Pet Wellness Services
Keeping Your Pet Happy and Healthy
As medical professionals, we know that preventive care is the most effective and least expensive means of protecting a pet’s well being. That’s why we recommend yearly nose-to-tail wellness checkups, a balanced approach to vaccinations, microchip pet identification, and regular screenings for diseases that afflict pets in their later years.
Good communication is an essential part of preventive medicine. We believe that educating our clients and being as open as possible to questions and concerns are vital aspects of ensuring a lifetime of good health for pets. A wealth of medical knowledge is of little value unless it is shared with pet owners. We have a strong focus on pet owner education and communication. Our team approach provides the best care for your pet.
Unfortunately, despite our best efforts we realize pets may experience periodic illness or injury. The skill, experience, and extensive education of our medical team allow us to effectively manage complex medical and surgical challenges. Your pet will be treated by the medical professionals he or she has come to know in a familiar setting. And, should you need to enlist the help of a veterinary specialist, we will assist in every way possible.
Wellness Exams
You get an annual checkup. What about your pet?
Because our pets can’t tell us how they feel, a regular physical examination is a very important piece of your pet’s health care. Progressive Animal Wellness recommends a complete nose-to-tail wellness examination at least once a year, and encourages more frequent exams, especially for senior pets.
A routine examination provides you and your veterinarian with the opportunity to develop a picture of your pet’s overall health as well as to spot potential medical issues before they become serious health concerns. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask any important questions you may have about your pet’s health, habits, and daily care. We use this time to discuss home healthcare for your pet and offer important advice and new information relevant to the care of your particular type and breed of animal.
During your pet’s wellness checkup, your veterinarian will:
Listen to your pet’s heart – Early signs of cardiac disease such as heart murmurs and abnormal heart beat patterns known as arrhythmias can be heard through a stethoscope. Discovering these initial indicators of trouble ahead can lead to identifying and treating the underlying condition before it becomes a more serious and expensive health threat.
Listen to your pet’s lungs – Health issues such as infections, obstructive diseases, and other problems can be detected by listening to your pet’s lungs through a stethoscope. The doctor can also assess the overall pulmonary health of your pet.
Check your pet’s teeth and oral cavity – Examining your pet’s teeth and mouth is an important part of preventing dental disease, which is one of the most common health concerns in pets. Very young animals, such as kittens and puppies, also need to be checked to ensure they are developing an appropriate bite and that they are losing their baby teeth at the right time. We also take the time to discuss proper home dental care with you.
Evaluate your pet’s vision – All diseases follow relatively predictable processes and, if found early, can be more easily treated. Eye conditions, which can also be prevented through regular care and screenings, are no exception.
Look into your pet’s ears – Ear disease, or otitis, is relatively common in many pets. Issues such as low-grade allergies, conditions resulting from swimming or bathing, reactions to certain foods, mites and other parasites can all cause and contribute to otitis. While there is a lot you can do to care for your pet’s ears at home, most ear disease is difficult to detect and requires medical treatment.
Examine the lymph nodes, abdomen and skin – By feeling the skin (palpating), we can detect unusual lumps or swellings as well as evaluate for skin discolorations, lesions, or patterns of hair loss or thinning. These can indicate the presence of more systemic problems, especially metabolic diseases, which most commonly occur in middle-aged animals.
Examine joints and muscles – By palpating the joints, legs, and other areas of the body, we are able to feel for swollen joints, decreased muscle tone and variations in muscle size between the limbs. We also observe gait for developmental issues. In puppies, we look for early indications of hip and elbow dysplasia. In older pets, we look for signs of arthritis, which can be well-treated with early detection.
Lab work – A complete physical includes a heartworm test, parasite screening, and full blood workup. Our techs identify the presence of underlying disease processes and help create a baseline should your pet become ill between routine examinations. In addition, blood work is necessary if your veterinarian recommends a dental cleaning, removal of skin masses, or any other procedure that requires anesthesia.