Routine Wellness Care
We provide a life-long program of wellness care to ensure our furry family members are healthy and do not pose a health risk to the rest of our families. This program encompasses routine physical examinations, vaccinations, parasite testing/control and dental care.
Our pets physically age more rapidly than humans do, in some cases they age the equivalent of seven years in twelve calendar months. Because of this, we can expect physical changes and diseases to develop and progress rapidly in our pets. To help identify problems and initiate treatments early, we perform a thorough physical examination in conjunction with annual vaccinations and a parasite screening during the annual wellness appointment.
Annual Vaccinations
Annual vaccinations are provided to help our pets develop the antibodies that ward off diseases which are often debilitating to them (e.g., Canine Distemper) and in some cases deadly to us (e.g., Rabies). Follow these links to learn more about common diseases in cats and dogs, and our vaccination protocols.
Puppy/Canine Vaccinations Protocol
Kitten/Feline Vaccination Protocol
Parasite Testing
Intestinal parasites are not only a common cause of illness in dogs and cats, in many cases these parasites are zoonotic (able to cause disease in humans). Children are especially susceptible to hookworms and roundworms; dog and cat common roundworms are known to cause blindness in children. It is essential to routinely test and treat our dogs and cats for these parasites. We perform a parasite examination for each dog and cat during the annual wellness examination and vaccination appointment.
Click Here to learn more about our Parasite Testing
Dental Evaluation
An often-overlooked area that has a major impact on our pets' health is dental disease. During the annual wellness examination we perform an oral exam to assess every pet's dental health. Town & Country offers dental services, when your pet needs them. Good dental health is essential for our pets to live long, happy, healthy lives.
Prenatal Care
The time before pregnancy is an important opportunity to ensure the mother is up to the task of becoming pregnant and carrying babies to term. Before pregnancy, mothers-to-be must have the proper nutrition and be of optimal physical condition. Pregnancy and lactation are the most metabolically demanding times of an animal's life. They should be vaccinated appropriately to ensure they have the necessary antibodies to pass onto their offspring. In some cases we may suggest testing for certain diseases that can be transmitted between the proposed breeding pair. The female needs to be parasite free to prevent infecting her offspring. The most common illnesses seen in puppies and kittens are related to intestinal parasites. In most cases, pregnancy and delivery happen without incident. Should complications arise, we are available 24 hours a day to provide assistance. After delivery, we recommend bringing the family in for examination. We can help detect congenital problems, as well as help the mother with post delivery recovery.
Neonatal & Pediatric Care
When the babies arrive, the hard work begins. We must initiate and continue with wellness care for our puppies and kittens in order prevent parasites and common contagious illnesses. After the post delivery exam, we recommend starting vaccinations at 6 weeks for puppies and at 8 weeks for kittens. Since the antibodies puppies and kittens have received from their mothers interfere with their immune response, booster vaccines at regular intervals are necessary for our young pets. The most common cause of illness in young animals are parasites. We will check for intestinal parasites during the first and second visits. It is also important to ensure the mothers do not have parasites as well.
Note, if the puppies are to have their tails docked or dewclaws removed, these procedures need to be accomplished preferably by the third day and no later than five days after birth.
Geriatric Care
As our pets age, they are more likely to face increased health challenges. We classify every dog and cat as a geriatric patient when they turn seven years old. We become more alert to notice changes in their organ function (e.g., cardiac, liver, or kidney disease), endocrine abnormalities (e.g., hypo- or hyperthyroidism), tumors, and dental disease. It is even more important for annual physical examinations and testing at this time of their lives. In addition to the routine physical exam, vaccinations and parasite screening, we recommend including electrocardiograms, and laboratory geriatric screening profiles to help us assess their blood, endocrine, and other organ systems.
