WELLNESS AND VACCINATION PROGRAMS

FLEA PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Fleas pose a spectrum of problems for pets, ranging from minor inconveniences to potentially life-threatening situations. These relentless parasites not only trigger intense itching, irritation, and allergies in animals but also serve as vectors for transmitting tapeworms and diseases. Their reach extends beyond just dogs and cats, as fleas can infest a variety of animals, including ferrets, mice, and rats. What's more, fleas aren't content to stay on pets alone; they can also bite humans. For a deeper understanding of this issue, please feel free to reach out to us or refer to the comprehensive flea article available in the Pet Health Library on our website.

Naturally, you'd want to shield your pet and your home from these bloodthirsty intruders. Whether you seek to prevent a flea infestation or need assistance in eradicating an existing problem, we're here to help. Contact us to explore effective flea control and elimination strategies or to initiate preventive measures for your pet today. Your pet's comfort and well-being are our top priorities.

HEARTWORM PREVENTION

Mosquitoes, when they bite, have the potential to transmit heartworm infection, which can wreak havoc on your dog or cat. These parasites can inflict severe and sometimes fatal damage to the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Notably, some pets may remain asymptomatic, while others may exhibit a wide range of symptoms.

In dogs, heartworm disease can manifest with symptoms ranging from coughing, fatigue, and weight loss to breathing difficulties and abdominal swelling due to fluid accumulation from heart failure. Severe cases of canine heartworm infection can lead to a life-threatening condition called "caval syndrome," a form of liver failure, often resulting in fatality without immediate surgical intervention.

While it's commonly believed that cats are not susceptible to heartworm infection, they can indeed contract heartworms. Cats may experience a condition known as heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD), which presents with subtle symptoms that can mimic asthma or allergic bronchitis. Common indicators include respiratory distress, such as rapid or labored breathing, wheezing, and panting, as well as symptoms like coughing, vomiting (usually unrelated to eating), and appetite or weight loss. Diagnosing heartworm infection in cats is more challenging compared to dogs.

It's crucial to note that treatment for heartworm infection is significantly more expensive than prevention and can pose a risk to your dog's life. Unfortunately, there is no approved treatment for cats, and some cats may spontaneously eliminate the infection, while others may not survive it. Even a small number of adult heartworms in a cat can lead to serious complications.

Thankfully, there's a simple way to safeguard your dog or cat: administering monthly heartworm preventives. Most heartworm medications also offer protection against various other parasites, including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, ear mites, fleas, and ticks. We can recommend the most suitable preventive regimen for your pet's needs, ensuring their continued well-being.

TICK PREVENTION

Ticks are increasingly on the rise in North America, even appearing in regions where people and pets have not traditionally encountered them. These parasites are more than just a nuisance; they can transmit severe and occasionally fatal diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and tick paralysis. If your pet exhibits symptoms such as coughing, joint pain, difficulty breathing, fever, weakness, loss of appetite, weight, energy, or coordination, it's imperative to reach out to us promptly.

The most effective means of keeping ticks at bay is by consistently administering a tick preventive to your dog or cat. Even indoor-only pets are susceptible because ticks can hitch a ride inside on your clothing or shoes. Tick preventives are both safe and highly proficient in controlling ticks and the diseases they carry. Contact us today to ensure your pet's protection.

Should you discover a tick on your dog or cat, there's no need to panic, even if your pet is on preventive medication. Some preventives eliminate ticks after they come into contact with your pet. Since ticks can easily conceal themselves under your pet's fur, we recommend routinely inspecting your pet for ticks each time they return indoors as an additional layer of defense. Don't hesitate to ask us any questions you may have; we're here to help.

PUPPY WELLNESS

Congratulations on the addition of your new puppy to your family! We sincerely appreciate your choice in entrusting us with the care and protection of your furry companion.

Our comprehensive puppy wellness program is meticulously crafted to guide your puppy toward a healthy and fulfilling life. The initial months of your puppy's life are crucial for their development, and we are here to provide you with the guidance and resources essential for nurturing a well-behaved and thriving dog. This includes valuable information and advice on topics such as nutrition, training, behavior, and socialization.

It is imperative to schedule your puppy's first examination as soon as possible. Until your puppy has completed a series of vaccinations, they remain vulnerable to a range of serious yet preventable diseases. Rest assured, we will ensure your new canine friend is safeguarded against diseases like rabies, distemper, and parvovirus, among others. Additionally, your puppy will undergo testing and treatment for common parasites, which are prevalent in young dogs.

Most puppies are susceptible to roundworms, intestinal parasites that can lead to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues (although dogs may carry these worms without displaying symptoms). Treating puppies for roundworms is essential not only to eliminate the infection but also to prevent potential transmission to you and your family. Roundworms are zoonotic parasites, meaning they can be transmitted from pets to people. By ensuring proper treatment for your puppy, you contribute to the safety of your entire household, protecting them from these and other parasitic threats.

We eagerly anticipate meeting your new puppy and embarking on this journey together. Please don't hesitate to schedule your appointment today; we are here to provide the best care and support for your beloved pet.

