">

An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure

pet wellness and vaccines

Regular wellness exams are one of the most important things you can do to keep your pet healthy. We believe strongly in preventive care and have developed wellness protocols for every stage of your pet’s life.

One of the most important reasons to bring your pet in on a regular basis is to monitor and treat conditions before they become untreatable. Since pets can’t vocalize how they are feeling, illness or disease may be present before you are aware of symptoms. The benefit of early detection allows time for steps to be taken to manage or correct a problem before irreversible damage occurs.

During a wellness exam, your veterinarian will ask for a complete history of your pet’s health, including:

Our veterinarian will also perform a comprehensive examination of your pet from nose to tail. Typical comprehensive wellness exams include obtaining a weight; temperature; ear, eye, and oral exam; abdominal palpation; chest auscultation; skin and hair coat exam; and more.

In addition, some tests may be recommended, such as:

Vaccinate to Protect Your Pet From Disease

All pets are susceptible to disease when left unvaccinated, especially puppies and kittens. Without the protection that routine vaccinations offer our cats and dogs, deadly diseases would still be commonplace. But thanks to modern vaccines, the incidence of disease has been greatly reduced and our pets can now expect to live a long and healthy life.

Common pet diseases and their vaccinations:

Aging Gracefully

Sensory changes in senior pets cause a general “slowing down.” As their major senses dull, you may find that your pet has slower responses to external stimuli. This loss of sensory perception often is a slow, progressive process, and it may even escape your notice.

Pets may also be affected mentally as they age, just as aging humans begin to forget things and are more susceptible to mental conditions. Most of these changes are rather subtle and can be addressed in a proactive manner.

Physical Changes

The physical changes are generally easier to spot than the sensory changes. As the body wears out, its ability to respond to infection is reduced, and the healing process takes longer. Many of the signs indicating that animals are approaching senior citizen status are the same for both cats and dogs, but they can indicate a variety of different problems.

A very common and frustrating problem for aging pets is inappropriate elimination. Excessive urination or incontinence may be indicative of diabetes or kidney failure, both of which are treatable if caught early enough.

Nutrition

Many older pets benefit from specially formulated food that is designed with older bodies in mind. Poor diet or overfeeding can result in an obese pet, which in turn can predispose them to other problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.

In order to help with joint lubrication and increase mobility, nutritional supplements and/or Adequan injections might be recommended by the veterinarian as well.

Exercise

Pet should definitely stay mobile as they get older. If they are cooped up or kept lying down, their bodies will deteriorate more quickly. An inactive pet is more likely to become overweight, which can make dealing with arthritis more difficult. Keeping some sort of exercise routine is good for both you and your pet. Walking, playing, even just rolling the ball for them to slowly jog over and pick up is good for them. Keep them active—mentally and physically—to keep them sharp and healthy.

Contact us today to schedule your pet’s appointment for a wellness check. A healthy pet is a happy pet, and a happy pet makes a good friend.

Services

My dog is content and comfortable when we visit the clinic. Everyone treats her gently. She does not fear the time there.
— Jean L