Preventative Vet Care in Abbotsford
Ensuring your pet visits the vet regularly for preventative care is one of the best and simplest ways to help maintain your pet’s health. Not only does seeing your pet regularly provide us with a baseline for their health, but it also gives us the best chance of catching any changes early, which can mean more treatment options and better outcomes.
What is a Preventative Vet Care Visit?
During your pet’s preventative care appointment, we’ll complete a full nose-to-tail physical exam, review and administer any dog or cat vaccinations that are due, and assess weight, dental health , and nutrition. Where appropriate, we’ll recommend blood and diagnostic screening. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your pet.
A Nose to Tail Look at Your Pet
During your pet’s exam, we may:
- Look inside your pet’s mouth at the gums and teeth
- Listen to your pet’s heartbeat and lungs
- Inspect your pet’s coat and skin
- Feel your pet’s joints and muscles
- Use a thermometer to take a temperature reading
- Weigh your pet
- Palpate your pet’s stomach and abdomen to feel for abnormalities
- Check for any unusual lumps, bumps, or other physical changes
Dog and Cat Vaccinations in Abbotsford
Keeping your pet’s vaccinations current is an important part of caring for your pet. Vaccines protect your cat or dog against serious diseases and are required by many boarding kennels, groomers, and doggy daycares in BC.
At Mill Lake Veterinary Clinic, in addition to core vaccines, we recommend a vaccination schedule tailored to your pet’s age, lifestyle, and history. Our veterinarians will walk you through what’s due and explain the reasoning behind each recommendation so you can make an informed decision for your pet.
Pet Nutrition Consulting in Abbotsford
What your pet eats has a direct impact on how they feel and how long they stay healthy. Obesity is one of the most common and preventable health issues in cats and dogs. At the other end of the spectrum, if a pet is underweight, it may indicate underlying issues.
During your appointment, the team at Mill Lake Veterinary Clinic is happy to talk through food choices, portion sizes, and dietary needs. We can point you in the right direction, whether you have a puppy or kitten just getting started, an adult pet you want to keep in great shape, or a senior with changing nutritional needs.
What Age of Pet Needs Preventative Care?
Preventative vet care benefits cats and dogs at every stage of life. We recommend annual wellness exams for healthy adult pets, and twice-yearly visits for seniors. If your pet is new to your family or overdue for a check-up, this is a great place to start.
Preventative Pet Care FAQs
Once a year is the general recommendation for healthy adult pets. Senior dogs and cats benefit from visits every six months.
A routine wellness exam covers a full physical assessment, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and a conversation about your pet’s health tailored to their age, breed, and lifestyle.
Core vaccines for dogs include DAPP, leptospirosis, and rabies. Cats typically receive FVRCP and rabies vaccines. We may recommend additional vaccines based on your pet’s lifestyle and history.