YEARLY WELLNESS EXAMS AT ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF DAUPHIN COUNTY

As your trusted veterinary hospital, we want to emphasize the importance of scheduling yearly wellness exams for your beloved furry companions. Just like humans, our pets can benefit greatly from regular health check-ups to monitor their well-being and detect any potential issues early on.

During a wellness exam, our experienced veterinarians will thoroughly examine your pet from head to tail, checking for any signs of illness or underlying health concerns. This includes assessing their weight, heart and respiratory rate, dental health, skin and coat condition, and overall body condition. We recommend yearly blood work and intestinal parasite testing as well as other diagnostic tests to screen for common diseases such as heartworm, Lyme disease, or diabetes.

By staying on top of your pet's health with yearly wellness exams, you can help ensure they live a long and healthy life. Early detection of health problems can lead to more effective treatment and better outcomes for your furry friend. Plus, preventive care and regular check-ups can help avoid costly medical bills down the road.

Remember, our pets age much faster than we do, so annual wellness exams are crucial for monitoring their health as they grow older. So don't wait until your pet shows symptoms of illness - schedule their yearly wellness exam today and give them the gift of good health and happiness.

RECOMMENDATIONS OUR VETERINARIANS AND TECHNICIANS WILL DISCUSS DURING YOUR VISIT

Canine Companions

Vaccines

• Rabies vaccine: Core vaccination. Pets legally need to be up to date on rabies vaccination. The rabies vaccine helps keep the pet from contracting rabies and protects anyone who may be accidentally bit or scratched by your pet.
• DAP/P and DALP/P vaccine: Core vaccination. DAP/P is like DALP/P except it does not contain leptospirosis bacteria. The vaccine covers Distemper (a virus that attacks the respiratory and nervous system), Adenovirus (the cause of canine hepatitis, which causes severe liver disease), Leptospirosis (a bacteria that causes liver and/or kidney failure and is contagious to humans), Parainfluenza (a respiratory disease, which differs from canine influenza), and Parvovirus (causes severe gastrointestinal signs and can be fatal, especially in puppies).
• Lyme Vaccine: Core vaccination. Lyme disease is contracted from the bite of an infected deer tick. It is uncommon to see the tick since they are very small and only need to be attached for 24 hours in order to spread the disease. Lyme disease is very common in this area and can be found anywhere there are deer, mice, rabbits, or robins since these animals also carry deer ticks. Lyme disease often attacks the
• joints but can also cause fatal kidney, heart, or neurologic disease. While the vaccine is not 100% effective it decreases the dog’s chance of contracting it and will likely decrease the severity of the disease.
• Bordetella Vaccine: Lifestyle vaccination. Bordetella is the most common cause of kennel cough, a respiratory disease that can progress to pneumonia if not treated. This vaccine is recommended for dogs that go to kennels, groomers, dog parks, training classes or other areas where unfamiliar dogs are in close contact. Many kennels and grooming facilities require proof of vaccination.
• CIV Vaccine: Lifestyle vaccination. Canine influenza virus is a respiratory infection that can progress to pneumonia if not treated. It is passed amongst canines like Bordetella and the symptoms are the same. Any dog at risk for kennel cough can also be at risk for canine influenza. Some kennels and groomers will require proof of vaccination.

