the vet for a checkup” into a search bar, you’re already thinking the right way. Routine wellness exams are the single most effective tool available for keeping your pet healthy long-term. The problem is that most pets are brought in only when something looks or feels wrong, and by then, conditions that were easily manageable have quietly progressed. Pets are remarkably good at masking discomfort, which means a healthy-looking animal can still be carrying early-stage disease that only a physical exam can detect.

At Grace Animal Hospital, we believe a wellness exam is not just a yearly checkbox. It is the foundation of a long, healthy life for your pet and the start of a lasting relationship between your family and our team. Our hospital at 116 Collins Crossing Road in Holly Springs, NC is open six days a week, Monday through Saturday, and we welcome walk-ins alongside scheduled appointments. You can learn more about our full range of veterinary services and what we offer at every stage of your pet’s life.

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What Happens During a Pet Examination

A wellness exam at Grace Animal Hospital is a thorough, head-to-tail assessment of your pet’s physical health. Our team works through every major body system methodically so nothing is overlooked. Here is what we evaluate during a standard exam:

Eyes & Ears
Checking for discharge, cloudiness, redness, or signs of infection and early vision changes
Mouth & Teeth
Assessing gum health, tartar buildup, tooth integrity, and any signs of pet dental disease
Heart & Lungs
Listening for irregular rhythms, murmurs, or abnormal breath sounds
Abdomen
Palpating organs for abnormal size, texture, or signs of discomfort
Skin & Coat
Evaluating for parasites, hotspots, lumps, or unusual changes in texture or pigmentation
Musculoskeletal
Assessing gait, joint mobility, muscle tone, and any signs of stiffness or pain
Weight & Body Score
Tracking trends that may indicate metabolic, thyroid, or nutritional issues
Lymph Nodes
Checking for swelling that can be an early indicator of infection or immune response

Each finding is documented and discussed with you before you leave. We also use the exam visit as an opportunity to review your pet’s vaccination status, update any parasite prevention protocols, and run any in-house diagnostic lab work that may be recommended based on your pet’s age or history.

How Often Does Your Pet Need an Exam?

The answer depends on your pet’s age, and the difference between age groups is more significant than most pet owners realize. According to the AAHA/AVMA Preventive Healthcare Guidelines, adult pets should receive a comprehensive wellness exam at least once per year. For senior pets, generally those age seven and older, twice-yearly exams are strongly recommended because the aging process in dogs and cats accelerates rapidly.

Puppies & Kittens
Every 3–4 Weeks
From 6–8 weeks through 4–5 months of age
Adult Pets
Once Per Year
Ages 1–7: annual wellness exam covers physical, vaccines, and parasite screening
Senior Pets (7+)
Twice Per Year
Bi-annual bloodwork, organ function monitoring, and heartworm screening

Puppies and kittens follow a more intensive early schedule. Young pets typically need visits every three to four weeks during their first four to five months, then transition to the annual adult schedule once they are fully vaccinated. North Carolina’s climate keeps heartworm-carrying mosquitoes active for much of the year, and prevention is always far simpler than treatment.

Finding Your First Vet in Holly Springs

Holly Springs is one of the fastest-growing towns in North Carolina, which means a lot of families are arriving here every month with pets in tow and no established veterinary relationship yet. If you have recently relocated or are simply looking for a practice that will be your forever vet, Grace Animal Hospital was built for exactly that. We are locally owned, family-oriented, and invested in building long-term relationships with the people and pets in this community. Our team is fluent in both English and Spanish, and we offer CareCredit and Cherry financing to make quality care accessible regardless of the timing.

Grace Animal Hospital is open six days a week, Monday through Saturday, with extended hours and same-day urgent care availability. Dr. Tiana Montell is a graduate of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from UC Davis, where she also served as a Division I collegiate gymnast and team co-captain. Before opening Grace, she served as Medical Director at multiple-doctor practices in Oregon and North Carolina. You can also meet the team before your first visit.

Ready to Schedule Your Pet’s Wellness Exam?
Grace Animal Hospital serves Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Apex, Cary, and surrounding areas. Walk-ins welcome. Open Monday through Saturday.

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