Preventative Pet Care

Quality Care Preventative Care

Our preventative health vaccination programs are designed to prevent disease and prolong the lives of your companion animals. Disease prevention is always less costly than dealing with the treatment of a disease once your pet has developed it. An example would be the treatment of parvovirus. Parvovirus treatment can frequently cost $600 or more, while a single parvovirus vaccination will usually cost less than $40.

Early diagnosis of disease processes can lead to longer, healthier lives for your pets. Annual physical exams can often detect health problems before they become life-threatening. Examples include organ function problems such as beginning heart and kidney failure, hormone dysfunctions like diabetes, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, parasite infestations like heartworms, hookworms, whipworms, and treatable cancer conditions like melanoma, mast cell tumors, and lymphoma.

When it comes to preventive health, nothing is more important than regular dental care. Dogs and cats can’t brush their teeth, so very often, by middle age, their teeth have become covered with plaque which leads to gum disease and tooth loss (plus a most objectionable halitosis). Regular dental scalings can prevent this. Research shows that gum disease is a major cause of organ failure by allowing pathogens to invade the bloodstream and infect the heart, liver, and kidney tissues. Regular dental scalings also allow your veterinarian to thoroughly examine your pet’s mouth, looking for early signs of oral tumors, which can often be successfully treated before becoming inoperable.