The Reasons Pet Wellness Care Is More Difficult Than You Think

Wellness Care for Your Pet

No matter if you're a puppy or a senior, wellness care is vital throughout the lifespan of your pet. Kittens and puppies require regular checkups in order to monitor their growth and increase their immunity.

Pet insurance plans typically provide pet wellness coverage as an added benefit. Wellness coverage for pets is different from pet insurance on several levels.

Vaccinations

Vaccines have been credited with saving lives more than other treatment. They prevent diseases that would otherwise be fatal or cause severe and prolonged illness, pain, and death. In most instances, prevention is more effective and cost-effective than treatment.

Immunizations are an essential element of pet care and can prevent serious illnesses in dogs and cats as well as humans. Vaccines are the preparations of dead or altered microorganisms that are given to the body to stimulate the immune system to respond to the invader. Vaccines allow you to make the immune system recognize and fight pathogens that cause disease without having to suffer the more serious consequences that come with illnesses or infections.

Puppies and kittens must receive a full regimen of vaccines in their early stages of development to establish a strong defense against infectious diseases. Our veterinarian will suggest the right vaccinations for your pets based on their age and the lifestyle they lead.

Rabies, distemper, and parvovirus are regarded as the most important vaccines. They are considered essential for all dogs and cats, as they guard against dangerous infections that are easily transmissible to people. The core vaccines are administered in two doses at the age of a kitten or puppy and then boosters each year.

Non-core vaccinations are recommended in accordance with lifestyle and risk factors. For instance, dogs who visit boarding kennels, groomers training classes, or dog parks might need to be vaccinated against bordetella (kennel cough) which is highly contagious, and leptospirosis, an zoonotic disease that could cause liver and kidney failure in humans as well as pets.

The hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C vaccines are recommended for all pets. These vaccines can to stop the spread of a number deadly diseases from animals to humans and vice to. A combination vaccine known as a the DA2PP (or FVRCP) for cats or dogs guards against common infections that can be passed between the two species. The lyme vaccine, which is recommended for dogs that travel in areas with many deer, guards them against the bites from the deer tick, also referred to as the illegitimately called deer tick. It can cause a severe bacteria-related infection.

Fecal Exam

A fecal examination, also known as a fecal floatation is a microscopic inspection of your pet's stool. This allows your vet to identify intestinal parasites such as whipworms, roundworms and hookworms, and giardia that are difficult to identify and can compromise the health of your pet. They can spread to family members and other pets.

There are many ways to obtain an fecal sample. Your vet could use a special fecal sample loop which is placed in the rectum, and then pulled back to obtain a sample. This technique is particularly helpful for identifying cysts and worms. Your doctor can perform a direct test by putting an amount of the sample on the microscope glass. pet and home care of this type of test is that it's only reliable when the feces sample is not mixed with fat or cellular material.

A centrifugal flotation test can be another method. The fecal samples are mixed with a specially-formulated solution to test for parasite eggs. The eggs will rise, and they are visible under a microscope. The advantage of this method is that it is more sensitive than a direct smear, however, the results will depend on the details of the procedure as well as characteristics of the specimen.

Regular fecal checks are the best way to be sure that your pet doesn't have an intestinal parasite infestation that could affect their health and can be transmitted to other animals or family members. These infections can cause discomfort for your pet and could result in more serious illnesses that require treatment. Some intestinal parasites, such as roundworms and hookworms can be transmitted to humans and pose a significant health risk.

It is essential to include fecal tests in your pet's routine to ensure well-being. It is recommended that all pets undergo a fecal examination at least once every year, and more frequently for puppies and those living in environments that are prone to parasites. Intestinal parasites can be the main cause of illness in pets and can cause weight loss, diarrhea and vomiting in many animals. In addition to detecting parasites, the fecal test may also identify abnormalities in blood or other indicators which could be a sign of a disease or ongoing infection.

Dental Exam





Dental care for pets is an important part of overall health. Without proper oral care teeth of pets can become infected and lead to other health issues, such as bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. These conditions develop when tartar builds up on the teeth, and affects the surrounding tissues. The buildup could also enter the bloodstream and travel to other organs such as the heart, kidneys, and liver. This could cause inflammation and increase the risk of contracting serious illnesses. Regular brushing at home and dental cleanings help keep your pet's teeth healthy.

During the dental exam, our veterinarian will check the mouth of your pet to look for evidence of tartar and plaque. The vet will employ a scaler to remove the tartar that has accumulated and a periodontal probe to check the gums for pockets. line where periodontal disease starts. To look at the bones and roots of the teeth X-rays are taken of the entire mouth.

Dental exams are recommended at least once per year, however regular exams are recommended for patients with elevated risks for dental disease or who are in their older years. The vet will also discuss with you your pet's weight, diet, and behavior. The vet can provide you with information on any changes you might observe in your pet and may recommend additional tests or treatments if needed.

Wellness plans are an excellent option to save money and pay for preventive treatments like dental cleanings and heartworm tests. These plans are similar to traditional pet insurance but they pay for certain medical expenses, rather than covering an entire visit. Our veterinarians are happy to go over the various plans with you.

Contact our Spring Hill veterinarians to schedule an appointment today! We can conduct an annual wellness check or update vaccinations, and suggest any other preventive measures your pet requires. We look forward to meeting you soon!

Parasite Control

Whether of the external or internal type, parasites are living organisms that feed off your pet, depriving her of vital nutrients. They can also damage her major organs and body systems, leading to various uncomfortable symptoms. In extreme cases (such as heartworms), some of these parasites can be fatal. Many people believe that parasites will always be a part of pet ownership. However this isn't the case. Our veterinary team is familiar with the kinds of parasites to watch for in your local area and can help you to understand how these bugs affect your pet and what you can do to combat them.

Responsible pet parasite control can greatly reduce the chance of transmission of disease to other pets in the home as well as humans. This means administering preventative flea and tick treatment throughout the year, using a collar to keep ticks out and grooming your dog often particularly after being outdoors. Inspecting for pet and home care of parasites that include chewing, scratching, or licking, will help to ensure that your pet is not afflicted with these pests.

Internal parasites like roundworms and tapeworms are usually acquired accidentally through the ingesting of parasite eggs that were found in areas contaminated with excrement from animals suffering from infection. These parasites can also be considered zoonotic. This means they can be transmitted from pets to humans (and in reverse).

The ticks and fleas can invade any home, even in urban areas with high pet populations. Fleas can cause severe allergic reactions in pets, as well as transmit vector-borne diseases like cat scratch disease (Bartonella), Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Ticks are also a significant problem, both in the sense of causing painful, itchy and allergic reactions in pets as well as the possibility of transmitting vector-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and ehrlichia to humans.

All shelter pets should be treated with a basic internal-external parasite control regimen when they are first brought to the shelter. pet and home care should include a prophylactic treatment that includes an oral dewormer effective against hookworms, roundworms, and ticks and fleas (Nemex or Strongid is the most commonly used drug).