Bayview Wellness and Preventative Care
Pet wellness and preventive care is aimed at keeping your pet healthy and detecting potential health complications before they arise.
The Importance of Annual Exams
Consistent visits to your veterinarian are the best way to keep your pet healthy and prevent issues from becoming too severe or costly. We recommend yearly wellness exams for every cat and dog, although more frequent visits may be encouraged. During a routine exam, we listen to your pet’s heart, evaluate their eyes and mouth, and check their body for abnormal occurrences. This is also the time to discuss your pet’s nutrition, parasite prevention, and address any other questions or concerns you might have.
We strongly encourage you to raise any other concerns you might have, which ensures the development of a wellness plan that’s tailored to you and your pet. Bayview Animal Hospital is also sensitive to the needs of pet owners and is committed to helping you make decisions that are sensible and financially responsible.
What to Expect
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.
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.