Preventative Care
Adult Preventative Care
It is crucial that our companion animals receive regular exams because dogs and cats age much quicker than humans. In addition, the risks of arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hormone disorders, and kidney and liver problems all increase with age.
During your pet’s wellness exam, our doctor will perform a physical assessment, checking your dog or cat from nose to tail. Then we will recommend appropriate vaccinations and parasite preventatives for their lifestyle and risk levels. Certain diagnostic tests on blood, fecal, and urine samples may be needed to check for parasites and underlying diseases. The doctor will also inspect your pet’s teeth and gums and recommend appropriate professional and home dental care.
Because you spend the most time with your pet, you are your pet’s expert, as well as his or her greatest advocate. Please let us know if you have noticed any physical or behavioral changes in your pet, as well as any other concerns you might have. If you have any questions, we would be happy to discuss our adult wellness program in more detail.
Senior Preventative Care
Reaching senior status varies by size, breed, and species. Cats and small dogs tend to age slower than large dogs, but all dogs and cats are seniors by at least 7 years of age. When we examine your pet, we can determine if he or she has reached this life stage earlier than seven and take the appropriate action.
As dogs and cats get older, they need more attention and special care. Our senior wellness program allows us to catch potential problems earlier so we can take steps to treat them. This will help your pet to live their best and longest life. Also, most diseases are easier and less expensive to treat in their early stages. For this reason, we recommend senior pets have a preventative care exam every 6 months.
Along with more frequent exams, senior pets need blood and urine tests done annually. The risk of certain diseases; such as diabetes, heart disease, hormone disorders, kidney and liver problems; increase with age. Many dogs and cats do not exhibit any outward symptoms of some serious diseases until they are quite advanced. By performing blood and urine tests every year, we can identify abnormal trends and make treatment recommendations before a disease has progressed.
Not all diseases associated with aging can be cured, but we have many options to slow down their progress and manage their symptoms. Along with appropriate medical treatment, we can improve your pet’s quality of life by suggesting natural supplements, recommending appropriate nutrition, developing an exercise plan, and suggesting environmental modifications to keep your pet comfortable. We will tailor a senior wellness plan to your pet’s individual needs. If you have any questions, we would be happy to discuss our program in more detail.