It is important for your pet to receive routine checkups just like it is for you. A complete physical examination for your pet may uncover health issues or concerns. It allows us to make sure that your pet is healthy and also allows us to catch any health problems before they become serious. You should bring your dog or cat in for a checkup at least once a year, and once every 6 months for older pets. Especially when you think how fast a pet's metabolism and aging process occurs.
During the visit we will check your pets' vitals, weight, make sure all vaccinations are up to date, and perform any necessary blood work. Blood work can help to diagnose heart worm and tick disease very common in our area. Tick borne diseases {Erlichia, Anaplasmosis, and Lyme diease} can be picked up by a simple 8 minute in house snap test {Idexx 4DX}. These diseases can be treated more easily when detected early. These disease are 100% preventable with year round heart worm, flea, and tick prevention.
Blood work is also recommended to ensure of our pet's internal health. Routine, yearly blood work includes a complete blood count, chemistry panel, and urinalysis. Depending on age and/or concerns electrolytes, t4 level, or Cardiopet test maybe performed.
Routine Fecal Flotation by Centrifugation and Fecal Giardia tests are needed not only for the health of your pet, but for the health of the family. Al ot of the parasites found in dogs, can be zoonotic {transferred to humans} in nature. Regular deworming is needed. The most important pet in the household that needs regular deworming is our feline friends. Cats come into contact with bugs, insects, and rodents that carry worms. NOT ONLY OUTDOOR CATS!!! INDOOR CATS ARE VERY UNDER DEWORMED!!
Starting in 2012, SFAH will now due all fecal flotations by a method called centrifugation. Although, more sample is needed and may take 24 hours for results, this is the best method for intestinal parasite diagnosis. This is the method supported by the CDC for confirmation of parasites in animals.
During this routine well pet visit, vaccinations will be addressed as to each pet's needs, environment, and age. This is called a risk assessment for vaccinations. Williamson County is a amazing place to live, but we are covered in wild life. Wild life brings diseases, such as Leptospirosis and Rabies. Leptospirosis is a bacteria shed in wildlife's urine and in water. Rabies is a concern in all wildlife, but bats are a major risk for cats, indoors and outdoors. ticks, which bring all tick borne diseases. We want to ensure we protect our pets. Even small dogs can get these diseases. The only dog that would not be exposed is a 100% indoor dog, ie indoor grass. Only seen 2 maybe 3 in 20 years of practice.Young animal diseases become less important at geriatric ages, so communication with the veterinarian and owner team to agree which diseases are still of concern for vaccinations.
SFAH believes prevention is the key in taking care of our pets. Yearly, consistent prevention from parasites such as heart worm, flea, and ticks. Heart worms are a 100% preventable. Transmitted by a mosquito, year a round coverage is a must. We are educated at SFAH on all preventatives and choice the superior products to offer to our clients. Most of our products are used by myself and my staff to see any side effects and results. Regardless, prevention for all 3 are needed year a round. 12-12-12.
Preventative care as best medicine will always be offered. If these tests/care cannot be performed now, consider at later date.