KITTEN WELLNESS

Warmest congratulations on the delightful addition of your new kitten to your family! We extend our heartfelt gratitude for selecting us as your trusted partner in caring for and safeguarding your precious new family member.

Our comprehensive kitten wellness program is thoughtfully designed to provide your kitten with the best start toward a healthy and fulfilling life. The initial few months of your kitten's life are a pivotal period in their development, and we are here to offer unwavering support and guidance, equipping your furry friend with the tools needed to grow into a well-behaved and thriving cat. This includes valuable insights and advice covering aspects such as nutrition, litterbox training, and behavior.

It is of paramount importance to schedule your kitten's inaugural examination at your earliest convenience. Until your kitten has completed a series of vital vaccinations, they remain vulnerable to several serious yet entirely preventable diseases. Be assured that we will take every measure to ensure your new pet is fortified against diseases like rabies and panleukopenia (distemper). Depending on your cat's specific risk factors, we may also recommend vaccinations for additional diseases, such as feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Furthermore, your kitten will undergo essential testing and treatment for common parasites, which frequently affect young cats.

Most kittens are susceptible to roundworms, intestinal parasites that can trigger symptoms such as coughing, weight loss, and a distended appearance in cats (though they may remain asymptomatic). It is imperative to treat kittens for roundworms, not only to eradicate the infection but also to shield both you and your family from potential transmission. Roundworms are classified as zoonotic parasites, meaning they can be transmitted from pets to people. By ensuring the proper treatment for your kitten, you take crucial steps to safeguard the well-being of your entire family.

We are eagerly looking forward to meeting your new kitten and embarking on this wonderful journey together. Please don't hesitate to schedule your appointment today. We are here to provide the highest quality care and support for your cherished companion.

ADULT PET WELLNESS

Scheduling your pet for an annual diagnostic and wellness checkup serves as a vital measure to ensure the well-being of your dog or cat. It offers you peace of mind regarding your pet's health and aids in the early detection of concealed diseases or conditions. Timely identification of these issues can significantly enhance the prognosis, manage medical costs, and contribute to your pet's extended lifespan. Many dogs and cats are adept at concealing signs of illness, making it easy to overlook subtle changes in their health or behavior. Moreover, some diseases may remain asymptomatic in pets.

Because dogs and cats age at an accelerated rate compared to humans, regular examinations for our beloved companion animals become even more crucial. With advancing age, the risk of conditions such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hormone imbalances, and kidney and liver problems escalates.

During your pet's wellness examination, we conduct a comprehensive physical assessment, leaving no aspect of your dog or cat unchecked from nose to tail. Ensuring your pet receives the appropriate vaccinations and preventives is also a vital component of this visit. A diagnostic workup is performed, which may encompass blood, fecal, and urine tests to screen for parasites and underlying illnesses. Dental care may also be recommended for your pet. As your pet enters their senior years, we advocate for a baseline examination and diagnostic workup to establish a reference for your pet's normal health status. This enables us to monitor any deviations effectively.

While you share the most time with your pet and are their foremost expert and advocate, we encourage you to communicate any observed physical or behavioral changes or other concerns you may have about your pet's well-being.

Please contact us today to schedule your pet's comprehensive examination. If you have any inquiries, we are more than willing to provide an in-depth explanation of our adult wellness program. Your pet's health is our top priority, and we are here to provide exceptional care and support.

SENIOR PET WELLNESS

As dogs and cats advance in age, they require heightened attention and specialized care. Our senior wellness program is designed to assist your pet in maintaining their vitality and health as they grow older while enabling us to detect potential issues earlier, when they are more manageable or treatable. It's important to note that regular veterinary examinations can actually contribute to prolonging your pet's life.

The significance of early diagnosis of diseases and specific conditions remains crucial throughout your pet's life, but it becomes especially critical as your dog or cat enters their senior years. The risks associated with conditions like arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hormone imbalances, and kidney and liver problems tend to escalate with age. Additionally, it's noteworthy that dogs and cats may not manifest any signs of even severe illnesses until they have reached an advanced stage.

Determining when your pet achieves senior status can vary based on their breed and size. Smaller dogs generally enjoy longer lifespans than larger breeds, and cats often surpass dogs in longevity. Our expertise can aid you in determining your pet's current life stage.

Before your dog or cat transitions into their senior years, we strongly recommend bringing them in for an initial examination and diagnostic assessment. This establishes a baseline for your pet's normal health status, facilitating the tracking of any subsequent changes. In most instances, we advise this checkup at around 7 years of age for dogs and 8 years for cats. Subsequently, your senior pet will benefit from more frequent veterinary assessments and diagnostic evaluations.

We possess the capabilities to address a variety of age-related symptoms, including those linked to cognitive dysfunction syndrome, akin to Alzheimer's in humans. Furthermore, we can enhance your pet's quality of life in multiple ways, such as identifying and mitigating pain, offering suitable nutrition and exercise recommendations, and suggesting environmental modifications to ensure your pet's comfort.

We are dedicated to customizing a senior wellness plan tailored to your pet's individual requirements. Should you have any inquiries, we are readily available to provide a comprehensive overview of our senior wellness program. Please don't hesitate to reach out today to schedule your pet's examination. Your pet's health and well-being remain our top priorities.