Wellness & Preventive Care

Overview

Your veterinarian follows your pet through the many phases of his/her life. From specialized and preventive care during the younger years to regular wellness checks as they age in order to prevent and detect problems before they arise. Your pet is important to you, that is why your veterinarian will work hard to ensure they are given only the best in care throughout their life.

It is required your pet has a current examination within the past year. We believe strongly in preventive care and have developed wellness protocols for every stage of the life of your pet. Depending on your pet’s life stage, vaccines may be administered, as well as disease screenings. This may include vaccinations, diagnostic screenings such as radiographs or bloodwork, or additional assessments or services.

Why are wellness exams important?

Wellness exams give your veterinarian a chance to evaluate the overall health of your pet while also giving a baseline for their own unique bodies and tendencies. It also allows the detection of potential problems before they become serious, and helps your pet be more familiar with the veterinary hospital, making future visits easier on them and you.

When should my pet visit the vet?

Preventive medicine is the best approach to keeping your pet healthy. This includes annual wellness examinations, vaccinations, external and internal parasite prevention, and dietary management. Your veterinarian will help determine what vaccinations are appropriate according to you and your pet’s needs. He/she will discuss in detail what your options are to help you make the best possible health decisions for your pet.

How do wellness exams work?

During a wellness exam, your veterinarian will perform a comprehensive examination of your pet from nose to tail and may also perform diagnostic tests such as blood work, urinalysis, or intestinal parasite tests. Depending on your pet’s life stage, vaccines may be administered, as well as disease screenings for heartworm, kidney, liver, blood disorders, and more.

Wellness examinations allow the doctor to monitor health and any issues or concerns as they arise. Your veterinarian can record and analyze baseline values such as temperature, body condition, and lab work and make recommendations if needed. These are measured when your pet is healthy in order to provide better care in the event of illness or emergency. A dental health exam and a weight check are always important parts of a wellness exam, and may indicate problems that can progress rapidly and have significant impact on your pet's overall health.

Early detection and correction of medical problems can help your pet live a longer, healthier, and more active life.