Healthy adult dogs and cats need a wellness exam once a year, and puppies, kittens and seniors more often, so small changes are caught while they are still small. Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Ballantyne is a vet clinic on Ballantyne Commons Parkway in Charlotte, North Carolina, that does yearly wellness exams for dogs and cats, with the vet working through the body system by system and explaining findings as they go.
Pets hide discomfort well. A tooth starting to crack, a new heart murmur, or a pound gained or lost are easier to manage when found early.
Call (980) 300-6982 or book online.
What does the vet check at a yearly wellness exam?
At Petfolk Ballantyne, a wellness exam covers nine areas, nose to tail.
Weight and body condition. The vet weighs your pet and feels the ribs, spine and waist. Extra weight strains joints; unplanned weight loss can be an early sign of thyroid, kidney or dental trouble.
Eyes. Cloudiness, redness, discharge and pupil size.
Ears. Odor, redness, wax and debris. Ear infections are common in dogs with allergies and floppy ears.
Mouth and teeth. Tartar, red gums, loose or broken teeth. The dental care page explains what happens next if the vet sees gum disease.
Heart and lungs. Murmurs (a whooshing sound from turbulent blood flow), irregular rhythms and crackles in the lungs.
Lymph nodes and skin. Swollen nodes, fleas, ticks, hot spots and new lumps, measured so they can be compared next time.
Belly. Gentle pressure checks the liver, kidneys, spleen and bladder, and looks for pain.
Joints and gait. Stiffness after rest or a shorter stride on one side can be early arthritis.
Behavior and habits. Appetite, thirst, bathroom habits, energy and sleep. Drinking more water than usual is one of the most useful clues you can report.
Who comes in for wellness exams at Petfolk Ballantyne?
About 1 in 4 Ballantyne wellness visits (26%) was a pet's very first visit with Petfolk, and about 1 in 4 (26%) was for a puppy or kitten under a year old, from October 2025 to September 2026. Four in five wellness visits at Petfolk Ballantyne in that period (80%) included at least one vaccine.
If you are new to the clinic, perhaps after a move from Mint Hill or out of state, bring your pet's old records. Last year's weight, lab results and lump measurements give the vet something to compare against.
Which screening tests fit my pet's age?
Heartworm test (dogs): yearly, even on prevention. The American Heartworm Society recommends year-round prevention and annual testing for all dogs.
Fecal exam: at least once a year to check for intestinal parasites.
Blood work and urine test: a baseline in young adults, then yearly for middle-aged and senior pets.
Which vaccines and paperwork come up at a checkup?
At a Petfolk Ballantyne checkup, the vet updates core vaccines and talks through lifestyle ones, such as Bordetella for dogs that board or go to daycare. In North Carolina, the first rabies booster is due one year after the first shot, then every one or three years by the vaccine label (10A NCAC 41G .0101). Dogs, cats and ferrets four months and older in Charlotte and unincorporated Mecklenburg County also need a pet license, which requires proof of current rabies vaccination. Ask for a copy of the updated record before you leave.
Will return for annual wellness visits & immunizations, as the doctors & staff are amazing!
Denise P., Google review
How do I get the most from the visit?
Write down any changes you have noticed, even small ones.
Bring a list of food, treats, supplements and medicines.
Bring a fresh stool sample if the vet asks for one.
For nervous pets, mention it when you book. The team uses Gentle Handling, with treats, a slower pace and fewer people in the room.
You get an estimate before any tests or vaccines are given. The AAHA publishes the preventive care guidelines many vets follow.
What if my pet gets sick before the checkup?
Don't wait for the wellness exam. Book a sick visit at Petfolk Ballantyne for a new problem, and go to a 24-hour emergency hospital if your pet has trouble breathing, collapses or has a seizure.
How do I book a wellness exam in Ballantyne?
A vet in Ballantyne can check your pet from nose to tail at a yearly wellness exam. Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Ballantyne is at 5335 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Suite 150, Charlotte, NC 28277. Call (980) 300-6982 or book online.
Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Ballantyne, or see all veterinary services in Ballantyne.
Checkup questions, answered
Checkups on Ballantyne Commons Parkway