Wellness Care for Your Pet
If you're a puppy, or an old age pet, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential throughout the lifespan of your pet. Kittens and puppies require regular checkups in order to monitor their growth and build immunity.
Pet insurance plans offer pet wellness coverage as a supplement. However, the coverage for pet wellness is quite different from pet insurance in several ways.
Vaccinations
Vaccines have been recognized as saving lives more than other medical treatment. This is due to their ability to prevent diseases that could be life-threatening or cause significant and prolonged suffering, illness, and death. In most cases, prevention is far more effective and less expensive than treatment.
Immunizations are an essential element of pet care and they can aid in preventing serious diseases in dogs and cats as well as humans. Vaccines contain microorganisms that have been killed or altered and are administered to the body to boost the immune system. This way, the immune system learns to recognize and fight the disease-causing organism without needing to suffer the more severe effects of infection or illness.
Kittens and puppies must receive the full range of vaccines during their early developmental stages to strengthen their defense against infections. Our veterinarian will advise the correct vaccinations for your pets based on their age and lifestyle.
Rabies, distemper, and parvovirus are considered core vaccines. These are essential for all cats and dogs as they guard against the ravages of infections that could be easily transmitted to humans. The core vaccines are administered in two injections at the age of a puppy or kitten and then boosters each year.
Non-core vaccines may be recommended based on lifestyle and risk factors. Dogs who go to boarding and grooming kennels, dog parks, and training classes, for example, may need to be vaccinated.
All pets are recommended to get the Hepatitis A vaccine and the hepatitis B and C. These help to stop a variety of deadly diseases that could be passed from animals to humans and vice to. A combination vaccine, referred to as a DAP or FVRCP for dogs and cats respectively, protects against the most common infectious diseases that can be passed between the two species. The lyme disease vaccine which is recommended for dogs who are in areas where deer are frequently encountered, protects against the bites of the illegitimately named deer tick, which can cause the severe bacteria-related infection that is known as Lyme disease.
Fecal Exam
A fecal examination, sometimes known as a fecal floating, is a microscopic look at your pet's stools. pet care website allows your veterinarian to detect intestinal parasites, such as roundworms and hookworms. They can infect your family members as well as other pets.
There are a variety of methods to collect the fecal sample. Your veterinarian may employ the specialized fecal loop, which is inserted into the rectum and pulled back to obtain a sample. This method is especially useful for identifying worms and cysts. Your veterinarian can perform the test directly by putting a small amount on a microscope glass. The downside of this type of test is that it's only reliable if the fecal sample isn't mixed with fat or other cellular material.
A centrifugal flotation test is another method. This test the fecal specimen for parasite eggs by mixing it with a special solution. The eggs will float and are visible under microscope. This method is more sensitive than direct smears however, the results depend on the details of the procedure as well as the specimen characteristics.
pet care products to ensure that your pet is not infected by intestinal parasites that could cause health problems or spread to other animals and family members is to perform annual fecal exams. These infections can cause discomfort for your pet, and could even cause more serious illnesses that require treatment. Some intestinal parasites, such as roundworms and hookworms may be transmitted to humans and pose a significant health risk.
Fecal testing is a crucial and simple part of your pet's wellness care routine. Every pet should undergo test of their feces at least once a year. This is especially important for puppies and animals living in a space that is conducive to parasites. Intestinal parasites are a major cause of illness for pets and can cause diarrhea, weight loss and vomiting. In addition to detecting parasites, the fecal test can also detect abnormalities in blood or other signs which could be a sign of a disease or ongoing infection.
Dental Exam
Pet dental care is a vital aspect of overall health. Without proper oral care teeth of pets could get infected, which can lead to other health problems like bad breath, tooth decay and even gum disease. The conditions begin when tartar accumulates on the teeth, and it affects the surrounding tissues. The buildup may also be absorbed into bloodstreams and spread to other organs, such as the kidneys, heart, and liver. This could cause inflammation and increase the risk of contracting serious illnesses. Regular dental cleanings and brushing help keep your pet's teeth in good condition.
During a dental exam our veterinarian will look over the teeth of your pet for evidence of plaque and tartar. The vet will use a scaling tool to remove the tartar, and a probe to check for pockets in 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 once per year, however regular exams are recommended for those at risk for dental disease or have reached their senior years. The vet will also discuss with you your pet's weight, diet and behavior. If you notice any changes in your pet, the vet will provide helpful information about the cause and recommend additional tests or treatments if necessary.
Wellness plans can be an excellent option to save money and pay for preventive treatments, such as dental cleanings and heartworm tests. These plans are similar to traditional pet insurance, but they cover certain medical expenses, rather than covering a whole visit. Our veterinarians are happy to review the different plans with you.
Contact our Spring Hill veterinarians to schedule an appointment today! We will conduct a health exam, recommend vaccinations and other preventive measures for your pet. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!
Parasite Control
Parasites, whether they are internal or external, are a group of organisms that feed on your pet, and deprive her of vital nutrients. They can also cause serious damage to her organs and systems, leading to a variety of unpleasant symptoms. In extreme instances (such as heartworms), some of these parasites could be fatal. Although many believe that parasites are an unavoidable part of being a pet parent, this does not have to be the case. Our vet team is aware of the most prevalent parasites in your area and will describe how they could affect your pet.
Effective control of parasites in pets can greatly reduce the chance of disease transmission to other pets in the household 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 often particularly after being outside. Examining for signs of a parasite infestation like chewing, scratching, or licking will help ensure that your pet is not afflicted with these pests.
Internal parasites, such whipworms and roundworms as well as tapeworms, typically get acquired by accidentally ingesting tiny parasite eggs in areas that have been infected with the faeces of infected animals. These parasites are also known as zoonotic. This means that they can be transmitted from pets to humans (and vice versa).
Ectoparasites, such as fleas and ticks are more likely to be present in urban settings with high population of pets, but they can be found in homes in all areas. They can cause severe allergic reactions and transmit vector-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Ticks can also be a problem. They can cause allergic reactions, cause itching, cause pain in pets, and transmit vector-borne illnesses like Lyme disease to humans.
At a minimum all pets in shelters should receive a basic internal and external parasite control regimen at the time of intake. This should include a preventative treatment that includes an oral dewormer effective against hookworms, roundworms, and fleas and ticks (Nemex or Strongid is the most commonly used product).