Wellness Care for Your PetNo matter if you're a puppy or an older pet, taking care of your wellness is necessary throughout your pet's life. Puppies and kittens require routine checks to monitor their growth and increase their immunity.Pet insurance plans often offer pet wellness coverage as an add-on. Wellness coverage for pets differs from pet insurance on many levels.VaccinationsVaccines are one of the greatest advancements in medicine and are credited with saving more lives than all other treatments. They protect against diseases that would otherwise be fatal or cause prolonged and severe suffering, pain, or death. In most cases prevention is more cost-effective as well as effective than treatment.Immunizations are an essential element of pet care and they can aid in preventing serious diseases in cats and dogs as well as humans. care pets contain microorganisms which have been altered or killed and then administered to the body in order to increase the immune response. In this way the immune system is able to recognize and fight the pathogen without needing to suffer the more severe effects of infection or illness.Puppies and kittens must receive an entire regimen of vaccinations during their initial stages of development to build up a strong defense against infectious diseases. Our veterinarian will suggest the appropriate vaccines for your pet based on their age and the type of lifestyle.Rabies, distemper and parvovirus are all considered to be essential vaccines. They are considered essential for all dogs and cats, as they guard against dangerous infections that can be transmitted to people. The most important vaccines are administered in two doses at the age of a puppy or kitten and boosters are given every year.Non-core vaccinations can be advised based on lifestyle and risk factors. For instance, dogs who visit boarding kennels, groomers training classes, and dog parks may need to be vaccinated against bordetella (kennel cough), which is highly transmissible, as well as leptospirosis a zoonotic illness that can cause kidney and liver failure in pets as well as humans.The hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and hepatitis C vaccines are also typically recommended for all pets. They help keep out a range of deadly diseases that can be passed on from animals to people and vice from one to the other. A combination vaccine, referred to as a DA2PP or FVRCP for canines and cats respectively, protects against the most common infections that can be passed between the two species. The lyme vaccination, recommended for dogs who travel in areas where there are numerous deer, shields them from bites from the deer tick, also referred to as the deer tick, which can lead to a severe bacterial infection.Fecal ExamA fecal exam, also known as a fecal floatation is a microscopic inspection of your pet's stool. This allows your veterinarian to detect intestinal parasites, such as hookworms and roundworms. They can infect other pets and family members.A fecal sample may be obtained in several ways. Your veterinarian may employ the specialized fecal loop, which is inserted into the rectum and pulled back to collect a sample. This method is particularly useful for identifying worms and cysts. Your doctor can conduct a direct test by putting the small amount of feces onto a microscope glass. This test comes with the disadvantage that it can only be reliable when there is no fat or cellular matter in the sample.A centrifugal flotation test is a different method. The test is conducted on the fecal sample to determine the presence of parasite eggs by mixing it with a particular solution. The eggs will rise, and they are visible under microscope. The advantage of this method is that it's more sensitive than a direct smear, but the results still depend on the details of the procedure as well as the characteristics of the specimen.Annual fecal exams are the best way to be sure that your pet does not have an intestinal parasite infestation that can affect their health and could be passed on to other animals or family members. These conditions can cause discomfort to your pet, and could cause more serious illnesses that require treatment. Certain intestinal parasites, like hookworms and roundworms can be transferred to humans. This poses a serious health risk.Fecal testing is an essential and simple component of your pet's wellness routine. It is recommended that all pets have a fecal examination at least once a year, and more frequently for puppies and those who live in environments that are conducive to parasites. Intestinal parasites are a major cause of illness in pets, causing diarrhea, weight loss and vomiting. The fecal tests can reveal parasites, as well as blood or other abnormalities that could be signs of illness or infection.Dental ExamPet dental care is a vital aspect of overall health. Without pet safety tips of pets can become infected and lead to other health issues, such as bad breath, tooth decay, and even gum disease. These conditions develop when tartar builds up on the teeth and causes damage to the surrounding tissues. The buildup may also travel through the bloodstream to other organs like the heart, kidneys and liver. This can cause inflammation and increase the risk of contracting serious diseases. Regular dental cleanings and at-home brushing help keep your pet's teeth clean.During the dental exam, our veterinarian will evaluate your pet's mouth for evidence of tartar and plaque. The vet will employ a scaler to remove the tartar build-up and a periodontal probe to check the gums for pockets. line where periodontal disease begins. To assess the bones and roots of the teeth X-rays are taken of the entire mouth.Patients with a high risk of dental disease, or those who are older are advised to undergo an exam for dental health at least once per year. 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 be able to provide you with information on the reason and suggest further tests or treatments, if required.Wellness plans are a great way to pay for preventive treatment and save money on routine expenses such as dental cleanings, wellness examinations and heartworm tests. These plans are similar to traditional pet insurance, but they pay for pre-determined medical expenses instead of paying for the entire visit. Our veterinarians are available to discuss the various plans with you.Contact our Spring Hill veterinarians to schedule an appointment today! We can perform an examination for wellness as well as update vaccinations and suggest any other preventive measures your pet needs. We look forward to seeing you soon!Parasite ControlWhether of the internal or external kind, parasites are a variety of organisms that feed off your pet, robbing her of essential nutrients. They can also cause serious damage to her organs and systems, which can lead to a myriad of unpleasant symptoms. In extreme instances (such as heartworms) there are instances where these parasites can be fatal. Many people believe that parasites are a part of pet ownership. However pet safety tips isn't the case. Our veterinary team knows the most prevalent parasites in your area and can explain how they affect your pet.A well-managed pet parasite control program can reduce the risk of spreading disease to humans and pets in the house. This means that you regularly administer preventative treatments for ticks and fleas all year round, wearing a tick collar as often as you can, and grooming your pet often especially after she has been outside. Examining your pet's coat for indications of an infestation like chewing, scratching, and licking can aid in ensuring she is free from these pests that cause a lot of trouble.Internal parasites such as tapeworms and roundworms are typically acquired accidentally through the ingesting of parasite eggs that have been found in areas contaminated with faeces from infected animals. These parasites are also known as zoonotic. This means they can be transmitted from pets to humans (and vice versa).The ticks and fleas can invade any home, even in urban areas with a high number of pets. Fleas are known to cause severe allergic reactions and transmit vector-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, Ehrlichia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Ticks are also an important issue in terms of causing painful itchy, and allergic reactions in pets and the possibility of transmitting vector-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and ehrlichia to humans.All shelter pets should be treated with a basic external-internal parasite control protocol when they are first brought into the shelter. care pets should include prophylactic treatment with the minimum of an oral dewormer that is effective against hookworms and roundworms and an insecticide and tick preventative (Nemex and Strongid are the most commonly used products).