Preventative Testing

• Fecal Examination: Recommended at least twice in puppies and then yearly. In animals that hunt or eat wildlife, it is recommended to submit samples more often. Fecal sample should be less than 8 hours old. Samples are sent to our laboratory, and they test for roundworm eggs, hookworm eggs, whipworm eggs, giardia, and coccidia. Fecal examinations are important for the health of both the pet and family because many of these worms can be passed to people and can be especially dangerous in young children, the elderly and immunocompromised people. Even indoor pets should be tested since eggs can live in the soil and can be tracked in on shoes or paws.
• Heartworm and tick-borne diseases Testing: Combo testing recommended yearly. This test only required a small sample of blood from your canine companion. Heartworm, one component of the test is a very serious disease that is passed by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes inject microfilaria (baby heartworms) into the animal, and they move to the major vessels of the lungs where they develop into long, slender worms. As the disease progresses, the animal experiences difficulty breathing and eventually develops heart failure or respiratory distress. Heartworm is very common in the south but is increasing in prevalence in our area. While heartworm treatment is fairly expensive and dangerous, prevention is relatively easy. We recommend that our patients be on heartworm prevention year-round. The other 3 diseases we test for (Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Lyme Disease) are passed by ticks and often present with lethargy and painful joints. Anaplasma can also attack your dog’s platelets (small, colorless cell fragments in our blood that form clots and stop or prevent bleeding).
• Wellness Bloodwork: Recommended yearly after 1 year of age. All our early disease detection panels include a chemistry panel to check organ function and a complete blood cell count. Annual bloodwork is important because every animal has their own normal blood values. Yearly bloodwork is helpful to determine what is normal for each animal before they become ill. As we perform bloodwork yearly, we can monitor for underlying disease so we will be able to catch diseases early and begin treatment as soon as possible. As the pets age, additional chemistry values and thyroid testing are included to further monitor for underlying disease. Hypothyroid disease is common in middle age to older dogs. Diagnosing and treating this disease is important because it makes dogs more prone to infections and skin problems. Dogs may also gain weight, have decreased energy, and lose hair along their back and sides. While these symptoms can be vague and are often thought to be normal signs of aging, thyroid testing helps us to determine if medication is needed to supplement an underactive thyroid gland. By comparing different thyroid blood results run at different times, we can determine how long the disease process has been occurring which allows us to treat the condition properly.
• Urinalysis: Recommended for every dog yearly after age 6. Urine samples are sent to the laboratory where they look at the concentration and acidity of the urine and determine if there is anything abnormal present in the urine such as bacteria, protein, blood, etc. It is important to check older animal’s urine
• because many common diseases show changes in the urine before changes are seen in the bloodwork. Test yearly urine samples also help us to determine the health of the urinary tract. For example, if the acidity of the urine is not correct, it can make the pet more prone to bladder infections and stones. By fixing the acidity, we can help to prevent these uncomfortable and possibly serious problems.
• Radiographs: Recommended after age 10 based on the health of your dog. These tests are used to help determine the health of the heart and lungs. Heart disease is relatively common in many breeds of dogs as they become older. Once heart disease is detected, we can start the pet on medication to slow the progression and make them more comfortable. Radiographs are an easy and non-invasive way of seeing what’s going on inside the body. With radiographs many diseases such as cancer can be diagnosed before symptoms are seen.

Dental Education

• Dental Evaluation/Dental Care: We believe it is very important to discuss proper dental care to prevent and slow the progression of dental disease. When needed, professional dental cleanings and dental radiographs are done to fully evaluate the patient’s oral health. A cleaning will remove calculus and polish teeth. If diseased teeth are present visually or upon radiographs the veterinarian will recommend, they are extracted to prevent the spread of disease and decrease pain. Dental cleanings need to be done under anesthesia to get the best possible results and so the animals do not experience any discomfort. Dental care is important since periodontal disease can lead to other illnesses such as kidney or liver disease. At examinations, the vet examines the pet's teeth and determines if dental disease is present and what is needed to treat or prevent disease. In puppies, the vet examines the teeth to check alignment and to make sure all the proper teeth are present. At six months and older the vet ensures there are no remaining baby teeth. If baby teeth are present after six months of age our veterinarians recommend these are removed if present because they can lead to misalignment and crowding.

