I’m Kayla, and I’ve got two furry chaos makers: Max, my sweet mutt with big cartoon eyes, and Luna, my cat who thinks she pays the mortgage. We do yearly wellness exams, and sometimes twice for the older years. I used a Banfield plan for one year, then moved to a small local clinic. Both had perks. Both had quirks. Here’s what actually happened to us.
If you want an even deeper dive into the ins and outs of routine check-ups, I shared more details in My Honest Take on Pet Wellness Exams.
The day Max’s “itchy ear” turned into a save
Max hates the scale. He does that full-body lean like it’s quicksand. On our first wellness exam at Banfield inside PetSmart, the tech bribed him with peanut butter. It worked. Barely.
The vet checked his ears, then paused. She said, “He’s got yeast in this ear. Early stage.” I hadn’t noticed more than a head shake. We got drops, a cleaner, and a printout with pictures. The ear cleared up in a week. No big drama. No costly emergency. That felt like a win.
They also updated his vaccines, clipped nails, and microchipped him that same day. He got a bandana. I got a bill and a sticker that said “Brave Boy.” I kept both.
Luna’s exam that made me slow down
My cat, Luna, is a feather-weight diva. At our small neighborhood clinic, she hid under my hoodie like a burrito. The vet moved slow, warmed the stethoscope, and spoke soft. She heard a slight heart murmur. She didn’t scare me. She just said, “Let’s watch it.”
We did bloodwork. All normal. We tweaked her diet. Less crunchy treats, more wet food for hydration. Six months later, murmur sounded the same—soft, steady. No panic. Just a plan. You know what? That care style calmed me down, too.
Also, that same visit, they noticed tartar on a back tooth. I couldn’t see it at home. We booked a dental cleaning a month later. Pricey, yes. Her breath? Way less dragon.
What actually happens during a wellness exam
Different clinics do things their way, but this has been common for us:
- Weight check and a body feel (ribs, belly, joints)
- Ears, eyes, teeth, and gums
- Heart and lungs with the stethoscope
- Skin and coat check (fleas, bumps, weird rashes)
- Vaccine updates if needed
- A fecal test (bring a tiny poop sample in a clean bag)
- Heartworm test for dogs; sometimes a urine test, too
- A talk about food, meds, and behavior
Need a vet-authored refresher before your next appointment? Check out this detailed guide to preparing for a pet wellness exam.
It’s a lot in 20–40 minutes. Ask questions. I always forget one, so I keep a note on my phone.
The good stuff I noticed
- They catch little things before they get big. That ear issue? Easy fix because we saw it early.
- Staff kindness matters. A calm tech can change your whole day—and your pet’s.
- Follow-up texts help. One clinic used PetDesk, which sent reminders that didn’t feel like spam.
- My kids felt included. The vet let them hold the stethoscope. It sounds like ocean waves, by the way.
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What bugged me (because nothing’s perfect)
- Upsells. Some clinics push add-ons. I get it, but I like a clear reason first.
- Waiting rooms can be loud. Max shakes when a big dog howls. Early morning slots helped.
- Cost creep. A “quick visit” grows once tests get added. Not sneaky, just real life.
What I paid (real numbers from my bills)
- Exam fee: $65–$90
- Fecal test: around $35
- Heartworm test: about $45
- Vaccines: usually $25–$40 each
- Bloodwork panel: $110–$160
- Urine test: $40–$60
- Dental cleaning (with anesthesia): our range was $500–$900, depending on extra work
One year, the Banfield plan did cut costs for vaccines and basic tests, but canceling early had a fee. Later, the small clinic felt calmer, and I liked seeing the same vet each time. Trade-offs.
Tiny tricks that made visits easier
- Bring a fresh poop sample. Saves time and money.
- For cats: a soft towel in the carrier. A little fleece. Spray the carrier with a calming spray at home and let it dry.
- Skip breakfast if they need bloodwork. Ask first.
- Bring high-value treats. Cheese cubes for Max? Like magic.
- Book the first slot of the day if your pet gets nervous.
- Ask for a tech visit for quick nail trims later. Fast and cheap.
Also, season stuff matters. In spring, our vet checks for ticks. In late summer, we talk about allergies. In winter, Luna’s water intake drops, so we add a tiny bit of warm water to her wet food. Simple tweaks.
Do you really need wellness exams?
Short answer: I do. If you want a clear breakdown of potential costs and what to expect, check out PetCare Services for a free, vet-approved checklist. Puppies and kittens need more visits the first year, then once a year is common. Seniors? Twice a year can catch things early. For another pet-parent perspective on why these visits matter, this article on pet wellness exams breaks down the benefits in plain language. If money is tight, tell the clinic what you can pay for now and what can wait. A good vet will help you rank things. For more insight on stretching dollars without sacrificing care, No More Homeless Pets Vet—My Honest Take is a solid read.
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My final word (and a gentle nudge)
I give wellness exams a 4.5 out of 5. Peace of mind is worth a lot. The early catches saved us stress and bigger bills. I had one pushy sales pitch, sure, but I learned to say, “Not today.”
Would I go again? Yep. With snacks, a list of questions, and a towel for Luna. And a little humor doesn’t hurt. Pets feel us, you know? If I breathe slow, Max does, too.
If you’ve been putting it off, book a morning spot. Bring that poop sample. Ask the weird questions. Your future self might thank you—with a dog who isn’t scratching his ear at 2 a.m., and a cat who actually purrs on the way home.
—Kayla Sox