Preventive Care for Dogs
Commit to a lifetime of health.
Preventive care is an essential part of keeping your dog happy and healthy. It will give you peace of mind and increase the odds of detecting underlying health conditions before they become advanced and expensive.
How often should my dog see a veterinarian?
At Animal Hospital North, we make our preventive care recommendations using the guidelines established by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). From there, our veterinarians further customize their suggestions based on hereditary factors including your dog’s age, lifestyle, and medical history.
Typically, we suggest scheduling at least one annual exam during which one of our veterinarians will review your dog’s medical history, assess their behavior, make dietary recommendations, and evaluate any known health conditions they may have.
What should I expect from a preventive dog care exam?
Wellness packages are not restricted to puppies and kittens. Once they have had their initial set of vaccines, continued annual exams and boosters are necessary to keep your pet protected. Not every pet requires the same vaccines. Your unique home environment and your pet’s personal risk assessment allow our doctors to personalize a vaccination protocol specific to your pet. Excessive vaccination or vaccination for unnecessary diseases can be harmful to your pet. Our goal is to maximize your pet’s health and quality of life in an affordable manner.
Our annual exam includes:
- A comprehensive exam to ensure the proper growth and development of your pet
- Vaccines based on a thorough Risk Assessment of your pet’s environment and lifestyle
- Behavioral counseling, advice on nutritional issues, and breed specific health counseling
- Appropriate preventive dental care and weight management advice
- Diagnostic testing for parasites (intestinal and heartworms for dogs)
At your dog’s annual exam, your veterinarian will answer any questions you may have and discuss other services that could improve their overall health such as spay or neutering, microchipping, and dental care.
To schedule your dog’s annual exam, call us at (828) 304-0550 or request a dog exam appointment online.
