ALHAMBRA, CA

Preventive Wellness Exams for Every Pet

Annual wellness exams are the foundation of your pet's long-term health. At South Pasadena Animal Hospital in Alhambra, we provide thorough nose-to-tail checkups for dogs, cats, and exotic pets — catching potential health issues early, before they become serious or costly. Prevention is the best medicine.

Why Annual Wellness Exams Matter

Catch Problems Early

Pets can't tell us when something feels wrong, and many conditions develop gradually without obvious symptoms. Annual exams allow us to detect health issues like kidney disease, heart conditions, and dental disease before they become advanced.

Keep Vaccinations Current

Wellness exams are the perfect time to update your pet's vaccinations. We'll review your pet's vaccine history and recommend any core or lifestyle vaccines they need to stay protected.

Save Money Over Time

Preventive care is far less expensive than treating advanced illness. An annual checkup that catches a developing problem early can save thousands of dollars in emergency treatment down the road.

Build a Relationship with Your Vet

Regular visits help our team get to know your pet's normal baseline, so we can spot changes more easily. They also give you a dedicated time to ask questions about diet, behavior, or any concerns you've noticed at home.

What Happens During a Wellness Exam

A wellness exam at South Pasadena Animal Hospital is a comprehensive, nose-to-tail evaluation of your pet's health. Here's what our veterinary team checks during every visit:

  • Weight and body condition — We track your pet's weight over time and assess their body condition score to identify obesity, weight loss, or nutritional concerns
  • Heart and lungs — We listen to your pet's heart for murmurs or irregular rhythms and check lung sounds for any abnormalities
  • Teeth and gums — We evaluate your pet's oral health for tartar buildup, gingivitis, tooth fractures, and other dental issues
  • Skin and coat — We check for lumps, bumps, rashes, hair loss, parasites, and signs of allergies or skin infections
  • Eyes and ears — We examine for signs of infection, inflammation, cataracts, or other eye and ear conditions
  • Abdomen — We palpate the abdomen to check the size and shape of internal organs and feel for any unusual masses
  • Joints and mobility — We assess your pet's range of motion and check for signs of arthritis or joint pain, especially in senior pets
  • Vaccinations — We review your pet's vaccine history and administer any that are due

We also take the time to discuss your pet's diet, exercise routine, behavior, and lifestyle. This conversation is just as important as the physical exam — it helps us build a personalized care plan tailored to your pet's specific needs and life stage.

Wellness Exams for Every Pet

Dog wellness exam at South Pasadena Animal Hospital, Alhambra

Dogs

Puppies, adults & seniors. Annual exams plus DHPP, rabies & lifestyle vaccines. Senior dogs (7+) benefit from twice-yearly visits.

Cat wellness exam at South Pasadena Animal Hospital, Alhambra

Cats

Indoor & outdoor cats, kittens through seniors. FVRCP, rabies & FeLV vaccines. Senior cats (10+) benefit from twice-yearly visits with bloodwork.

Exotic pet wellness exam at South Pasadena Animal Hospital, Alhambra

Exotic Pets

Reptiles, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters & small mammals all need annual checkups. Exotic pets are masters at hiding illness.

Visit Our Alhambra Clinic

We're located at 3116 W Main St in Alhambra, with free street parking right outside. Easy to reach from anywhere in Alhambra, South Pasadena, Pasadena, and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley.

Hours

Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Saturday – Sunday: Closed

Closed for lunch 1–2 PM everyday.

We also serve pet families in South Pasadena, Pasadena, San Marino, San Gabriel, and Monterey Park. Looking for a specific service? See our dog vet, cat vet, or dog dental pages.

Wellness Exam FAQ

How often does my pet need a wellness exam?

We recommend annual wellness exams for most adult pets. Puppies and kittens need more frequent visits during their first year for vaccinations and developmental checkups. Senior pets (dogs 7+, cats 10+) benefit from twice-yearly exams so we can monitor age-related changes more closely.

What's included in a wellness exam?

Every wellness exam includes a thorough nose-to-tail physical examination: weight and body condition assessment, heart and lung auscultation, dental evaluation, skin and coat check, eye and ear examination, abdominal palpation, and joint assessment. We'll also review vaccination status and discuss diet, behavior, and any concerns you have.

How much does a wellness exam cost?

Our wellness exam fees are published on our pricing page for full transparency. Additional services like vaccinations, bloodwork, or diagnostics are priced separately and always discussed with you before proceeding.

Do exotic pets need wellness exams?

Yes, absolutely. Exotic pets like reptiles, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters are very good at hiding signs of illness. By the time symptoms are visible, a condition may already be advanced. Annual wellness exams are essential for catching health issues early and ensuring your exotic pet is thriving. Visit our exotic vet page for more details.

What should I bring to my pet's wellness exam?

Please bring any previous medical records or vaccination history you have, especially if this is your first visit. For dogs, bring them on a leash. For cats, use a secure carrier. For exotic pets, bring them in their travel enclosure. It also helps to note any changes you've noticed in your pet's behavior, appetite, or bathroom habits.

At what age should my pet start getting wellness exams?

Puppies and kittens should start veterinary visits at around 6 to 8 weeks of age for their initial examination and first round of vaccinations. Exotic pets should have an initial wellness exam as soon as possible after you bring them home. After the initial puppy or kitten series is complete, annual exams are the standard.

Pet Wellness Exams in Alhambra at South Pasadena Animal Hospital

If you have been searching for a pet wellness exam in Alhambra, South Pasadena Animal Hospital provides comprehensive annual checkups for dogs, cats, and exotic pets at our clinic at 3116 West Main Street. Annual wellness exams are the single most important thing you can do to protect your pet's long-term health. They allow our veterinary team to establish a baseline for your pet's condition and detect developing health issues before they become serious or expensive to treat.

During a wellness exam at SPAH, your veterinarian will perform a thorough nose-to-tail physical examination covering weight, body condition, heart, lungs, teeth, gums, skin, coat, eyes, ears, abdomen, and joints. We'll update any due vaccinations, discuss parasite prevention, and review your pet's diet and lifestyle to ensure they're on the right track. For senior pets, we may recommend additional bloodwork to screen for age-related conditions like kidney disease, thyroid imbalances, and diabetes.

One aspect of our practice that sets us apart is our ability to provide wellness exams for exotic pets alongside dogs and cats. Reptiles, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and other small mammals all benefit from regular veterinary checkups. Exotic animals are particularly good at masking signs of illness, which makes annual exams even more critical for early detection. We're one of the few clinics in the Alhambra area that provides veterinary care for exotic pets.

Led by Dr. Sylvia Chiang and Dr. Gina Navia, our team takes the time to answer every question and explain our findings clearly. We believe that an informed pet owner is the best partner in their pet's health care. Our pricing is published online for full transparency, and we'll always discuss any recommended services before proceeding.

To schedule your pet's wellness exam, book online or call us at (626) 441-1314. We serve pet families throughout Alhambra, South Pasadena, Pasadena, San Marino, San Gabriel, and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley.

Ready to Book Your Pet's Wellness Exam?

Schedule your pet's annual checkup online in under a minute, or call us and our team will find a time that works for you.

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