Pet Health & Wellness

At the annual visit, our veterinarians perform a complete, head-to-tail exam to determine overall pet health. This is an excellent time to discuss any changes in your animal companion since the last visit, such as weight fluctuations, behavioral issues, or overall condition. These changes often signal a developing health problem long before medical symptoms become apparent.

You can expect basic heartworm tests for healthy dogs and more detailed diagnostics if the patient has a medical problem. We customize our wellness testing to meet the specific needs of your pet, without unnecessary lab work or procedures.

At this visit, our veterinarians take the time discuss your pet’s nutrition, explain parasite prevention, and address any other questions or concerns. The annual wellness exam is also the time to update vaccinations.

Vaccines are critical to creating an effective wellness plan. When determining a vaccination schedule for your pet, our team takes into account many factors, including lifestyle and risk for certain diseases. The annual wellness exam is also a good time to update your pet’s vaccinations.

For dogs, these might include:

• Rabies
• Canine distemper
• Parvovirus
• Leptosporosis
• Bordetella (kennel cough)
• Canine influenza
• Lyme disease

For cats, these might include:

• Rabies
• Respiratory diseases
• Feline leukemia

The need for vaccinations depends on the individual dog or cat, considering a variety of factors: age, breed, health, and lifestyle. We devise a plan that works best for you and your pet’s health.

Microchipping is a safe, easy way to keep track of your pet at all times. Each microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted between your pet’s shoulder blades. In the event your pet goes missing, most veterinary hospitals and humane societies have electronic scanners, which will read your pet’s microchip and allow for their safe return. The procedure is as simple as a vaccine and remains active for the duration of your pet’s life. At Bayview Animal Hospital, our microchips are universal and do not require the payment of a maintenance fee.