Annual Wellness & Preventive Care
Annual or Bi-annual (for senior pets) Examinations
The cornerstone of good, preventive care begins with an annual or semi-annual examination. Owners certainly know their pets best and we rely heavily on your observations to help us care for your pets as they can not verbalize what problems they may have. As veterinarians, we are trained to detect more subtle changes and problems that might otherwise be overlooked. It is not uncommon for us to detect ear, skin or dental infections, heart murmurs or growths or tumors that may have been unnoticed at home. Our examinations and observations are among the most important things that we do in maintaining health and preventing disease in your pets.
Annual Blood profiles and heartworm tests
Just as your doctor may order blood tests on you to evaluate your liver and kidneys and check such as things as your cholesterol level and blood sugar to check for diabetes; we advise annual blood testing on your pets to check for many of the same problems. Finding and initiating treatment EARLY, before a major crisis occurs is the best type of preventive medicine. Blood testing gives us the information we need to do this.
Vaccination
We attempt to tailor our vaccine protocol to the needs of you and your pet. Not all pets receive the same vaccinations. For instance a dog that frequents public parks, day care, boarding kennels or grooming parlors may receive more or different vaccinations than a dog that never leaves home. Likewise, a cat that goes outdoors may receive additional immunizations compared to an exclusively indoor cat.
Regardless of your pet’s lifestyle or habits, all dogs and cats must receive appropriate rabies vaccination as required by North Carolina law.
Intestinal Parasite Control
It is advised that we examine your pet’s stool at least annually to check for intestinal parasites. There are many ways for our pets to become infected with parasites. Our pets may:
- Eat grass and dirt infected with parasite eggs
- Play in or drink from unsanitary water sources such as drainage ditches
- Eat other pet’s droppings
- Find and eat portions of dead animals such as rodents or birds
- Obtain some parasites directly from their mom; some parasites can cross the placenta; others can be obtained while nursing
When possible, it is easier on everyone, especially your pet, if you bring a fresh stool sample with you from a recent walk or trip to the litter box. In some instances we may not be able to obtain a stool sample and we may recommend a prophylactic de-worming medication while your pet is at the hospital.
Heartworm Testing & Prevention
Heartworms are parasites that are transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes transmit tiny, microscopic immature heartworms when they bite. The parasites migrate to the heart and lungs where they mature and reproduce. Dogs are most commonly affected but cats may also acquire heartworms. If left untreated, heartworms may eventually lead to heart failure and death.
The best way to insure that your cat or dog stays heartworm free is to use a once-a month heartworm preventive medication. There are several different effective products that include both oral and topically applied medication. The doctors at Stoney Creek Animal Hospital can help you decide on the product that is best suited for your pet.
Flea & Tick Control
Fleas and ticks are capable of causing significant skin irritation in both dogs and cats. Additionally intestinal parasites such as tapeworms and diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever may be transmitted by these external parasites. Flea and tick control has been made easy with the use of once-a-month products for control of these insect pests. Our experienced staff can help you select the flea and tick products that are right for your dog or cat.
