Physical Exams
We here at Community Animal Clinic are committed to providing the best patient care possible. This includes routine wellness physical exams and exams for sick patients.
Physical exams are very important throughout an animal’s life. Since they cannot speak to tell us when something is not normal, it is imperative that the veterinarian is able to routinely examine your pet.
Puppies & Kittens
For puppies and kittens, we recommend exams at a minimum at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age. These animals are rapidly growing, and diseases or growth abnormalities can occur very quickly, and early detection is needed to ensure the best possible outcome.
Adult Canines & Felines
For healthy adult dogs and cats, we recommend annual wellness exams along with proper vaccinations and preventative care.
For small dogs and cats age 8 years and older and giant breed dogs 5 years and older, we recommend bi-annual wellness exams. This is important as disease is more likely in this age group and early detection is needed to ensure the best possible outcome.
For all animals with chronic illnesses or on chronic mediation, bi-annual exams are required as disease changes over time and close monitoring and medication adjustment is needed to ensure the best possible care for your pet.
Exotics
For all exotic animals, well or sick, we recommend bi-annual exams. Most of these animals do not show signs of illness until it is late in the course of disease or sometimes is too late to treat. Regular monitoring is vital to their health!
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are used to prevent and help control several diseases that can be severely debilitating or can cause death in your pets. Vaccines also minimize risk of some dangerous diseases that are transmissible to humans. Your pet’s vaccine needs will be discussed with you at your office visit.
Parasites
We recommend annual fecal testing of all pets. In high risk cases, deworming is recommended on a set schedule. The veterinarian will discuss deworming strategies with you at your pet’s office visit.
The American Heartworm Society recommends yearly heartworm testing and prevention for dogs. It is recommended that cats and ferrets also receive yearly heartworm prevention.
Flea/tick prevention and treatment is offered at our hospital. At your pet’s office visit we will be sure to discuss what is most appropriate for your pet.
Microchipping
90% of animals without identification do not make it back home. Tags and collars can be lost or wear out overtime. For permanent identification of your pet we recommend microchipping. The process is quick and easy and once performed you will receive instructions on registering your pet. If you are separated from your pet, the microchip can be scanned by veterinary hospitals and shelters all over the country and an ID made through a national registry. You would then be contacted and reunited with your beloved pet. The chip is about the size of a grain of rice and remains in place throughout your pet’s life.
Routine Diagnostic Screening
Because our pets cannot tell us how they are feeling, we have to rely on other methods of disease detection. Many pets don’t show signs of illness or weakness until their disease may be difficult or impossible to treat. Detecting disease early on may not only prolong the life of your pet but prevent pain and discomfort or manage it early on.
Screening services we recommend are:
Dogs
- Yearly heartworm testing
- Yearly fecal testing
- Yearly wellness blood and urine testing
Cats
- Initial or Heartworm/Feline Leukemia/Feline Immunodefiency virus (FeLV/FIV) testing based on risk
- Yearly fecal testing
- Yearly wellness blood and urine testing