Pets are biologically programmed to mask illness and pain. This instinct is rooted in their evolutionary history: in the wild, an animal that shows weakness becomes a target for predators. Domestic pets retain this instinct deeply, meaning they will often eat, play, and maintain their normal social behaviour even when dealing with significant internal illness or chronic pain.

This is not deception — it is survival biology. But it means that relying on your pet’s outward behaviour as your sole indicator of their health will almost always result in missing things that are genuinely important.

Consider these realities:

• Early kidney disease in cats produces no symptoms until approximately two-thirds of kidney function has already been lost
• Heart murmurs in dogs can be present for months or years before causing any clinical signs
• Dental disease is painful and progressive, but most pets continue eating through significant oral pain
• Early cancer is frequently asymptomatic — many tumours are discovered incidentally during wellness examinations

A wellness exam finds these things. A visit driven only by visible illness usually does not — not until significant damage has already occurred.

What Actually Happens During a Pet Wellness Exam at Diamond Claw

A wellness examination is far more thorough than most owners expect. At Diamond Claw, a comprehensive wellness visit includes:

Complete Physical Examination — Nose to Tail

Your veterinarian systematically evaluates every body system:

Eyes: Clarity, pupil responses, signs of pressure changes, surface changes, and retinal assessment in some cases.

Ears: Presence of infection, inflammation, mite infestation, foreign bodies, or early signs of chronic ear disease — common in floppy-eared breeds and particularly in Sharjah’s humidity.

Mouth and teeth: Assessment of gum colour and health, plaque and tartar level, tooth integrity, and signs of oral infection — the most common condition diagnosed in adult pets and one of the most commonly missed.

Lymph nodes: Palpation of key lymph nodes throughout the body — early enlargement is one of the first signs of infection or lymphoma.

Heart and lungs: Auscultation (listening with a stethoscope) to assess heart rate, rhythm, and the presence of murmurs or abnormal breath sounds.

Abdomen: Gentle palpation to assess organ size, consistency, and the presence of pain, masses, or distension.

Skin and coat: Assessment of coat quality, skin condition, signs of parasites, lumps, lesions, and allergic skin disease — a very common condition in UAE pets.

Musculoskeletal system: Assessment of gait, joint flexibility, muscle mass, and pain responses — particularly important for detecting early arthritis in older pets.

Body weight and body condition score: A precise weight and body condition assessment at every visit allows your vet to identify trends — gradual weight loss or gain that an owner may not notice at home because they see their pet every day.

Neurological brief assessment: Basic reflexes, balance, and responses that may indicate neurological changes.

Recommended Diagnostics at Wellness Visits

Based on your pet’s age, species, breed, and health history, your vet may recommend adding:

Blood work (complete blood count and chemistry panel): Assesses red and white blood cell health, kidney function, liver function, blood sugar, electrolyte balance, and more. This is how kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, anaemia, and infection are detected before visible symptoms develop.

Urinalysis: Assesses kidney function, hydration, the presence of infection, crystals, or protein — critical for cats in particular, who are highly prone to kidney disease.

Faecal parasite screen: Identifies intestinal parasites that are not always visible and that can be transmitted to human family members.

Blood pressure measurement: High blood pressure (hypertension) is common in older cats with kidney disease or hyperthyroidism, and is entirely without obvious symptoms. It causes progressive damage to the eyes, kidneys, heart, and brain if undetected.

Thyroid testing: Recommended for cats from middle age onward, given the high prevalence of hyperthyroidism in older felines.

Vaccination and Parasite Prevention Review

Every wellness visit includes a review of your pet’s vaccination status — ensuring that core vaccines including the legally required rabies vaccination are current — and an assessment of whether parasite prevention protocols are appropriate and up to date.

Nutrition and Weight Assessment

Your vet will assess your pet’s current diet, feeding amounts, body condition score, and weight trend — recommending adjustments if your pet is underweight, overweight, or if their nutritional needs have changed with age or health status.

A Conversation About What You Have Noticed at Home

You are with your pet every day. You notice things a vet cannot observe in a 20-minute visit. Every wellness exam includes time for you to share anything that has changed, however small it seems — changes in sleep, appetite, drinking, energy, mood, or toileting habits. These details are clinically valuable.