COMPANION ANIMAL WELLNESS

Complete Physical Exam (annual)

A complete physical exam is as important to your pet's health as it is to our own. It is the best way to recognize and treat problem areas early. During a physical exam the following systems are evaluated: ears, eyes, lymphatic system, oral exam (teeth, tongue, gingiva), dermatological system (skin health, coat quality, lumps or masses are be evaluated and discussed), cardiothoracic auscultation (the heart is evaluated for murmurs and the lungs are evaluated for normal and abnormal lung sounds), genitourinary and gastrointestinal systems (normal vs abnormal urination and defecation), abnormal palpation, musculoskeletal, and neurologic system evaluation are all part of the yearly physical exam.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are essential in disease prevention. There are very deadly diseases that affect unvaccinated dogs (distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza, leptospirosis, rabies) and cats (leukemia, panleukopenia, rabies). Many vaccinations can be given every two or three years once your pet is an adult and has received puppy and/or kitten vaccinations. Our canine and feline vaccinations meet the current, evidence based standard of care for disease prevention.

Parasite Screen (annual)

Testing dogs and cats for internal parasites with a fecal exam  is an important test that should be performed every year. Some parasites are zoonotic, (meaning they are contagious to people) and parasite infections can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or can prevent your pet from maintaining a proper weight. Treating internal parasite infections usually requires a topical or oral medication.

Heartworm Testing (annual)

Every dog should be tested for heartworms annually. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes (a very high risk in the Lowcountry year round). Heartworms can prove fatal if untreated. This disease is easily prevented with monthly heartworm preventatives. During a routine wellness visit we can discuss which preventative is right for you and your pet. 

Nutrition Consult

Often pets require a special diet due to a chronic health problem such as kidney disease, liver disease, or dermatologic conditions. We can help you navigate the selection of available pet foods and/or prescribe a diet that best fits your pets needs.

Geriatric Care

Pets age much faster that we do. After about 7 or 8 years of age a yearly exam with wellness blood-work becomes more important that ever. The earlier a condition is detected, the more effective longterm treatment will be. Animals face many of the same age-related conditions that we do such as back pain, osteoarthritis, cognitive dysfunction, urinary incontinence, or constipation. If your geriatric pet has a chronic condition, then palliative care options can be discussed.