Keeping Your Dog Protected with Preventative Care
What practices are considered preventative care for dogs?
Preventative care for dogs can be split into two groups. One is things that you do at home, and the other is things that we do here in the clinic.
In the clinic, preventative care includes your annual or biannual exams, any lab work we conduct for preventative reasons, vaccines, testing like heartworm testing, and yearly fecal floats to ensure they don't have any intestinal parasites.
At-home preventative care includes basics like helping with your dog's dental hygiene, whether that's brushing or using dental care products, giving them their prevention, ensuring they are at an appropriate weight, and getting good exercise. It can also be tailored to your dog. Do they need more frequent grooming, such as bathing? How often do they need their nails done? Do they need an ear cleaning routine? These are things that can be tailored to each pet, but the basics are often similar.
What does a veterinarian need to know about my dog in order to create a preventative care plan for them?
We need to know about your dog's lifestyle. Are they a couch potato? Do they stay at home most of the time? Do they go boarding, grooming? Are they going to dog shows? Do they play in lakes and rivers and go camping? All of these factors help us tailor what vaccines and preventative care are best for your pet.
What are the benefits of a preventative care routine for dogs?
Preventative care routines are important for our dogs because they help prevent disease. Every vaccine we give, every prevention we offer, and anytime you brush your dog's teeth, we are all trying to prevent a disease process. Some diseases, like dental disease, can't be fully prevented, but you can slow them down, which is crucial to your pet's overall quality of life.
Are there specific guidelines that should be followed for dog preventative care?
There are some core vaccines, such as the rabies vaccine and distemper-parvo combinations, that are routine for every pet, as well as heartworm prevention in areas where heartworms are present, such as in North Carolina. However, part of it is also tailored to your dog and your dog's lifestyle.
Will my dog's preventative care plan change as they age?
The preventative care plan does change as pets get older and as different diseases develop. Some pets that experience allergies and recurrent ear infections may require a home preventive care plan that includes more frequent ear cleanings. Some dogs and breeds are more prone to significant dental disease, so diligent dental care at home and more frequent dentals in the clinic are important.
As your pet ages, they become more prone to developing different metabolic conditions. Although we recommend lab work because we can find diseases in young pets too, it becomes more important as your pet gets older.
What does a dog wellness exam consist of for my dog at Central Providence Veterinary Hospital?
Your dog's wellness exam starts as soon as they walk in. The technician will greet you and get a weight, which is part of the exam to trend where their weight is going. We want to ensure there are no quick or fast changes unless it's something you're working on at home.
A detailed history by our technician will assess how they are doing at home, what they are currently getting in terms of supplements, medication, and food, and if you have any concerns.
The technician will then discuss with the doctor, who will create the best plan for your pet, come in and chat with you, conduct their exam, see if anything else needs to be addressed that day, and then proceed with what is best for your pet. Ensure you schedule those annual or biannual exams for your pet to make sure we are doing everything we can to help.
You’re never alone in caring for your pet’s health. At Central Providence Veterinary Hospital, our team is here to support you every step of the way. Call (704) 318-2228 or email [email protected] to connect with us today.