Lakeland Veterinary Hospital

"Caring for pets and the people who love them"

~Annual Wellness Examination~

Disease prevention is always less costly than dealing with the treatment of a disease once your pet has developed it. An example would be the treatment of parvovirus. Parvovirus treatment can frequently cost $1,000 or more!

Also, early diagnosis of a disease process can lead your pet to a longer, healthier life. Sometimes, something as simple as a diet change can improve your pet's life!

What is the recommended preventative care for my adult dog?

What is the recommended preventative care for my adult cat?

• Check for significant weight loss or gain, which can be an early warning sign of disease. Obesity is a common problem for pets. We will assess your pet's diet and nutritional needs.
• Perform a rectal exam, if indicated, to check for abnormalities.
• Assess the condition of legs, hips, joints and spine.
• Assess the hair and coat. It should appear health and well groomed. Dull, dry, brittle hair or hair loss may indicate an underlying illness. Check skin for infection or signs of fleas, ticks or mites.
• Palpate the abdomen for abnormal masses or pain.
• Listen to the chest for heart murmurs, irregular heartbeat and abnormal lung sounds.
• Examine the eyes for cataracts, glaucoma or inflammation.
• Examine the ears for ear mites, infection or inflammation.
• Evaluate nose and nasal passages for signs of upper respiratory disease.
• Check for periodontal disease. As many as 95% of all pets two years and older have periodontal disease. We evaluate your pet's teeth and check the color and condition of the gums.
• Palpate lymph nodes to check for inflammation or tumors.
• Check a blood test for heartworm and a stool test for intestinal parasites.

q Annual wellness examination - after 7 years of age, semiannual examinations are recommended.

q DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza & Parvovirus) vaccine

    Given in puppy series, boostered at one year, then boostered every third year (in most breeds)

q Rabies vaccine - Given in puppy series, boostered at one year, then boostered ever other year

q Lyme vaccine - Lyme disease is passed on by deer ticks.

    Crow Wing county is the highest county with Lyme disease in the state of Minnesota.

q Bordetella vaccine - Necessary if your pet boards, is professionally groomed or professionally trained.

q Check fecal sample for intestinal parasites

q Strategically deworm as recommended by the Center for Disease Control

q Annual heartworm test & heartworm preventatives (given June - November)

q Flea and tick preventative - Use Frontline monthly at the first sign of ticks through fall

q Screen for glaucoma: Glaucoma is a disease that causes high pressure in the eyes and is the number

    one cause of blindness in dogs. All dogs are at risk for glaucoma. If we catch glaucoma early, then we

    have a much better chance of controlling the disease and preventing blindness. We recommend testing

    your dog yearly, starting at 1 year of age.

q Wellness profiles: A wellness profile, consisting of a complete blood count, serum chemistries and serum

    electrolytes, gives us a detailed picture of how your pet is working on the inside. If we identify

    problems early, then we have a better opportunity to treat your pet so that he or she will have the

    best and longest quality of life possible.

q Annual wellness examination

q PRC (Panleukopenia, Rhinotrachetis and Calicivirus)

    Given in kitten series, boostered at one year, then boostered every third year in most breeds

q Rabies vaccine - Given in kitten series, boostered at one year, then boostered ever other year

q Feline Leukemia vaccine

q Check fecal sample for intestinal parasites

q Strategically deworm as recommended by the Center for Disease Control

q Heartworm preventatives (given June - November)

q Flea and tick preventative - Use Frontline monthly at the first sign of ticks through fall

q Wellness profiles: A wellness profile, consisting of a complete blood count, serum chemistries and serum

    electrolytes, gives us a detailed picture of how your pet is working on the inside. If we identify

    problems early, then we have a better opportunity to treat your pet so that he or she will have the

    best and longest quality of life possible.

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