To accomplish this goal, we recommend the following:

2. Diet Consultation
As part of your pet's yearly examination, we can help you determine if any diet changes could improve your pet's quality of life. Weight gain, weight loss, poor coat quality, allergies, and gastrointestinal problems can all result from a suboptimal diet. There are even dietary options to combat diseases such as arthritis, liver, urinary and kidney ailments. With a multitude of diet options available, we can help you find the best fit for your pet at any age.

3. Wellness/Senior Health Screens
During certain stages of your pet's life we'll recommend additional tests to help us screen against potential, hidden problems. These tests include radiographs, complete blood counts, blood chemistry profiles, electocardiograms,fecal checks, and urine analyses. Early detection of irregularities gives us the greatest chance to keep your pet in the best condition possible. Performed regularly, these screens not only tell us if something is currently wrong, but also point out potentially dangerous health trends that can be corrected in time. Screens such as these are the cutting edge of health care. We strongly encourage concerned pet owners to take advantage of their many benefits. Testing your pet yearly is comparable to having tests done only every 6-8 years on yourself! Don't they deserve it?

4. Vaccinations
We'll remind you when your pet is due for any important vaccinations. These timely immunizations protect your pet from deadly viral diseases. During your pet's exam/consultation we can determine how often your pet requires vaccinations and if your pet requires any special vaccinations (due to travel, shows, boarding, etc.) to protect it from out of the ordinary diseases.

5. Dental Health Care
Proper dental health care is an essential component to an overall health plan. Dental health care can not only promote teeth and oral health, but also protect kidney and heart function by reducing chronic high bacterial levels. A dental health plan includes proper diet, periodic teeth cleaning and dental health care products. These products range from cleaning gels, toothpaste and brushing, to easy to use dental health chews. If needed, a cleaning procedure will be advised that is performed under anesthesia to ultrasonically clean all dental surfaces, polish them and finally apply a fluoride treatment to slow down tarter build-up.

6. Heartworm
Heartworm is a parasite spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes. If your pet is bitten, the microscopic parasite progresses through a series of "molts" or growth stages over a 5-6 month period to reach their final resting spot in the heart and lungs. Over time these parasites continue to grow and develop resulting in life threatening heart and lung damage. But heartworm disease need NEVER occur!

Heartworm can be easily prevented by giving your pet a monthly oral medication. Due to our cold winter months, you really only need to medicate your pet from May through December, however many people treat year round for added protection and peace of mind.

Due to the seriousness of heartworm infection, we recommend that your pet be tested yearly to make sure they are heartworm free. Even pets on medication should be tested since no medication is 100% and there is always the possibility that your pet could have spit out the medication one month without your knowledge. Heartworm infection is safely treatable if caught early, don't take the risk of not testing your pet. If your pet would become infected, new treatment medications are effective and display few side effects, especially with recent infections. Still, the best offense is a good defense. Annual testing guarantees the best possible protection.

7. Flea and Parasite Control
This is a good era for pets everywhere, yours included. With the preventative and treatment regimens now available, your pet need never suffer from flea and parasite problems. Oral medication, including a monthly heartworm treatment, serves as an excellent, easy flea preventative. For pets in high flea areas or that have a flea sensitivity, an easily applied topical treatment is the perfect answer. As an added benefit, used monthly, the topical treatment also protects your pet from dangerous ticks. Make sure you start the treatment early, before fleas start-up, and continue through the fall for the best protection.

8. Diagnosis, Treatment, and Surgery
Hopefully, your pet will never need it, but if health problems arise, rest assured that we'll be able to offer your pet the best in diagnostic testing, therapeutics, and surgical needs. From special radiographic procedures, to ultrasound and endoscopy we'll do what's needed to get your friend back on his feet as quickly, safely, and painlessly as possible.