Your Pet's Annual Exam
We strongly recommend annual visits to the vet clinic for both cats and dogs. Why might that be?
It’s not all about vaccines.
Please see the history form at the end of this page to fill out for your pet's appointment so we can spend more time with you.
HISTORY TAKING
Before your pet arrives for their appointment, we would like to gather history so we can spend more time with you and your pet.
What is their lifestyle?
Tell us about the typical day of your pet. Knowing who your pet interacts with, where they travel, their activity level and what they eat helps us to paint a picture of what risks they may be exposed to.
For example, do you take your dog to public areas where they may have close contact with other dogs such as dog parks or grooming facilities? They may benefit from the kennel cough vaccine.
Does your dog go camping with your family where there is a high risk of Lyme disease from ticks? Tick prevention in the form of topical or oral products. As well we can discuss vaccination against Lyme.
Does your kitty hunt and eat houseflies inside your home? Despite being an indoor cat, cats can contact intestinal parasites, such as roundworm and tapeworm from eating insects.
We want to know if you have any specific behavior concerns for your pet.
Physical Examination
A lot of changes occur in the health of your pet during a calendar year. Their lifespans differ from that of a human and correspondingly, growth and aging occurs at a faster rate. Your pet may outwardly seem themselves, but on physical exam, early signs of disease may be present.
The goal of a physical examination is to assess an animal’s health by examining their body systems. This is done by sight, smell, listening to the heart and lungs and touch (feeling internal organs through palpation and manipulating joints). We will look for symmetry and examine the eyes, ears, nose, teeth and gums, throat, lymph nodes, skin, nails, genitals and abdomen.
A pet’s mental state, nerve function and gait can also be assessed during examination – this is known as a neurological exam. In addition, your pet’s body condition score, weight fluctuations and degree of muscling are assessed.
Vaccines
Vaccines may not be protective unless they are correctly administered at the appropriate intervals. There are vaccine guidelines that form the basis for our recommendations for which vaccines should be given to your pet. These recommendations change based on your pet’s age, risk of exposure, health and history of vaccine reactions.
CANINE VACCINES
FELINE VACCINES
It’s not all about vaccines.
Please see the history form at the end of this page to fill out for your pet's appointment so we can spend more time with you.
HISTORY TAKING
Before your pet arrives for their appointment, we would like to gather history so we can spend more time with you and your pet.
What is their lifestyle?
Tell us about the typical day of your pet. Knowing who your pet interacts with, where they travel, their activity level and what they eat helps us to paint a picture of what risks they may be exposed to.
For example, do you take your dog to public areas where they may have close contact with other dogs such as dog parks or grooming facilities? They may benefit from the kennel cough vaccine.
Does your dog go camping with your family where there is a high risk of Lyme disease from ticks? Tick prevention in the form of topical or oral products. As well we can discuss vaccination against Lyme.
Does your kitty hunt and eat houseflies inside your home? Despite being an indoor cat, cats can contact intestinal parasites, such as roundworm and tapeworm from eating insects.
We want to know if you have any specific behavior concerns for your pet.
- Are you worried that your pet will be stressed when the new baby joins the family?
- Is your new kitten scratching the furniture?
- Is your dog anxious when left home alone?
- Is your senior cat howling during the night?
Physical Examination
A lot of changes occur in the health of your pet during a calendar year. Their lifespans differ from that of a human and correspondingly, growth and aging occurs at a faster rate. Your pet may outwardly seem themselves, but on physical exam, early signs of disease may be present.
The goal of a physical examination is to assess an animal’s health by examining their body systems. This is done by sight, smell, listening to the heart and lungs and touch (feeling internal organs through palpation and manipulating joints). We will look for symmetry and examine the eyes, ears, nose, teeth and gums, throat, lymph nodes, skin, nails, genitals and abdomen.
A pet’s mental state, nerve function and gait can also be assessed during examination – this is known as a neurological exam. In addition, your pet’s body condition score, weight fluctuations and degree of muscling are assessed.
Vaccines
Vaccines may not be protective unless they are correctly administered at the appropriate intervals. There are vaccine guidelines that form the basis for our recommendations for which vaccines should be given to your pet. These recommendations change based on your pet’s age, risk of exposure, health and history of vaccine reactions.
CANINE VACCINES
- DAPP (Distemper, Adenovirus or Hepatitis, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza) are recommended two years consecutively in the beginning of your dog's life than every three years.
- Leptospirosis is recommended yearly and protects your pet from a water-borne bacteria that is spread through the urine of infected wildlife (rodents, racoons, deer). People get leptospirosis when they come into contact with the bacteria, for example through contact with soil or water that is contaminated with the urine of infected animals.
- Rabies is a deadly neurological virus that is transmissible to people. This vaccine is required by law.
- Bordetella (kennel cough) is a highly contagious airborne virus that is spread from dog to dog from direct and indirect contact. Although not fatal, it can cause your pet to become very sick and produce a cough similar to whooping cough. It is very uncomfortable and can make pets feel very ill and may require antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infection. This vaccine is strongly recommended if your pet goes to the groomer's and/or visits dog parks.
FELINE VACCINES
- FVRCP (Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calici and Panleukopenia) are recommended two years consecutively in the beginning of your cat's life than every three years.
- Feline Leukemia is boostered every two years if your pet receives this vaccine.
- Rabies can be given yearly or every three years. Our preference is every three years.
Dear Friends,
In order to respect physical distancing and to help minimize wait times, we are asking our clients to kindly respond to the following questions and email your responses 24-48 hours before you arrive for your appointment.
Appointment times are booked for 30 minutes. If you have a concern about your pet or a new health issue arises between booking and your appointment, please notify us ASAP as we may want to adjust the appointment to allow for more time and/or change the appointment sooner.
Please let us know ahead of time if you have any questions.
In order to respect physical distancing and to help minimize wait times, we are asking our clients to kindly respond to the following questions and email your responses 24-48 hours before you arrive for your appointment.
Appointment times are booked for 30 minutes. If you have a concern about your pet or a new health issue arises between booking and your appointment, please notify us ASAP as we may want to adjust the appointment to allow for more time and/or change the appointment sooner.
Please let us know ahead of time if you have any questions.