Preventive Health Care

We provide the health certificates for domestic or international travel for your pets. A physical examination is required at the time of the issuance of the certificate as well as proof of current vaccination status before a pet can be issued a health certificate. For international travel each country’s specific requirements need to be checked and additionally the certificate will have to be validated at the USDA office. Depending upon the type of certificate issued it may have a 10 day or 30 day duration. Health certificates are required for pets which are traveling. It is an absolute necessity when…

Our pets are exposed to all kinds of parasites, those that live on their skin and those that invade the internal organs. Parasites can produce varying degrees of damage, some fatal, and some pet parasites can affect humans, causing zoonotic disease. Our hospital is equipped with the diagnostic tools to detect these parasites and the medications to eliminate or prevent them. We require routine screening testing for parasites to insure the health of your pet. There are all sorts of parasites out there ready, willing and able to invade your pet. Parasites can live in or on the skin, in…

Vaccinations are essential to protect your pets against many serious and deadly diseases. By keeping these vaccinations updated and current you assure maximum protection for your pets. There are a wide variety of vaccines that can be used but we set up a vaccination protocol based upon the potential risks to which your pets may be exposed. We utilize vaccinations that are administered annually and some every three years. A vaccination is actually a killed or weakened form of the disease causing organism, weak enough that it cannot cause the disease, but in such a form to stimulate a protective…

Physical examinations on a regular basis are critical for the maintenance of the health for your pets. A hands on physical examination coupled with blood work and other diagnostic tests are all parts of a comprehensive evaluation of their state of health. This will enable us to identify conditions in your pets before they cause severe disease and enable proactive measures to enable a long, health life for your beloved companions. One of the most important components in the evaluation of the health of a pet or in the diagnostic process is a complete and thorough “hands on” physical examination….

Fleas can cause problems for pets ranging from minor to life-threatening. Not only can these parasites cause severe itching, irritation, and allergies, but they can also transmit tapeworms and diseases. Fleas can infest dogs, cats, ferrets, mice, and rats. And fleas don’t just stay on pets; they can bite people, too. For more information, contact us or see the flea article in the Pet Health Library on our site. You don’t want these blood-sucking parasites on your pet or in your home. We can help keep them away or help you get rid of them if they’ve already found their…

When they bite, mosquitoes can transmit heartworm infection. And those heartworms can wreak havoc on your dog or cat. These parasites can severely and sometimes fatally damage the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Some pets may not show any signs of infection; in those that do, symptoms can vary widely. In dogs, signs of heartworm disease can range from coughing, fatigue, and weight loss to difficulty breathing and a swollen abdomen (caused by fluid accumulation from heart failure). Canine heartworm infection can also lead to a life-threatening complication called “caval syndrome” (a form of liver failure); without prompt surgical intervention,…

Ticks are becoming more and more prevalent in North America, and they’re now being found in areas where people and pets didn’t previously encounter ticks. These parasites aren’t just a nuisance; they can cause serious—and sometimes deadly—diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and tick paralysis. Contact us immediately if your pet starts coughing or has joint pain, trouble breathing, fever, weakness, or loss of appetite, weight, energy, or coordination. The best method for keeping ticks off your pet is by keeping your dog or cat on a tick preventive. Even indoor-only pets are at risk because…

It is essential to begin a proper health care plan right from the start with your puppy. The initial check up will determine if your puppy is healthy or detect any health issues. In addition to a physical examination, fecal checks and blood testing will aid in the evaluation of health. We will also set up a vaccination schedule to insure your puppy will be free of certain serious diseases and we will also counsel you on proper puppy care.

It is essential to begin a proper health care plan right from the start with your kitten. The initial check up will determine if your kitten is healthy or detect any health issues. In addition to a physical examination, fecal checks and blood testing will aid in the evaluation of health. We will also set up a vaccination schedule to insure your kitten will be free of certain serious and we will also counsel you on proper kitten care.

Bringing your pet in for an annual diagnostic and wellness checkup can help reassure you that your dog or cat is healthy or help us detect hidden diseases or conditions early. Early detection can improve the prognosis of many diseases, keep medical costs down, and help your pet live longer. Many dogs and cats are good at hiding signs that something is wrong, so subtle changes in their health or behavior might be easy to overlook. And, depending on the disease, some pets don’t show any symptoms. Dogs and cats age far quicker than humans, so it is even more…