Preventive medicine is the cornerstone of your pet’s health and well-being. Routine exams, vaccinations, and screening tests at Sixes Animal Hospital at BridgeMill can significantly increase your pet’s quality of life and reduce or eliminate their risk for many common health conditions. To help you understand the power of your pet’s wellness care, we discuss common diseases, ailments, and conditions that can be avoided through routine veterinary care.

Contagious viruses in dogs and cats

Core vaccinations are essential in protecting your pet against myriad contagious and potentially life-threatening diseases such as rabies, parvovirus, and distemper in dogs, and feline panleukopenia and leukemia in cats. Despite widespread vaccination efforts, these viruses are still present in the environment and cause devastating illness in unvaccinated pets. Our veterinarian will develop a personalized vaccination schedule based on your pet’s age, lifestyle, and health. To ensure adequate protection, you must follow this schedule as directed without skipping or postponing any booster vaccines. 

Parasitic infestation and disease in dogs and cats

Parasites are more than an unsightly nuisance, they can make pets extremely sick. Ticks can transmit dangerous diseases, such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis, while fleas can trigger a severe allergic reaction or infect your pet with tapeworms. Heartworms can cause fatal changes in your pet’s heart and lungs, while intestinal parasites, such as hookworms and giardia, damage your furry pal’s digestive tract and block nutrient absorption. Routine blood and fecal screenings along with year-round heartworm, flea, and tick prevention ensure your pet stays parasite-free and safe from their harmful consequences.

Dental disease in pets 

Although often overlooked, your pet’s dental health plays a crucial role in their overall comfort, health, and well-being. By as early as 2 years of age, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have dental disease (i.e., periodontal disease). Left untreated, dental disease can lead to chronic pain and inflammation, tooth decay and loss, and systemic health problems that may affect a pet’s heart, lungs, and kidneys. Routine oral exams, dental cleanings, and X-rays under anesthesia are the best ways to prevent your pet from developing periodontal disease. Our Sixes Animal Hospital at BridgeMill team can advise you on proper at-home dental care and recommend products to maintain your pet’s oral health between visits.

Nutritional deficiencies and obesity in pets

Proper nutrition is vital for maintaining your pet’s optimal health and longevity. During your pet’s annual wellness exam, our veterinarian can assess your pet’s physical condition and dietary requirements, and recommend a balanced diet tailored to their unique needs. Additionally, regular assessment of your pet’s body condition and weight allows our team to recognize obesity warning signs. Although a few extra pounds may not seem significant, overweight pets have a high risk for serious life-limiting health issues, including diabetes, cancer, arthritis, and heart and kidney disease.

Chronic conditions in pets 

While routine wellness care can’t always prevent certain genetic or chronic conditions from developing, regular preventive care and monitoring can ensure early disease detection, which allows for quick and targeted therapies. Early interventions are often easier and more economical and can delay or halt your pet’s illness sign progression.

Recommended wellness care for pets

Each pet is an individual and therefore will have unique health care needs based on their health, age, and risk factors. To make providing your pet with the best wellness care more affordable and convenient, we provide a variety of comprehensive wellness plans to support your pet at every life stage. Our veterinarian will recommend your pet’s most effective care plan, which may include:

  • Physical exams every 6 to 12 months, more frequently for puppies and kittens
  • Appropriate vaccines or boosters
  • Intestinal parasite screening (i.e., fecal sample)
  • Heartworm testing
  • Vector-borne disease testing
  • Wellness blood work
  • Urinalysis
  • Senior pet testing (e.g., thyroid and kidney function test, expanded blood work panel)

Preventive or wellness care involves taking proactive measures while a pet is healthy to prevent disease and illness—rather than reacting after the pet gets sick. While your pet may appear healthy now, without routine wellness exams and care they could be vulnerable to many of the conditions outlined above. Feel confident that you’re providing your four-legged friend with the best possible chance at a long and fulfilling life by visiting Sixes Animal Hospital at Bridge Mill for all your pet’s routine veterinary wellness care. Request your pet’s next appointment online or contact our team to schedule a visit.