Wellness Care for Your Pet

If you're a puppy, or an older pet, taking care of your wellness is vital throughout the life of your pet. Kittens and puppies require regular examinations to check for the growth of their pet and to build immunity to common illnesses.

Pet insurance plans provide wellness coverage as a supplement. However, pet wellness coverage is quite different from pet insurance in several ways.

Vaccinations

Vaccines have been credited with saving lives more than other medical treatment. They prevent diseases that would otherwise be fatal or cause long-term and severe suffering, pain, or death. In most cases prevention is more cost-effective as well as effective than treatment.

Immunizations are an essential facet of pet wellness care and can prevent serious diseases that affect cats and dogs as well as humans. Vaccines contain microorganisms which have been altered or killed and are administered to the body to increase the immune response. In this way the immune system can learn to recognize and fight the disease-causing organism without being subject to the more severe effects of infection or illness.

Puppies and kittens should receive a full set of vaccinations during the early stages of development to help build an immune system that is strong against infectious diseases. Our veterinarian will recommend the appropriate vaccines for your pet depending on their age and the lifestyle they lead.

The primary vaccines are rabies distemper and parvovirus. They are considered essential for all dogs and cats because they guard against dangerous infections that can be transmitted to humans. The vaccines are administered in two injections during puppy or kittenhood and then boosted every year.

Non-core vaccines may be recommended based on the lifestyle and risk factors. For instance, 836614.xyz dogs who visit boarding kennels, groomers training classes, and dog parks may need to be vaccinated against bordetella (kennel cough) which is extremely transmissible, as well as leptospirosis a zoonotic disease that can cause liver and kidney failure in humans as well as pets.

The hepatitis A, the hepatitis B, and the hepatitis C vaccines are recommended for all pets. They can help prevent a number of deadly diseases that could be passed on from animals to people and vice to. A combination vaccine, also known as a DA2PP or FVRCP for cats and canines respectively, protects against the most common infectious diseases that can be transmitted between the two species. The lyme vaccine, which is recommended for dogs that travel in areas with many deer, guards them against the bites from the deer tick, also referred to as the deer tick, which can lead to a severe bacterial infection.

Fecal Exam

A fecal examination, also known as a fecal floatation is a microscopic look at your pet's stool. This allows your vet to find intestinal parasites such as whipworms, roundworms and hookworms and giardia, which are not easily diagnosed and can compromise the health of your pet. They can be transmitted to your family members as well as other pets.

There are many ways to obtain a fecal specimen. Your vet could use a special fecal sample loop which is inserted in the rectum, then pulled back to collect the sample. This method is especially useful in identifying worms and cysts. Your veterinarian can perform the test directly by putting a small amount on a microscope glass. This type of test has the disadvantage that it will only be accurate if there is no fat or cellular matter in the sample.

Another method is the centrifugal float test. This test the fecal specimen for the presence of parasite eggs by mixing it with a special solution. This causes the eggs to appear to float and www.836614.Xyz are visible under a microscope. The advantage of this method is that it is more sensitive than a direct smear, however, the results are still dependent on the specifics of the procedure and specimen attributes.

Annual fecal examinations are the best way to be sure that your pet doesn't have an intestinal parasite infection which could impact their health and could be transmitted to other pets or family members. These conditions can cause discomfort to your pet and may even lead to more serious conditions requiring treatment. Some intestinal parasites like hookworms and roundworms are transferred to humans. This is a major health threat.

Fecal testing is an important and simple component of your pet's health care routine. All pets should undergo Fecal test at least once per year. This is more often for puppies and animals living in a space which is conducive to parasites. Intestinal parasites are a major source of illness in pets. They can cause weight loss, diarrhea and vomiting in a variety of animals. In addition to detecting parasites the fecal test can also identify abnormalities in blood or other signs that may be a sign of illness or an ongoing infection.

Dental Exam

Dental care for pets is a crucial aspect of wellness. Pet teeth can become damaged without proper oral hygiene and can cause health issues like bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. The conditions start when tartar accumulates on the teeth, affecting the surrounding tissues. The buildup can also enter the bloodstream and then travel to other organs, such as kidneys, the heart and liver. This could cause inflammation and increase the risk of developing serious illnesses. Regular brushing at home and dental cleanings keep your pet’s teeth clean.

In a dental examination, our veterinarian will examine your pet's teeth to look for signs of tartar and plaque. He or she will use an instrument to remove the built-up tartar and then a periodontal probe to check the gum pockets line where periodontal disease starts. To look at the bones and roots of the teeth, X-rays are taken of the entire mouth.

Dental exams are recommended at least once a year, however more frequent exams are advised for patients with elevated risks for dental disease or have entered their senior years. The vet will also discuss with you your pet's weight, diet and behavior. The vet can provide you with information about any changes that you may observe in your pet. They may recommend additional tests or treatments if needed.

Wellness plans can be an excellent option to save money and cover preventive treatments like dental cleanings and heartworm tests. These plans are similar to traditional pet insurance but they pay for certain medical expenses, rather than covering an entire visit. Our veterinarians are more than happy to discuss the various plans with you.

Contact our Spring Hill veterinarians to schedule an appointment today! We can perform an examination for wellness as well as update vaccinations and suggest any other preventive measures your pet needs. We look forward to meeting you soon!

Parasite Control

Parasites, whether they are internal or external, are the organisms that feed on your pet and rob the animal of essential nutrients. They can also cause severe damage to her organs and systems, which can lead to a myriad of unpleasant symptoms. In extreme instances (such as heartworms) some of these parasites can be fatal. Many people believe that parasites are an unavoidable part of being a pet owner however this doesn't need to be the situation. Our veterinary team is well versed in the types of parasites to look for in your area and can help you to understand how these bugs affect your pet and what can be done about them.

Responsible pet parasite management will reduce the chance of spreading disease to humans and 836614 - Www.836614.Xyz, other pets in the house. This means administering preventative flies and tick treatment throughout the year, using collars to keep ticks away, and grooming your dog frequently especially after she's been outside. Checking her coat for indications of an infestation like scratching, chewing, and licking will also help ensure she is free from these irritants.

Internal parasites such as roundworms and tapeworms are usually acquired accidentally by ingesting parasite eggs discovered in areas that are contaminated by excrement from animals suffering from infection. These parasites may also be Zoonotic, meaning that they can be passed from pets to people (and reversed).

Ticks and fleas can infest any house, even urban areas that have a large number of pets. The fleas can cause severe allergic reactions and transmit vector-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, Ehrlichia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Ticks are also a problem. They can trigger allergic reactions, cause itching and cause pain in pets, and transmit vector-borne diseases like Lyme disease to humans.

All shelter pets should be treated with a basic internal and external parasite control regimen when they are first brought to the shelter. This should include a preventative treatment that includes an oral dewormer that is effective against hookworms and roundworms as well as ticks and fleas (Nemex or Strongid is the most commonly used product).