HEALTHY PETS-PHYSICAL EXAMS, NUTRITION, BEHAVIOR SERVICES, AND MICROCHIPS
"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods and have never forgotten it."- Anonymous
"I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior." -Hippolyte Taine
For healthy pets, an annual visit is recommended so that a complete physical examination can be performed to ensure the maintenance of good health and to detect any signs of illness early on. These wellness visits also offer the opportunity to discuss with your veterinarian any concerns about nutrition, behavior, and to learn about disease predispositions. It is also a good time to permanently identify your pet by microchipping. This is a simple procedure that can help prevent a lot of heartache when an animal is lost.
Physical Examinations
Beginning with your first young-animal appointment, our veterinarians will always do a complete physical examination. This is the routine first step to uncovering any underlying medical problems. There is nothing that can replace good clinical skills and our veterinarians’ expansive experience helps pinpoint problems early and helps keep costs in check without doing unnecessary tests. Examinations include an evaluation of a complete pet history, weight, rectal temperature, examination of all visible, palpable, auscultable, organ systems from examining the external skin for lumps and bumps, listening to the heart for any abnormal rhythms or murmurs, palpating the belly for any abnormalities such as enlarged or smaller than normal organs, intestinal foreign bodies, examining the mouth, eyes, ears, etc. The veterinarians will also utilize this time at wellness examinations to discuss breed-related illnesses so that you can address them proactively.
Nutrition
Since we all know that “we are what we eat”, nutrition is another very important area to discuss at wellness visits. The veterinarians will discuss with you proper nutrition which will include any specific prescription diets geared for various disease states to the amount and type of food which should be given based on the type of animal, the animal’s weight, life-stage, lifestyle, and health condition. Nutrition is especially important in delivering the proper nutritional support to many of our exotic pets since they each have very specific needs, like the requirement for vitamin A in birds and vitamin C in guinea pigs.
Behavioral Services
The wellness examination is also a good time to discuss animal behavioral issues from early house-training, crate-training, teething issues, and obedience to separation anxiety, fear-based aggression, and litterbox problems. We also recommend the services of outside, local training experts and online resources when necessary. You may contact us if you are interested in any further information about local trainers, obedience classes, etc.
Microchips
A microchip is permanent pet identification. The microchip itself has no internal energy source, so it will last the life of your pet. It is read by passing a microchip scanner over the pet's shoulder blades. The scanner emits a low radio frequency that provides the power necessary to transmit the microchip's unique cat or dog ID code and positively identify the pet.
Dog and cat microchipping is a simple procedure. A veterinarian simply injects a microchip, about the size of a grain of rice (12mm), beneath the surface of your pet's skin between the shoulder blades. The process is similar to a routine shot, takes only a few seconds, and your pet will not react any more than he/she would to a vaccination. No anesthetic is required.
To learn more, go to HomeAgain at www.public.homeagain.com