Adult Pets

Well Care for Adult Pets

Regular medical care is the best gift you can give your pet. Wellness care helps ensure that your pet stays as healthy as possible and avoids becoming ill.

Wellness care includes routine physical examinations and timely laboratory screening tests.

For adult pets less than 7 years old, we suggest appointments at least once a year. These appointments include a discussion of your pet’s history, a thorough physical exam, intestinal parasite screening, and vaccines tailored to your pet’s lifestyle, health, and environment. Additionally, we will address the need for flea and other parasite prevention for your pet.

For pets older than 7 years of age, we suggest exams at least twice a year, along with appropriate laboratory screening tests. Many common old age conditions, if caught early, can be treated, potentially minimizing associated problems.

To protect the health of your pet and your family, routine laboratory assessment includes screening for intestinal parasites in pets of all ages, including indoor only pets (visit www.petsandparasites.com).

In addition, regular comprehensive laboratory tests for pets are suggested to check for changes that signal abnormalities in the liver, kidney, pancreas, thyroid, and other body organs. Many problems can be successfully managed if detected early, before your pet shows external signs of disease.

An important part of well care is your pet’s individual medical and life history. This history helps our doctors understand how your pet is feeling and how he or she interacts with you at home. Please be sure to ask any questions or raise concerns regarding your pet during the appointment.

If you choose a convenient drop-off exam, please thoroughly complete the drop-off appointment questionnaire and leave a phone number where we can reach you throughout the day, as the doctor will be calling you with questions, exam findings, and recommendations. This information will also be supplied to you in a written report when you pick up your pet.

Laboratory screening, vaccinations, and parasite prevention plans are tailored by our doctors to the specific needs of your pet. Their recommendations take into account a pet’s age, general health, prior vaccinations, living environment, travel history, and other risk factors.

We suggest Junior Wellness Screening blood work for pets under age 7 years, and highly recommend Senior Wellness Screening blood work for pets age 7 years and older.

Some vaccines are given annually, while others are now recommended every three years.

To help protect your pet and your family, parasite prevention is recommended year around (see www.capcvet.org).

Our doctors will let you know when vaccine boosters and laboratory screening are needed, and we’ll send you a postcard or e-mail reminder.