Many pet owners are tempted to skip their pet’s annual veterinary visit to save a few dollars, but this approach can cost you in the long run. Pets are experts at hiding disease and illness, and owners may not notice their health problems. These minor health changes can become major problems when left untreated, making them more expensive and difficult to treat. Pet wellness care facilitates disease prevention or early detection and can help extend your furry pal’s healthy years. The Woodland Springs Veterinary Hospital team shares what a successful pet wellness care plan involves.

1. Pet wellness visits

Routine wellness visits allow our team to perform a complete physical examination, update vaccinations, and check necessary diagnostic screening tests based on age and other risk factors. We recommend annual check-ups for adult pets and bi-annual visits for seniors, who are at higher disease risk than their younger counterparts. Wellness visits also allow pet owners to ask questions and solicit nutrition, behavior, husbandry, and other advice from our expert professionals. 

2. Pet diagnostic screening tests

Diagnostic screening tests complement physical examinations with internal health and organ function evaluations. Recommendations vary based on age, species, and lifestyle, but may include:

  • Blood work
  • Urinalysis
  • Heartworm test
  • Fecal parasite test
  • Blood pressure screening
  • Heart function tests

3. Pet vaccinations

Vaccinations protect pets from contagious diseases by teaching their immune systems to recognize and efficiently destroy specific bacteria or viruses. Vaccines also help provide “herd immunity” and reduce disease incidence in the community while protecting people from zoonotic infections, such as rabies virus or leptospirosis. Puppies and kittens require vaccines every few weeks during their first few months, followed by booster shots as adults. Our veterinary team works with pet owners to customize a vaccine protocol based on lifestyle. 

4. Pet dental care

Dental disease affects most pets by age 3 and can lead to pain or serious health issues when left untreated. Regular dental check-ups and anesthetized cleanings help prevent or treat plaque and tartar buildup or other oral health concerns. Daily toothbrushing with a soft brush and pet-safe toothpaste can help extend the time between professional cleanings and reduce dental disease’s impact on pet health. Chews, treats, rinses, and other dental products supplement a brushing regimen.

5. Pet parasite prevention

Parasites, such as fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms, pose significant health risks to pets ranging from mild skin irritation to life-threatening diseases or organ damage. Thankfully, excellent preventive medications are available that can keep parasites from “bugging” your furry pal. Our team recommends year-round parasiticides to ensure no gaps in protection. Depending on your pet’s species and lifestyle, we may recommend one or two products to administer orally or topically each month. In addition to preventives, regular parasite screenings help detect infestations early and allow for prompt treatment.

Comprehensive wellness and preventive care plans

Our hospital understands that budgeting for annual wellness and preventive care can be tricky. We’ve created wellness plans to alleviate this financial burden and ensure all dogs and cats have access to quality care. You can choose from a puppy or kitten plan or three-tier plans for adult pets, each loaded with health care services your furry pal needs at a deep discount, rather than paying “a la carte.” When you sign up for a wellness plan, you pay a low monthly payment for each year’s wellness visits, vaccinations, dental care, and parasite prevention. In addition, we offer discounted services, exams, and products to wellness plan holders when your pet needs non-wellness care.

Pet wellness care is fundamental to your pet’s health and longevity. Routine visits and preventive care services help maintain well-being by staving off common diseases or detecting them in the earliest stages when they best respond to treatment. Contact our Woodland Springs Veterinary Hospital team to schedule your pet’s next wellness visit or to learn more about our comprehensive wellness plans.