Skip to main content

Preventative Care

Preventative Care Exams

Pets can’t tell us what’s wrong but routine physical exams can help the veterinarian detect any problems or diseases owners might not have noticed such as heart murmurs, tumors, enlarged organs, cataracts, ear infections, ear mites, dental and gum disease, skin issues and allergies.

Bringing your pets to the veterinarian for a physical exam every year is the smartest and easiest way to keep them healthy.  Exams allow your veterinarian to detect any problems before they become severe or costly.

What To Expect

PUPPY/KITTEN 1st EXAM (for puppies and kittens under 6 months of age):

  • Complete physical exam of young animals.  We will screen for common birth defects and discuss general pet health.
  • Intestinal Parasite Screening
  • Update appropriate vaccinations
  • Complimentary Puppy/Kitten Pack

PUPPY/KITTEN FOLLOW-UP EXAM (every 3 weeks for puppies and kittens until they are 16 weeks of age):

  • Brief exam completed with each puppy/kitten booster vaccine to screen for abnormalities that may develop.
  • Update appropriate vaccinations
  • Flea/Tick/Heartworm Preventive Medications

ANNUAL PREVENTIVE CARE VISIT (for cats and dogs aged 6 months and older):

  • Complete physical examination where your pet is checked from nose to tail
  • Preventive Care Screening: Level of Your Choice (details listed below)
  • Update appropriate vaccinations

Flea/Tick/Heartworm Preventive Medications​

Your Veterinarian will Check:

  • Muscular and skeletal health by feeling for healthy muscle mass and joint pain.
  • Neurologic system – it could indicate birth defects in younger pets and cognitive issues in older pets.
  • Appropriate weight and lifestyle for your pet’s age.
  • Lymph nodes – swollen nodes can indicate a wound, virus, infection or some other illness.
  • Vital signs (temperature, pulse and respiration) – an abnormal reading could indicate illness.

Skin and coat condition for growths, infection wounds and overall skin health.

Vaccinations

*Please Note* – Sick pets should be evaluated and treated prior to receiving vaccinations.  Healthy pets mount a better immune response to vaccines which provided better protection.

Canines

RABIES: required by law in most states.  Advised to protect your pet against rabies.

ANNUAL DHPP/DHLP (COMBO) VACCINE: advised as a core vaccine.  Provides protection against common respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses such as Parvovirus, Distemper, and Leptospirosis.

BORDETELLA: advised for pets that are at high risk for contracting kennel cough.  This includes pets that are taken to the groomer, for boarding, or to any area with a large number of animals.
​
BIVALENT CANINE INFLUENZA:  advised for pets that are at high risk for contracting kennel cough.  This includes pets that are taken to the groomer, for boarding, or to any area with a large number of animals.
Felines

RABIES: required by law in most states.  Advised to protect your pet against rabies.

ANNUAL FVRCP (COMBO) VACCINE: Advised as a core vaccine.  Provides protection against common respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses such as Feline Distemper and Panleukopenia.​
​
LEUKEMIA: Advised for pets that are at risk.  Outdoor cats that may be exposed to other cats (especially feral cats) are at risk for contracting this viral disease.

Preventative Screening

The cost of prevention is often a fraction of the cost of treating a disease or problem once it has become more advanced, and early diagnosis and treatment of developing problems or diseases can increase the likelihood of successful outcomes.

Preventive healthcare involves a multi-faceted approach that includes veterinary evaluation of your pet’s overall health and risks of disease or other health problems. Based on the findings, your veterinarian will provide you with tailored advice that best fits your pet’s health status and risk factors.

Preventive Care Screening – Canine
 

  • STANDARD:  CBC, Chemistry, Urinalysis, Intestinal Parasite Screening, Heartworm/Tick-Borne Disease Screening
  • COMPREHENSIVE:  CBC, Chemistry, Urinalysis, Thyroid Screening, Intestinal Parasite Screening, Heartworm/Tick-Borne Disease Screening
Preventive Care Screening – Feline
 

  • STANDARD:  CBC, Chemistry, Urinalysis, Intestinal Parasite Screening
  • COMPREHENSIVE:  CBC, Chemistry, Urinalysis, Thyroid Screening, Intestinal Parasite Screening

Explanation of Lab Testing

  • Feline Leukemia 
  • Heartworm/Tick-Borne Disease: screens for K-9 heartworms and tick-borne diseases​​
  • CBC: complete blood count that screens for anemia & underlying infection​​
  • Chemistry:  in-depth organ function screening
  • Intestinal Parasite Screening: screens for intestinal parasites commonly found in feces
  • ​Urinalysis:  screens urine for signs of infection as well as gives information on kidney function