Wellness Care for Your Pet
Health care is vital for your pet throughout its lifetime regardless of whether it's a kitten or an elderly animal. Puppies and kittens need routine examinations to check for growth and build immunity to common illnesses.
Pet insurance plans provide wellness coverage as an added benefit. Wellness coverage for pets differs from pet insurance on many levels.
Vaccinations
Vaccines have been recognized as saving lives more than other treatment. This is due to the fact that they stop diseases that would otherwise be life-threatening or cause significant and prolonged illness, suffering and even death. In most cases prevention is more cost-effective as well as effective than treatment.
Immunizations can be a vital part of pet care, and can prevent serious illnesses in dogs and cats as well as humans. Vaccines are prepared from dead or altered microorganisms administered into the body to trigger the immune system to react to invaders. This way, the immune system learns to identify and fight the disease-causing organism, without needing to suffer the more serious effects of infection or illness.
care pet and kittens need the full range of vaccines during their early developmental stages to strengthen their defense against infections. Our veterinarian will suggest the right vaccinations for your pet based on their age and its lifestyle.
Rabies, distemper, and parvovirus are considered core vaccines. They are considered essential for all dogs and cats, as they protect them from deadly infections that are easily transmissible to humans. The primary vaccines are administered in two injections at the age of a kitten or puppy and then boosters each year.
Other vaccinations are possible in accordance with the risk factors and lifestyle. Dogs who go to boarding and grooming kennels, dog parks, and training classes, for example, may require vaccination.
All pets are generally advised to receive the Hepatitis A vaccine and Hepatitis B and C. These vaccinations to stop the spread of many fatal diseases from animals to humans and vice versa. A combination vaccine, referred to as a DAP or FVRCP for cats and canines respectively, protects against the most common infections that can be passed between the two species. The lyme disease vaccine, which is recommended for dogs who are frequently in areas where deer are often encountered, guards against bites of the untruly named deer tick that can cause the serious bacterial infection known as Lyme disease.
Fecal Exam
A fecal exam, also known as a flotation fecal is a microscopic inspection of your pet's stool. This allows your vet to identify intestinal parasites such as whipworms, roundworms and hookworms, and giardia that aren't easily identified and can affect the health of your pet. They may also transmit to other pets and family members.
A fecal sample may be obtained in several ways. Your veterinarian may employ a specially designed fecal sample loop that is placed in the rectum, and then pulled back to obtain the sample. This method is particularly helpful in identifying worms and cysts. Your veterinarian can perform a direct test by putting a small amount on the microscope glass. The disadvantage of this type of test is that it's only accurate in the event that the feces sample isn't mixed with fat or other cellular material.
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 will float and can be seen under microscope. This method is more sensitive than direct smears, however, the results are dependent on the specifics of the procedure as well as the specimen characteristics.
Regular fecal checks are the best way to be sure that your pet doesn't have an intestinal parasite problem that could affect their health and could be spread to other animals or family members. These conditions 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.
It is important to include fecal testing in your pet's routine to ensure wellness care. It is recommended that all pets undergo a fecal test at least once a year, and more frequently for puppies and those who live in environments that are conducive to parasites. Intestinal parasites are a major cause of illness for pets that can cause diarrhea and weight loss as well as vomiting. Fecal tests can identify parasites and blood or other abnormalities that may be signs of disease or infection.
Dental Exam
Pet dental health is an essential aspect of wellness care. If you don't take care of your oral health teeth of pets could be infected and cause other health issues like bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. The conditions begin when tartar forms on the teeth and affects the surrounding tissues. The buildup could also be absorbed into bloodstreams and then travel to other organs like the kidneys, heart, and liver. This can trigger inflammation and increase the risk of contracting serious diseases. Dental cleanings and regular at-home brushing help keep your pet's dental health in check.
During a dental examination, our veterinarian will examine the teeth of your pet for indications of plaque and tartar. The veterinarian will use the tool for scaling to remove the tartar and an instrument to look for pockets beneath the gumline where periodontal diseases begin. To look at the roots and bones of the teeth, X-rays are taken of the entire mouth.
Dental exams should be scheduled at least every year, but more frequent exams are advised for those with a higher risk for dental disease or who are in their senior years. In addition to a thorough physical examination, the vet will review your pet's diet, weight, and behavior with you. The vet can provide you with information on any changes you observe in your pet. They may recommend additional tests or treatments if required.
Wellness plans are an excellent option to save money and fund preventive treatments, such as dental cleanings and heartworm tests. These plans are similar to traditional pet insurance but they pay for medical expenses that are pre-determined instead of covering a whole visit. Our veterinarians are available to go over the various plans with you.
To make an appointment for your pet, call our Spring Hill vets today! We can perform an annual wellness check as well as update vaccinations and suggest any other preventive measures your pet requires. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!
Parasite Control
If they are of the external or internal type, parasites are living organisms that feed on your pet, depriving her of essential nutrients. They can also damage her major organs and body systems, causing many uncomfortable symptoms. In extreme instances (such as heartworms) there are instances where these parasites could be fatal. Many people believe that parasites will always be an aspect of owning a pet. However, this is not true. Our veterinary team knows the most prevalent parasites in your area and will explain how they affect your pet.
Effective control of parasites in pets can greatly reduce the chance of disease transmission to other pets in the home as well as human. This means administering preventative flea and tick treatment throughout the year, using collars to keep ticks away, and grooming your dog frequently particularly after being out in the open. Inspecting her coat for indications of an infestation such as chewing, scratching, and licking, will aid in ensuring she is not afflicted by these pests that cause a lot of trouble.
Internal parasites like tapeworms and roundworms are typically acquired by accident through the ingestion of parasite eggs that have been discovered in areas that are contaminated by excrement from animals suffering from infection. These parasites may also be Zoonotic, meaning that they can be transferred from pets to people (and vice versa).
Ectoparasites such as fleas and ticks are more likely to occur in urban settings with high pet populations, but they can infest homes of all kinds. The fleas can trigger severe allergic reactions in pets, and also transmit vector-borne illnesses such as cat scratch disease (Bartonella), Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Ticks can also pose an important issue in the sense of causing painful, itchy and allergic reactions in pets as well as possibly transmitting vector-borne diseases such as Lyme disease and ehrlichia to humans.
All shelter pets should be treated with a basic internal and external parasite control plan when they first come to the shelter. This should include a prophylactic treatment that includes an oral dewormer effective against hookworms, roundworms, and ticks and fleas (Nemex or Strongid is the most commonly used drug).