Adult Wellness Care
Adult Pet Wellness Care in Ellisville, MO
As partners in your pet’s lifelong healthcare, we proactively approach wellness recommendations at Tri-City Animal & Bird Clinic. Our goal is a long and healthy life for your pet, and we believe that preventative wellness care is the primary way to achieve that objective.
Schedule your pet’s exam through our online form or by calling us at (636) 227-4041 today.
Complete Physical Examinations
Comprehensive physical examinations are the most important part of our wellness program. We recommend exams once yearly on healthy pets to ensure they are in good condition. By seeing your pet once a year, our doctors can perform a complete and thorough exam from “nose to toes” to detect problems early when therapy is most effective.
Many medical conditions are detected on physical exams that the owner was unaware were present because pets cannot always communicate how they feel and tend to hide their illnesses. Early detection, recognition, and timely intervention of medical conditions are the keys to a long, healthy life.
The Importance of Routine Vaccinations
Vaccinations are tailored to your pet’s needs and risks of exposure. A lot of research and debate within the veterinary profession over the last few years has centered on appropriate wellness care and pet vaccination protocols.
At Tri-City Animal & Bird Clinic, we have followed the research and discussion to provide our patients with the best care. We have learned that vaccinations are critical for protecting pets against contagious diseases, but vaccinations should not be given more frequently than necessary. New research indicates that some vaccinations provide immunity for more than one year. Other vaccinations provide immunity for LESS than one year. The time when all vaccinations should be given yearly is past!
A vaccination protocol will be recommended for your pet based on their exposure and according to the newest knowledge regarding vaccinations. For example, most adult dogs will be vaccinated every 12 months for Bordetella and Leptospirosis but only every three years for Distemper/Parvo. Cats will require some vaccinations yearly and others every three years, and the vaccinations may be split and given separately to decrease the stress on the immune system.
Parasite Prevention in Dogs & Cats
Parasite prevention is an important healthcare concern not only for your pet but for your family as well. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports many cases each year of contagious parasitic diseases from pets to people. Most of these diseases could have easily been prevented with routine veterinary care.
Puppies and kittens should receive a series of fecal tests and deworming, and adult companion animals should have a health assessment and fecal test every year. Our area also has a significant risk to dogs and cats for heartworm infections. We recommend that dogs be tested once yearly and that dogs and cats take a preventative once a month to prevent these deadly parasites.
Annual Health Screening
A complete profile and urinalysis on senior or ill pets may be recommended at their wellness exam to look for diseases like diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid disease, and anemia. These types of diseases cannot be detected by physical exam alone, and early intervention can significantly affect your pet’s response to therapy.
For your pet’s wellness appointment, call our office at (636) 227-4041 today.