Feline Companions

Vaccines

• Rabies vaccine: Core vaccination. Pets legally need to be up to date on rabies vaccination. The rabies vaccine helps keep the pet from contracting rabies and protects anyone who may be accidentally bit or scratched by your pet.
• FVRCP: Core vaccination. The FVRCP vaccine is a combination vaccine for feline viral rhinotracheitis (an upper respiratory disease), calicivirus (causes upper respiratory symptoms +/- oral ulcers), and panleukopenia (causes severe gastrointestinal signs along with respiratory and neurologic signs, which can often be fatal).
• Feline Leukemia Vx: Lifestyle Vaccine. The feline leukemia vaccine helps prevent animals from contracting feline leukemia virus. Feline leukemia virus is a disease that attacks the immune system and is eventually fatal. No cure or treatment exists for this disease. We recommend this vaccine for any cat that goes outside or is exposed to cats with unknown feline leukemia status.

Preventative Testing

• Fecal Examination: Recommended at least twice in kittens and then yearly. In animals that hunt or eat wildlife, it is recommended to submit samples more often. Fecal sample should be less than 8 hours old. Samples are sent to our laboratory, and they test for roundworm eggs, hookworm eggs, whipworm eggs, giardia, and coccidia. Fecal examinations are important for the health of both the pet and family because many of these worms can be passed to people and can be especially dangerous in young children, the elderly and immunocompromised people. Even indoor pets should be tested since eggs can live in the soil and can be tracked in on shoes or paws.
• Feline Leukemia/Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Combo Test: The Feline Leukemia/FIV combo test is important to test every kitten or stray cat when owner first adopts if have not been recently tested. This test only required a small sample of blood from your feline companion. It is also important to regularly test cats that go outside since they are constantly at risk of exposure. It is estimated that about 10% of outdoor cats are infected with one of the viruses. Neither disease is curable, and both are eventually fatal due to immunosuppression. Feline Leukemia is passed mostly from mother to kitten or through mating and FIV is mostly passed through fighting, although both can be passed by any intimate contact such as grooming. It is important to know a cat's status even though there are no cure so proper precautions can be taken such as avoiding exposure to negative cats and being more alert to health problems that progress more quickly with a weakened immune system. While some people elect to euthanize positive cats to decrease exposure to negative cats, many of these cats can live a long life with proper medical attention.
• Wellness Bloodwork: Recommended yearly after 1 year of age. All our early disease detection panels include a chemistry panel to check organ function and a complete blood cell count. Annual bloodwork is important because every animal has their own normal blood values. Yearly bloodwork is helpful to determine what is normal for each animal before they become ill. As we perform bloodwork yearly, we can monitor for underlying disease so we will be able to catch diseases early and begin treatment as soon as possible. As the pets age, additional chemistry values and thyroid testing are included to further monitor for underlying disease.
• Urinalysis: Recommended for every feline yearly after age 8. Urine samples are sent to the laboratory where they look at the concentration and acidity of the urine and determine if there is anything abnormal present in the urine such as bacteria, protein, blood, etc. It is important to check older animal’s urine because many common diseases show changes in the urine before changes are seen in the bloodwork. Test yearly urine samples also help us to determine the health of the urinary tract. For example, if the acidity of the urine is not correct, it can make the pet more prone to bladder infections and stones. By fixing the acidity, we can help to prevent these uncomfortable and possibly serious problems.
• Radiographs: Recommended after age 10 based on the health of your cat. These tests are used to help determine the health of the heart and lungs. Heart disease is relatively common in many breeds of dogs as they become older. Once heart disease is detected, we can start the pet on medication to slow the progression and make them more comfortable. Radiographs are an easy and non-invasive way of seeing what’s going on inside the body. With radiographs many diseases such as cancer can be diagnosed before symptoms are seen.

