Canine Wellness Visits

Wellness visits for dogs are comprised of three main aspects: routine testing, examination, and vaccination.

Routine Testing:
It is recommended that all dogs receive two tests annually - the 4DX and an Intestinal Parasite Test. The 4DX uses a few drops of your dog's blood to screen for Heartworm Disease and the most common tick-borne illnesses (Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, and Lyme Disease). An intestinal parasite test uses a small sample of your pets stool to screen for common parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms.
A technician will borrow your dog from the exam room to draw blood and obtain a stool sample if you were unable to procure one prior to their appointment. This takes only a few minutes and is tolerated very well by nearly all dogs.

Examination:
During your dog's exam, our doctors will look at and feel almost every part of them. Usually beginning at the head, they will look in their eyes, ears, and mouth. They will feel your dog's lymph nodes for enlargement. All legs will be put through a basic range of motion to evaluate for arthritis and pain. Your dog's belly will be palpated to check on their internal organs. The doctor will listen to their heart and lungs. Your dog's skin and coat will be checked and may be combed to check for evidence of fleas.
This is the best time to raise any concerns and discuss any changes in behavior or lifestyle you've seen at home. Our doctors are happy to answer any questions during your dog's exam.

Vaccination:
After their exam, the doctor will vaccinate your dog. Vaccinations vary by year, but young and healthy pets require at least one every year. See the Canine Vaccinations page for more information.
In dogs, vaccinations are given under the skin with a small needle. This is far less uncomfortable than the intramuscular injections that humans usually receive.

Feline Wellness Visits

Wellness visits for cats are comprised of two main aspects: examination and vaccination.

Examination:
During your pet's exam, our doctors will look at and feel almost every part of them. Usually beginning at the head, they will look in their eyes, ears, and mouth. They will feel your cats's lymph nodes for enlargement. All legs will be put through a basic range of motion to evaluate for arthritis and pain. Your cat's belly will be palpated to check on their internal organs and, if tolerated, the technician may roll your cat onto their back so the doctor can look at the skin of their belly. The doctor will listen to their heart and lungs. Your cat's skin and coat will be checked and may be combed to check for evidence of fleas.
This is the best time to raise any concerns and discuss any changes in behavior or lifestyle you've seen at home. Our doctors are happy to answer any questions during your cat's exam.

Vaccination:
After their exam, the doctor will vaccinate your cat. Vaccinations vary by year and for indoor and outdoor cats, but young and healthy pets require at least one every year. See the Feline Vaccinations page for more information.
In cats, vaccinations are given under the skin with a small needle. This is far less uncomfortable than the intramuscular injections that humans usually receive.

Outdoor cats will also receive a topical dewormer during their visit. Cats that go outdoors and hunt are very prone to intestinal parasites, so they are routinely dewormed.