Your beloved pet becoming sick or unwell is something that no loving owner wants to think about. Nevertheless, our pet’s bodies are just as fragile as our own and there are a vast array of different illnesses and diseases that can affect them. Some of these may occur as part of the natural aging process, while others may occur as a result of exposure to a virus or other infectious disease. The good news is that there are things that we, as conscientious owners, can do to help protect our pets from health problems and in some cases, we can completely eliminate the risk that they pose to the long-term wellbeing of our animals. One of the best ways to do this is through robust wellness care.

At Country Doctor Veterinary Clinic, we are delighted to be able to offer the very best wellness care and disease prevention service to the pets who visit us, enabling them to live longer, happier and healthier lives with their human families.

What is wellness care?

Wellness care is known by a range of different names including preventative care, annual wellness examinations, and even regular medical care. However, they all essentially refer to the same thing – a routine assessment of the health of your pet to ensure that she is healthy and in good condition. Pets who are subject to regular wellness checks are more likely to have medical problems identified quickly, enjoy a prompt medical treatment and have a better overall outcome from their health issue.

What is included in pet wellness care?

Wellness care comes in many shapes and forms depending on your veterinarian. However, there is a generalized framework of elements which should be included in any robust wellness care program. These include the following:

Consultation. This is where our veterinary team will ask questions about your pet and her lifestyle, including what she eats, how much she eats, what exercise she gets, how much she sleeps and more. This is also a good time to ask any questions or raise any concerns that you may have.

General health check assessments. This includes noting her temperature, her heart rate, her respiratory rate, her weight and body temperature. We may also conduct a urinalysis and fecal testing.

Physical examination. This looks at the condition of your pet’s body on a nose to tail basis. Her eyes, nose, ears, mouth, teeth, joints and paws will all be checked for abnormalities. Her abdomen will also be palpated to check that there are no unusual lumps or bumps and that her organs aren’t enlarged.

Blood tests. Blood tests aren’t always required at every wellness test. Where they are requested, it is to glean information about your pet’s health from the inside. A full blood count, blood chemistry profile and potentially heartworm testing may all fall into the category of blood testing. These can help us identify health problems such as anemia, diabetes, heart disease, liver disorder, and heartworms, as well as whether your pet is already fighting some sort of disease.

Imaging diagnostics. If we think that there is something that requires further scrutiny, we may refer your pet for further imaging including x-rays, CT scans, and even MRI testing if necessary.

Preventative medications, advice, and support. It is ALWAYS better to prevent your pet from getting sick than having to treat her. Not only is it less expensive to supply preventative medications than it is to cover the cost of veterinary treatment, but it also saves your pet from a lot of unnecessary pain and suffering. Preventative medications are available in a number of different forms, from annual vaccinations to monthly-administered chewable tablets and spot-on treatments. Our veterinary team will be delighted to draw up a preventative care plan based specifically on the needs of your individual pet and give you all the advice and support that you need to implement it. By following a stringent preventative care schedule, and not being late with the necessary medications, it is possible to prevent your pet from experiencing any of these debilitating and potentially deadly diseases entirely.

If you are still confused about wellness care and disease prevention and would like more advice and support, or if you would like to schedule a wellness assessment with our experienced and passionate veterinary team, please contact our offices in today.