Dogs and cats enrich our lives in so many ways—which is why our doctors and staff are dedicated to their health and wellness over a lifetime.
The single most important thing you can do to maintain your canine or feline friend’s health is to make sure you keep up with regular veterinary exams. Pets age much faster than humans, so it follows that disease and illness progress faster in our animal companions as well. That’s why we recommend your dog or cat see the vet twice per year—especially seniors.
- check lumps, bumps, hair and skin condition
- evaluate for any evidence of pain or mobility issues
- examine eyes and ears
- inspect teeth and gums for dental disease (most pets over three have some signs)
- palpate the abdomen and listen to the heart looking for any internal health issues
- assess weight and nutritional health
- do fecal testing, urinalysis, and heartworm testing
Vaccinations are customized based on the risk of each patient. Some vaccines will need to be administered every 6 months, while others need once yearly, or once every 3 years. At Hometown Veterinary Hospital, we understand that each pet is an individual with specific health needs and lifestyle considerations, and we’ll customize our vaccination recommendations based on those factors.
In addition, we recommend flea and heartworm prevention products for both dogs and cats to be given year round. We also strongly advise microchipping your pet—microchips are inexpensive, simple and painless to implant and can increase the chances your pet will be returned to you if lost.
If you have a puppy or a kitten, it’s the perfect time to discuss the timing of spaying and neutering, behavioral concerns, nutrition, parasite control, dental health, and much more. We offer wellness plans and pet insurance plans. These plans are very reasonable for young animals, can spare you thousands of dollars in veterinary expenses, and even save your pet’s life.
Have questions about preventive care and wellness or want to schedule an exam for your pet? Call us at 417-208-5491.