Dental Education

• Dental Evaluation/Dental Care: We believe it is very important to discuss proper dental care to prevent and slow the progression of dental disease. When needed, professional dental cleanings and dental radiographs are done to fully evaluate the patient’s oral health. A cleaning will remove calculus and polish teeth. If diseased teeth are present visually or upon radiographs the veterinarian will recommend, they are extracted to prevent the spread of disease and decrease pain. Dental cleanings need to be done under anesthesia to get the best possible results and so the animals do not experience any discomfort. Dental care is important since periodontal disease can lead to other illnesses such as kidney or liver disease. At examinations, the vet examines the pet's teeth and determines if dental disease is present and what is needed to treat or prevent disease. In puppies, the vet examines the teeth to check alignment and to make sure all the proper teeth are present. At six months and older the vet ensures there are no remaining baby teeth. If baby teeth are present after six months of age our veterinarians recommend these are removed if present because they can lead to misalignment and crowding.

AT HOME PREVENTATIVE CARE for the feline and canine companion

Dental

• Dental Care: At home dental care includes tooth brushing (soft brush, pet toothpaste, swirl on paste), dental chews, and water/food additives. The best plan for each animal is based on the owner's ability and pet's acceptance. Our veterinarians recommend dental products with a VOHC seal. Check out recommended products HERE.

Flea/Tick and Heartworm Prevention

• Flea/Tick Control: Year-round flea and tick control is important for both cats and dogs. Fleas can carry infectious diseases and can cause animals’ severe discomfort. If animals have a large flea burden it can also cause blood loss or skin disease. Some animals are allergic to flea saliva and just one flea bite can cause discomfort and skin disease. Ticks also can carry diseases (ex. Lyme, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, etc). It is important to continue flea/tick control in the winter since our winters are not consistently cold enough to keep these pests away and they may also survive in the warm temperatures of your home. Treating your pet with preventative is important since these insects can be carried inside on clothing, on fur when dogs go outside to the bathroom, or on objects brought indoors. Fleas are small enough to travel under doorways or through some screens. Fleas and ticks can bite family members and cause further annoyance and risks. See a list of our recommended products below and check out our ONLINE PHARMACY to purchase.
• Heartworm Disease Control: Heartworm is a very serious disease that is passed by mosquitoes. We recommend that our patients be on heartworm prevention year-round. If the dog is over 6 months of age, they must be tested negative for heartworm prior to starting preventatives. Placing a heartworm positive animal on any preventative can be life threatening. We stress heartworm testing regularly because there is less chance of complications if the disease is caught early and treated prior to changes in the lungs and heart. Since the test only reacts to adult worms and it takes microfilaria 6 months to develop, we only test dogs older than 6 months of age. For more information on Heartworm Disease visit: https://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources

CANINE PREVENTATIVES

Canine Flea/Tick prevention:

• NexGard
• Credelio
• Bravecto
• Vectra 3D

Canine Heartworm prevention:

• Sentinel
• Interceptor Plus

Canine COMBO prevention (Flea/Tick AND Heartworm):

• Simparica TRIO

FELINE PREVENTATIVES

Feline Flea/Tick prevention:

• Bravecto Plus
• Credelio Cat
• Seresto Collar for Cats

Feline Flea/Tick AND Heartworm prevention

• Revolution Plus
• NexGard COMBO

Nutrition/Exercise and healthy Body Weight: Just like in humans, being overweight or obese can lead to a myriad of health problems for our furry friends. Carrying excess weight puts strain on their joints and can lead to arthritis and mobility issues. It can also exacerbate pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory issues. Additionally, overweight pets are at a higher risk for developing certain cancers. Maintaining a healthy weight for your pet involves a combination of proper diet and regular exercise. By keeping your pet at a healthy weight, you will not only improve their quality of life, but also extend their lifespan. Our veterinarians recommend avoiding grain-fee diets, as they have been linked with heart disease.

RECOMMENDED FOOD BRANDS:

• Science Diet
• Purina ProPlan
• Royal Canin

TIPS TO AVOID AN OBESE PET:

• Avoid free feeding.
• Provide enrichment with foraging balls and puzzle feeders.
• Limit treats and human food to less than 10% of daily calories.