As a new pet owner, you’re probably soaking up every adorable antic and cuddle from your furry companion. They seem healthy, full of energy, and perfect in every way. So you might wonder, “Do they really need to go to the vet already if they seem fine?” I get it. I was there too, with my then-young cat, Maserati.
Maserati was just under a year old and the picture of health. True to his name, he zoomed around the house, purred like a motor, and ate like a champ. I didn’t see a single thing that seemed off.
Then came a routine wellness check. Honestly, it was the kind of appointment I might have skipped if I’d been thinking, “He’s fine, why bother?” But during the exam, the vet noticed something subtle. Something I never would have picked up on. The diagnosis? Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a serious heart condition.
The news floored me. Maserati had zero symptoms. No slowing down, no loss of appetite, nothing that hinted at a problem. That’s the scary thing about certain illnesses: pets can be masters of disguise, hiding discomfort until it’s too late. The vet told me that without medication, Maserati probably wouldn’t have lived past five years old.
That routine checkup, the one I might have skipped, ended up saving his life. His illness was found not because he looked sick, but because a trained professional knew what to look for, even when I didn’t. And that proactive care has given me years I might never have had with him.
If you’re a new pet owner wondering if that routine vet visit for your healthy-looking dog or cat is worth it, let my story be your answer: yes, it is. It’s not overprotective. It’s responsible. And it could make all the difference.
