Adult Wellness

 Along with keeping your pet up to date on vaccines, feeding them good nutritional food and providing them with plenty of exercise to help keep them in good health, an annual physical exam is recommended. A veterinarian may find something on a physical exam that could otherwise go unnoticed. Keeping your pet's testing up to date will also allow your veterinarian to provide the best care. Dogs should be heartworm tested every other year, unless our doctors recommend otherwise. Any testing for medications your pet is on should be maintained for the best interest of their health.

Canine Vaccines:

The DHLPP vaccine is given every three years with the Lepto being given every year the DHLPP is not given. The Rabies vaccines is also given every three years. If your dog is getting Lyme vaccinations those are given every year. Bordetella is given every six months or every year depending on your boarding facilities requirements. We also now offer the Canine Influenza vaccine for dogs that may be at risk. This vaccine may be recommended for breeders or owners that travel with their dogs.

Feline Vaccines:

The Rabies vaccine for felines is given every year. The PRC vaccine is given every three years. This is referred to as the feline distemper vaccine. The FeLV vaccine is given every year if this is a vaccine you are chosing to give your feline. The FeLV is recommended for felines that spend time outdoors as the disease is transferred in groups of social cats.

For more details about your pet's vaccines please talk with your veterinarian or look at the puppy/kitten wellness section on this website.

Watch for changes in your pet's behavior, it could indicate an underlying health problem. Just like people, pet's have age-related problems like cataracts or arthritis. If your pet is having trouble with normal activities, like walking they should be seen by a veterinarian. They could have a more serious problem such as a torn ligament, or a disease that is age-related or even a tick borne disease.

This is the same reason that as your pet becomes older and gets closer to the senior age a health panel is recommended. This will give the veterinarian an idea of how healthy your pet is and may show areas of concern before bigger problems occur. This step can make managing health conditions easier or even catch them early enough to prevent, slow or reverse them.

If you have a feline that suddenly starts urinating or defacating outside the litterbox they could have an Urinary Tract Infection or some disease causing the behavior. A urine sample or blood panel may reveal the underlying cause. Keep in mind that changes in a home such as moving, can cause behavior changes.

Diarrhea can be caused by many things including a change in diet. An examination of a fecal sample could reveal the underlying cause.

If you are ever concerned about the health of your pet you should contact your veterinarian.