Preventive Care

Preventing diseases or conditions is the best way to keep our pets healthy.   At The Village Animal Hospital we recommend vaccinations, fecal exams, heartworm testing, feline leukemia and FIV test, urinalysis, CBC/chemistry bloodwork, thyroid blood tests, annual exams and senior bloodwork for our senior pets.

Fecal exam - This exam allows us to check for any intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, coccidia, giardia, among others.  Fecal exams are very important because some of the intestinal parasites that our pets can catch are transmissible to humans such as hookworms and roundworms.

Heartworm test – We routinely check dogs for heartworm infection every year.  Dogs get infected with heartworms when they get bitten by a mosquito that carries the heartworm parasite.

Leukemia and FIV test – Testing for leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus is extremely important.  These infections may be passed on from mama cat to kitten, so we always recommend testing cats and kittens with unknown vaccination history.

Urinalysis – By analyzing urine samples we can check the kidney function, as well as screen for urinary crystals or infections.

CBC (complete blood count) – Performing a CBC allows us to check for anemia, possible infections and immune mediated diseases.

Chemistry - This blood work allows us to check for liver, kidney and pancreatic functions as well as electrolyte status and glucose level.

Thyroid test – It's important to check thyroid levels, especially in patients that are potentially hypothyroid (dogs) or hyperthyroid (cats).   Dogs with hypothyroidism usually gain weight and become more sedentary.  Cats with hyperthyroidism begin eating more than usual.  Despite the hearty appetite, they lose weight.  They also start drinking more water,  and hence urinating more than usual.

Annual Bloodwork – We recommend this bloodwork for patients less than 7 years of age.  This bloodwork includes a CBC, chemistry and urinalysis.

Senior Bloodwork  - Senior bloodwork is important for patients that are 7 years and older.  This blood test allows us to check several parameters such as the CBC, chemistry and thyroid.  We also check a urine sample which allows us to better monitor the kidney function among other things.