Wellness Care for Your PetWellness care is essential for your pet throughout its life, whether it's a puppy or an old animal. Puppy and kittens require regular checks to monitor growth and build immunity to common illnesses.Pet insurance plans typically provide pet wellness coverage as an added benefit. Wellness coverage for pets differs from pet insurance on a variety of levels.VaccinationsVaccines have been recognized as saving more lives than any other treatment. This is because they prevent diseases that could otherwise be life-threatening or cause severe and prolonged illness, suffering and even death. In most instances, prevention is more effective and cost-effective than treatment.Immunizations are an essential aspect of pet care and they can help prevent serious illnesses in dogs and cats as well as humans. Vaccines are the preparations of dead or altered microorganisms that are introduced into the body to stimulate the immune system to react to the invader. Vaccines are a way to make the immune system recognize and fight diseases-causing organisms, without suffering the more serious effects that come with illnesses or infections.Puppies and kittens should be given a complete set of vaccinations at the beginning stages of development in order to build an immune system that is strong and resistant to infectious diseases. Our veterinarian will suggest the right vaccines for your pet according to their age and lifestyle.Core vaccines include rabies, distemper, and parvovirus. They are required for all dogs and cats, as they protect against the ravages of infections that could be easily transmitted to humans. Core vaccines are given in two injections at the time of kittenhood or pup, and then boosted every year.Non-core vaccines may be recommended based on the lifestyle and risk factors. Dogs that visit boarding and grooming kennels, dog parks, and training classes for instance, could need to be vaccinated.The hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and the hepatitis C vaccines are recommended for all pets. pet ownership to stop the spread of several fatal diseases from animals to humans and vice versa. A combination vaccine, referred to as a A2PP or FVRCP for cats and canines respectively, protects against the most common infectious diseases that can be passed between the two species. The lyme disease vaccination, which is recommended for dogs that are frequently in areas where deer are frequently encountered, shields them from the bites of the illegitimately named deer tick which can trigger the severe bacteria-related infection known as Lyme disease.Fecal ExamA fecal examination, also known as a fecal floatation is a microscopic examination of your pet's stools. This gives your veterinarian the opportunity to identify intestinal parasites such as hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and giardia that are not easily diagnosed and can compromise the health of your pet. They can be transmitted to other pets and family members.There are several methods to collect a fecal specimen. Your vet may use an special fecal sample loop which is placed in the rectum, then pulled back to get a sample. This technique is particularly helpful for identifying worms and cysts. people and pets may also perform a direct smear which involves spreading a small amount your pet's feces on the microscope slide. This type of test has the disadvantage that it can only be reliable if there is no cells or fat in the sample.A centrifugal flotation test is a different method. The feces are mixed with a specific solution to test for eggs that are parasite-infested. The eggs will rise and can be observed under microscope. The benefit of this method is that it's more sensitive than direct smears, however, the results are still dependent on the details of the procedure as well as specimen attributes.The best way to make sure that your pet isn't infected with intestinal parasites that may affect his health or spread to other animals and family members is to have annual fecal tests. These infections can be uncomfortable for your pet and could lead to more serious conditions that require treatment. Certain intestinal parasites, such as roundworms and hookworms can be transferred to humans. This poses a serious health threat.Fecal testing is an essential and easy part of your pet's health care routine. It is recommended that all pets undergo an fecal test at minimum once every year, and more often for puppies and those living in environments that are conducive to parasites. Intestinal parasites are a major source of illness in pets. They can cause diarrhea, weight loss and vomiting in a variety of animals. In addition to detecting parasites, the fecal test can also identify abnormalities in blood or other indicators that could be signs of a disease or ongoing infection.Dental ExamDental care for pets is an important part of wellness. Without proper dental care teeth of pets can get infected, which can lead to other health problems like bad breath, tooth decay, and even gum disease. These conditions begin when tartar builds up on the teeth, affecting the surrounding tissues. people and pets could also be absorbed into bloodstreams and travel to other organs such as the kidneys, heart, and liver. This can cause inflammation and increase the risk of contracting serious diseases. Regular brushing at home as well as dental cleanings can help keep your pet's teeth healthy.During the dental exam, your veterinarian will examine the mouth of your pet to look for indications of tartar and plaque. He or she will use a scaler to remove the tartar that has accumulated and an instrument for checking the gums for pockets. line where periodontal disease starts. To examine the bones and roots of the teeth X-rays are taken of the entire mouth.Dental exams are recommended at least once per year, but more frequent examinations are recommended for patients with elevated risks for dental disease or have reached their older 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 reason and suggest further tests or treatments if necessary.Wellness plans can be a great option to save money and pay for preventive procedures, like dental cleanings and heartworm tests. These plans are similar to traditional pet insurance plans, however, they reimburse pre-determined medical expenses instead of paying for the entire visit. Our veterinarians are available to discuss the various plans with you.To schedule an appointment for your pet, contact our Spring Hill vets today! We can perform an examination for health, suggest vaccinations, and other preventive measures for your pet. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!Parasite ControlParasites, whether they are internal or external, are a group of organisms that feed on your pet and rob the animal of vital nutrients. They can also harm her major organs and body systems, causing many unpleasant symptoms. In extreme cases, some of these parasites (such as heartworms) can be fatal. While many people assume that parasites are a normal part of being a pet parent but this doesn't have to be the situation. Our team of vets knows the types of parasites that are prevalent in your area and will describe how they could affect your pet.Responsible pet parasite control can significantly reduce the risk of transmission of disease to other pets in the home and also to humans. This means regularly administering preventative treatment for ticks and fleas year-round, using the tick collar as often as possible, and grooming your pet often especially after being outside. Examining your pet's coat for signs of a parasite infestation such as scratching, chewing and licking, will ensure that she is free from these irritants.Internal parasites, like whipworms, roundworms, and tapeworms, typically get acquired through the accidental ingestion of tiny parasite eggs in areas that have been infected by the faeces from infected animals. These parasites can also be zoonotic, meaning they can be passed from pets to people (and vice versa).Ticks and fleas can infest any residence, even urban areas with high pet populations. They can trigger severe allergic reactions in pets, and also transmit vector-borne diseases such as cat scratch disease (Bartonella), Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Ticks are also a problem. They can trigger allergic reactions, cause itching, cause discomfort in pets and transmit vector-borne diseases like Lyme disease to humans.At minimum, all shelter pets should be provided with a basic internal and external parasite control protocol at time of intake. This should include a prophylactic treatment that includes an oral dewormer that is effective against hookworms, roundworms, as well as ticks and fleas (Nemex or Strongid is the most commonly used product).