Most adult dogs and cats need a wellness exam once a year, puppies and kittens more often, and senior pets every six months, because pets hide discomfort and early changes are easier to treat. Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Concord is a vet clinic in Concord, North Carolina, that does nose-to-tail wellness exams for dogs and cats, with any due vaccines and tests at the same visit.
A yearly checkup gives the vet a baseline while nothing is wrong, so small changes, like sore teeth, a new heart murmur or slowly rising kidney values, stand out early.
Call (980) 360-2922 or book online.
What happens during a wellness exam at Petfolk Concord?
A wellness exam at Petfolk Concord starts with weight and body condition, a 1-to-9 score for whether your pet is lean, ideal or carrying extra weight, then a hands-on exam from nose to tail.
Eyes, ears and nose, for discharge, redness or cloudiness.
Mouth and teeth, for tartar, broken teeth and red gums.
Heart and lungs, for murmurs, irregular rhythms or crackles.
Belly, gently pressed to check organs and feel for pain or masses.
Lymph nodes, skin and coat, for lumps, parasites and dry or greasy patches.
Joints and paws, for stiffness, nail length and sore pads.
Petfolk Concord uses Gentle Handling, so nervous pets get breaks, treats and as little restraint as possible.
What do Concord wellness visits usually include?
Most wellness visits at Petfolk Concord include vaccines, and many include a lab test. From October 2025 to September 2026:
Nearly 4 in 5 Petfolk Concord wellness visits (78%) included at least one vaccine.
About 4 in 10 (42%) included a lab test, such as blood work, a heartworm test or a stool check.
About 4 in 10 (41%) were a pet's very first visit with Petfolk, and 38% were for puppies and kittens under a year old, compared with 30% across Petfolk's Charlotte-area clinics.
My baby Ken did very well with exam and vaccines.
Sharie R., Google review
How often should my dog or cat have a wellness exam?
Once a year for most adult dogs and cats. Puppies and kittens come more often while they finish their vaccine series, and senior pets (usually from about seven, earlier in large dogs) often do better with a visit every six months. The American Animal Hospital Association publishes the life-stage guidelines many vets use to set that rhythm.
Which tests and vaccines get reviewed at a checkup?
The Petfolk Concord vet checks which vaccines are due and whether each still fits your pet's lifestyle; the dog vaccines page shows the adult schedule. In North Carolina, the first rabies booster is due one year after the first shot, then every one or three years by vaccine (10A NCAC 41G .0101).
Heartworm. The American Heartworm Society recommends year-round prevention and a yearly heartworm test for all dogs.
Blood and urine. These can show early kidney, liver or thyroid changes before a pet looks sick. The blood work page explains each panel.
Stool sample. Screens for intestinal parasites.
Your answers matter too. A dog that walks the trails at Frank Liske Park on a leash or wades in creeks may need a different vaccine and parasite plan than one that stays in a fenced yard near Harris Road.
How should I get my pet ready for a checkup?
Before a checkup at Petfolk Concord, gather a few things.
A fresh stool sample in a sealed bag.
Questions you've noted in the weeks before.
Records from a shelter, breeder or previous vet.
Ask whether your pet should skip breakfast; some blood tests are more accurate after a short fast.
For cats, leave the carrier out for a few days so it feels familiar.
How much does a wellness exam cost at Petfolk Concord?
The wellness exam at Petfolk Concord starts at $99, or is included with the PetfolkCare plan, and vaccines and tests are priced separately on top. You'll see an estimate before anything is done. PetfolkCare also includes discounts on exams, vaccines and dental cleanings.
What if my pet seems sick on checkup day?
A wellness visit isn't the place for an urgent problem: if your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed or is bleeding heavily, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital. For a milder concern, tell the Petfolk Concord team when you arrive; the clinic is open 8 AM to 6 PM, seven days a week.
How do I book a wellness exam in Concord?
Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Concord is at 2425 Herrons Nest Pl NW, Suite 100, Concord, NC 28027. Call (980) 360-2922 or book online.
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Checkup questions we hear every week
Yearly checkups on Herrons Nest Place NW