Wellness Care for Your Pet
If you're a puppy, or a senior, wellness care is essential throughout the life of your pet. Puppy and kittens require regular checks to monitor the growth of their pet and to build immunity against common diseases.
Pet insurance plans typically provide pet wellness coverage as an added benefit. Pet wellness coverage is different from pet insurance on many levels.
Vaccinations
Vaccines have been acknowledged as saving lives more than any other medical treatment. This is due to their ability to prevent diseases that would otherwise be life-threatening or cause significant and prolonged suffering, illness and even death. In most cases, prevention is far more effective and less expensive than treatment.
Immunizations are a crucial element of pet care and they can aid in preventing serious diseases in cats and dogs as well as humans. Vaccines contain microorganisms that have been altered or killed and then administered to the body in order to increase the immune response. Vaccines can train the immune system to identify and fight off pathogens that cause disease without suffering the more serious effects that can result from infection or illness.
Kittens and puppies must receive a full regimen of vaccines during their initial stages of development to establish a strong defense against infections. Our veterinarian will recommend the appropriate vaccines for your pet based on their age and lifestyle.
Rabies, distemper and parvovirus are considered core vaccines. They are considered to be essential for all dogs and cats, as they protect them from fatal diseases that can easily be transmitted to humans. The most important vaccines are administered in two injections at the age of a puppy or kitten and then boosters each year.
Non-core vaccinations are recommended according to the type of lifestyle and risk factors. Dogs who frequent grooming and boarding kennels, training classes and dog parks for instance, might need to be vaccinated.
All pets are recommended to get the hepatitis A vaccine and hepatitis B and C. These vaccines can to stop the spread of many fatal diseases from animals to humans and vice reverse. A combination vaccine called a the DA2PP (or FVRCP) for cats or dogs protects against common infectious diseases which can be transmitted between the two species. The lyme vaccine, which is recommended for dogs who travel in areas where there are many deer, protects them from bites caused by the deer tick, also known as the illegitimately called deer tick. It can cause a serious bacterial infection.
Fecal Exam
A fecal exam or fecal flotation, is a microscopic examination of your pet's stool. This will allow your veterinarian to identify intestinal parasites like hookworms and roundworms. They may also transmit to your pet's family members.
A fecal sample may be collected in many ways. Your vet may use an specialized fecal sample loop that is inserted into the rectum, and then pulled back to collect an fecal sample. This method is especially useful in identifying worms and cysts. Your doctor can conduct a direct test by spreading the small amount of feces onto the microscope glass. The downside of this type of test is that it's only reliable when the feces sample has not been mixed with fat or cellular material.
Another method is a centrifugal float test. The test is conducted on the fecal sample for parasite eggs by mixing it with a particular solution. The eggs then flounder and can be observed under a microscope. pet and home care of this method is that it's more sensitive than direct smears, but the results still depend on the details of the procedure as well as characteristics of the specimen.
Annual fecal exams are the best way to make sure your pet does not have an intestinal parasite infestation that could affect their health and can be transmitted to other pets or family members. These conditions can cause discomfort to your pet, and can cause more serious illnesses that require treatment. Some intestinal parasites like hookworms and roundworms, can be transmitted to humans. This poses a serious health risk.
Fecal testing is an important and simple component of your pet's wellness routine. Every pet should undergo test of their feces at least once a year. This is more often for puppies and animals living in a space that is prone to parasites. Intestinal parasites are the primary cause of illness for pets and can cause diarrhea, weight loss and vomiting. In addition to detecting parasites the fecal test can also detect abnormalities in blood or other signs that may be a sign of a disease or ongoing infection.
Dental Exam
Dental 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 tooth decay, bad breath, and even gum disease. These conditions start when tartar builds up on the teeth, and it affects the tissues surrounding them. The buildup could also enter the bloodstream and travel to other organs, such as the kidneys, heart, and liver. This can cause inflammation and increase the risk of serious diseases. Regular brushing at home and dental cleanings can help keep your pet's teeth healthy.
During the dental exam, your veterinarian will examine your pet's mouth for indications of tartar and plaque. They will use an instrument to remove the tartar that has accumulated and an instrument for checking the gum pockets line, where periodontal diseases begin. X-rays of the entire mouth are taken to examine the bones and roots of the teeth.
Dental exams should be scheduled at least once a year, however more frequent exams are advised for patients with elevated risks for dental disease or who have entered their older years. The vet will also talk with you about your pet's weight, diet and behavior. The vet will give you information on any changes that you may observe in your pet. They may recommend additional tests or treatments if needed.
Wellness plans can be 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 plans, however they pay for medical expenses that are pre-determined instead of covering an entire visit. Our veterinarians are more than pleased to discuss the various plans and options with you.
To make pet care products for your pet, call our Spring Hill vets today! We can perform an exam for health, recommend vaccinations and other preventive measures for your pet. We look forward to meeting you soon!
Parasite Control
Parasites, whether they are internal or external, are organisms which feed on your pet, and deprive the animal of essential nutrients. They can also cause severe damage to her organs and systems, leading to a myriad of unpleasant symptoms. In extreme instances (such as heartworms), some of these parasites could be fatal. Many people believe that parasites will always be an element of pet ownership. But it's not the case. Our vet team is knowledgeable about the different types of parasites to look for in your area and can help you understand how these bugs can affect your pet and what you can do about them.
A well-managed control of pet parasites can drastically reduce the risk of disease transmission to other pets in the home as well as humans. This means that you regularly administer preventative flea and tick treatment all year round, wearing a tick collar as often as you can and regularly grooming your pet, particularly after she has been out. Inspecting for signs of parasite infestation, such as chewing and scratching, or licking can help you ensure that your pet is not afflicted with these pests.
Internal parasites, such roundworms, whipworms, and tapeworms, typically get acquired by accidentally ingesting micro-sized parasite eggs from areas that have been contaminated by the faeces of affected animals. These parasites are also zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from pets to humans (and reversed).
Ticks and fleas can infest any house, even urban areas with a high number of pets. pet care website can cause severe allergic reactions and transmit vector-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Ticks are also a problem. They can cause allergic reactions, cause itching and cause discomfort in pets, and transmit vector-borne illnesses like Lyme disease to humans.
All shelter pets must be treated with a basic internal-external parasite control plan when they are first brought into the shelter. This should include a prophylactic treatment that includes an oral dewormer effective against hookworms, roundworms, and fleas and ticks (Nemex or Strongid is the most frequently used product).