Dr. Cat checks your pet nose to tail: eyes, ears, mouth, heart, lungs, joints, skin, weight. Anything she finds, she explains and will gladly provide estimates for any treatments that are required.
We also recommend yearly bloodwork for all pets over three, at a discounted rate when it is done at the same time as vaccines. Bloodwork reads the body systems you cannot see from the outside: liver, kidneys, thyroid, blood cells. This information is critical in identifying health issues early. Senior pets may need it more often depending on their health.
Pets age faster than we do, and they hide illness well, especially cats. Twice-yearly exams for pets over eight let us track progression of medical issues, catch arthritis before it stops your dog walking, and adjust for the conditions that come with age. The goal is simple: more good years, and fewer emergencies.
Diet is not one-size-fits-all. We advise on feeding for every life stage, on prescription diets for pets with medical conditions, on hypoallergenic food for allergy patients, and on healthy weight loss for pets that are too chunky. If your pet’s weight or diet is a worry, bring it up at the exam and we will build a plan around your pet.
We DO NOT recommend raw diets for any pet. These diets can lead to infections with bacterial pathogens like Salmonella, nutritional imbalances and potential intestinal punctures or blockages from bone pieces. Please call us for recommendations for healthy cooked fresh food or dry food options for your pet.
A wellness exam at American Heritage Animal Hospital is a full head-to-tail physical by Dr. Cat. For healthy adult pets that means once a year. For senior pets over eight, we recommend twice a year, because a lot can change in twelve months when a dog or cat is aging, and catching it early is cheaper and kinder than catching it late.
