Wellness Care for Your Pet
No matter if you're a puppy or a senior, wellness care is vital throughout your pet's life. Puppies and kittens require routine examinations to check their growth and increase their immunity.
Pet insurance plans provide wellness coverage as a supplement. Pet wellness coverage is different from pet insurance on several levels.
Vaccinations
Vaccines have been recognized as saving lives more than any other medical treatment. This is due to the fact that they stop diseases that could be life-threatening or cause significant and prolonged suffering, illness and even death. In most instances, prevention is more effective and less expensive than treatment.
Immunizations are an essential aspect of pet care and can prevent serious illnesses in cats and dogs as well as humans. Vaccines contain microorganisms which have been altered or killed and are administered to the body in order to increase the immune response. In this way the immune system is able to identify and fight the pathogen without needing to suffer the more serious consequences of infection or illness.
Puppy and kittens must be given a complete set of vaccinations at the beginning stages of development in order to build an immune system that is strong and resistant to infectious diseases. Our veterinarian will recommend the correct vaccines for your pet based on their age and lifestyle.
Rabies, distemper and parvovirus are considered core vaccines. They are vital for all cats and dogs as they guard against deadly infections that can be easily transferred to humans. The vaccines are administered in two doses during puppy or kittenhood and then boosters are given every year.
Non-core vaccinations are recommended according to the type of lifestyle and risk factors. Dogs who frequent grooming and boarding kennels, training classes and dog parks for instance, could require vaccination.
pet and home care , Hepatitis B, and hepatitis C vaccines are also typically recommended for all pets. They help prevent a number of deadly diseases that can be passed from animals to humans and vice from one to the other. A combination vaccine referred to as a DAP (or FVRCP) for cats or dogs protects against common infections that can be passed between the two species. The lyme vaccination, recommended for dogs that travel in areas with many deer, guards them from bites from the deer tick, also known as the deer tick. It can cause a serious bacteria-related infection.
Fecal Exam
A fecal examination, sometimes called a fecal floatation, is a microscopic look at your pet's stools. This allows your veterinarian to detect intestinal parasites like roundworms and hookworms. They could also be transmitted to your pet's family members.
There are many methods to collect an fecal sample. pet and home care may use the specialized fecal loop, which is put into the rectum, and then pulled back to collect the collection of a sample. This method is especially useful in identifying cysts and worms. Your veterinarian may also perform an smear that is direct, spreading a small amount of your pet's feces onto the microscope slide. This type of test has the disadvantage that it will only be reliable if there is no cells or fat in the sample.
A centrifugal flotation test is another method. The test is conducted on the fecal sample to determine the presence of parasite eggs by mixing it with a special solution. The eggs then appear to float and are visible under microscope. This method is more sensitive than direct smears, however, the results depend on the details of the procedure and specimen characteristics.
Annual fecal examinations are the best way to be sure that your pet does not have an intestinal parasite problem that can affect their health and can be transmitted to other animals or family members. These infections can be uncomfortable for your pet and can cause more serious health issues that require treatment. Some intestinal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms can be transmitted to humans and pose a significant health risk.
Fecal testing is an important and easy part of your pet's wellness care routine. Every pet should undergo fecal testing at least once a year. This is more often for puppies and animals living in a space which is conducive to parasites. Intestinal parasites are the primary cause of illness for pets that can cause diarrhea, weight loss and vomiting. The fecal tests can detect parasites and blood or other abnormalities which could be signs of illness or infection.
Dental Exam
Pet dental health is a critical part of health care. Pet teeth can get infected without proper oral care and can cause health issues like bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. The conditions start when tartar accumulates on the teeth, and affects the surrounding tissues. The buildup can also travel through the bloodstream to other organs such as kidneys, the heart, and liver. This could increase the risk of developing serious diseases and lead to inflammation. Regular brushing at home and dental cleanings can help keep your pet's teeth healthy.
During the dental exam, our veterinarian will examine your pet's mouth for evidence of tartar and plaque. The veterinarian will employ an instrument for scaling to eliminate the tartar, and then the probe will be used to examine for pockets beneath the gumline where periodontal diseases begin. To look at the bones and roots of the teeth the X-rays are taken from the entire mouth.
Dental exams should be scheduled at least once a year, but regular exams are recommended for those with a higher risk for dental disease or who have reached their older years. In addition to a comprehensive physical exam, your vet will review your pet's diet, weight, and behavior with you. The vet can give you information on any changes you might notice in your pet and may recommend additional tests or treatments if needed.
Wellness plans are a great way to cover preventive care and cut costs on regular expenses, such as wellness exams, dental cleanings, and heartworm testing. These plans are similar to traditional pet insurance but they reimburse for medical expenses that are pre-determined instead of covering an entire visit. Our veterinarians are more than happy to review the different plans with you.
Contact our Spring Hill veterinarians to schedule an appointment today! We can conduct an annual wellness check or update vaccinations, and recommend any other preventive measures your pet requires. We look forward to meeting you soon!
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If they are of the external or internal type, parasites are living organisms that feed on your pet, depriving her of vital nutrients. They can also cause serious damage to her organs and systems, which can lead to a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. In extreme cases, certain parasites (such as heartworms) can be fatal. Many people believe that parasites are a necessary part of being a pet's parent however this doesn't necessarily have to be the case. Our veterinary team is well knowledgeable about the different types of parasites to look for in your area and can help you understand how these bugs can affect your pet and what can be done to combat them.
Responsible pet parasite management can reduce the risk of spreading disease to humans and other pets within the home. This means regularly administering preventative flea and tick treatment all year long, wearing a tick collar as often as you can and grooming your pet often, particularly after she has been out. Examining for signs of parasite infestation that include chewing, scratching, or licking will help ensure that your pet is free from these parasites.
Internal parasites such as roundworms and tapeworms are usually acquired by accident through the ingestion of parasite eggs found in areas contaminated with excrement from animals suffering from infection. These parasites are also considered zoonotic. This means they can be transmitted from pets to humans (and the reverse).
The ticks and fleas can invade any house, even urban areas that have a large number of pets. They can trigger severe allergic reactions in pets, as well as transmit vector-borne illnesses such as cat scratch disease (Bartonella), Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Ticks are also a concern. They can trigger allergic reactions, cause itching, cause discomfort in pets, and can transmit vector-borne diseases such as Lyme disease to humans.
All pets in shelters should be treated with a basic external-internal parasite control plan at the time they first arrive to the shelter. This should include prophylactic treatment with at least an oral dewormer that's effective against roundworms and hookworms and an insecticide and tick preventative (Nemex and Strongid are the most frequently used products).