Midlothian Pet Wellness Services
Wellness Care for Every Age and Stage
Regular wellness examinations are a chance for us to assess your pet's overall health, discuss any changes we see and educate you on advancements in veterinary care. It is also an opportunity for you to discuss any of your concerns or ask questions. If a health problem or issue can be detected in its early stages, there is a far greater likelihood it can be resolved and treated with less difficulty, less expense and greater success.
Your Pet's Wellness Examination
When you bring your pet to Swift Creek Animal Hospital, our Midlothian veterinarians work with you to create a personalized lifetime preventive health care plan that takes into consideration your pet's age, breed, risk factors and lifestyle.
Your pet's yearly wellness examination includes our commitment to:
- Examine your pet's teeth, throat and oral cavity
- Check your pet's vision and examine the eyes
- Examine the ears for infection, ear mites, allergic reaction and other related health issues
- Examine the respiratory system
- Assess your pet's heart and evaluate cardiac function
- Test your pet's reflexes
- Palpate lymph nodes and abdomen
- Inspect the skin
- Palpate joints and muscles for arthritis and other orthopedic conditions
- Evaluate the function of internal organs and other systems
- Assess changes in your pet's body weight, appetite, urination and bowel habits
- Inquire as to your pet's activity level
- Palpate the skin for unusual growth developments
- Monitor your pet's blood count
- Utilize laboratory testing to detect early signs of Lyme or Heartworm disease
- Assess and evaluate general or specific changes in your pet's health since the last wellness visit
- Discuss preventive techniques with you, the pet owner
- Collect and examine fecal samples for signs of parasitic infestation
- Evaluate your pet for repetitive licking or biting in one area
- Assess your pet's hair/fur and check for matting
- Demonstrate to you, the pet owner, how to administer at-home medication
- Engage you, the pet owner, in conversation and answer your questions and concerns
Deworming and Fecal Check
Dangerous parasites are always present in the environment. We recommend regular fecal checks and deworming as the best way to prevent parasitic disease and the transmission of intestinal parasites to your pet and your family members.
Regular Blood Testing
A complete physical should include a full blood work-up. Not only can a chemistry panel and blood count identify the presence of underlying disease processes, but these tests help create a baseline should your pet become ill between regular examinations.
Good Communication Leads to Good Health
During each examination, we take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and keep you up-to-date on all the information you need to be the best caregiver to your pet. Good communication between you and your pet's doctor ensures that your beloved companion is receiving the optimal care and attention needed for a long and healthy life.
Customized Vaccinations
Vaccinations are the number one way you can protect your beloved pet from serious infectious diseases that were once responsible for the death of many dogs and cats. They prepare your pet for exposure to certain viruses and bacteria so when exposed, the immune system can destroy the invaders before your pet's body becomes overwhelmed.
To that end, up-to-date vaccinations play a large part in keeping your pet healthy and free from disease. However, not every pet requires the same series or frequency of vaccines. Our veterinarians tailor a vaccine protocol to your pet based on his or her lifestyle and risk factors and based on recommendations from the American Animal Hospital Association.
Our goal is to provide your pet with a balanced vaccination schedule that guarantees needed protection while not over-vaccinating.
Recommended pet vaccines:
Puppies & Kittens
Core puppy vaccines: DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvovirus), Rabies
Core kitten vaccines: FVRCP (Panleukopenia Virus, Feline Calicivirus and Rhinotracheitis, also known as Herpes Virus), Rabies
Non-core puppy vaccines: Bordetella, Leptospirosis
Non-core kitten vaccines: FeLV (Feline Leukemia)
Adult Dogs & Cats
Core dog vaccines: DHPP, Rabies
Core cat vaccines: FVRCP, Rabies
Non-core dog vaccines: Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Lyme disease (based on exposure risk)
Non-core cat vaccines: FeLV
For more information on a specific vaccination protocol for your pet, please call us today at (804) 744-7222 for an appointment.
Heartworm Disease in Virginia
Heartworm disease is a serious, life-threatening disease transmitted by mosquitoes. It affects dogs and, to a lesser extent, cats. In the U.S., Heartworm disease is most common along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from the Gulf of Mexico to New Jersey and along the Mississippi River and its major tributaries, but it has been reported in dogs in all 50 states.
Clinical symptoms of Heartworm disease develop very slowly. Early symptoms include lack of energy, exercise intolerance, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Because Heartworm disease is increasing in frequency and is a serious and deadly disease, we recommend that your dog be tested annually.
Heartworm disease prevention is simple and effective. For dogs, a once-a-month heartworm preventive can be given as a chewable treat. This same chewable medicine prevents not only heartworms from developing, but also kills and prevents most other types of worms that can infect your dog. Cats are protected by applying a drop of heartworm prevention liquid to the skin once a month. We recommend this to prevent Heartworm disease as well as fleas, ear mites, and other types of worms that can infect your cat.
If you would like to have your pet tested for Heartworm disease, or if you would like additional information on how best to protect your pet from this dangerous parasite, please call Swift Creek Animal Hospital today for an appointment.
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Flea and Tick Prevention
Fleas and ticks are more than a nuisance; they carry diseases dangerous to both you and your pet.
Prevalent tick-borne diseases in Virginia include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Ehrlichiosis. They are a significant threat to your dog, especially during the warmer months of the year. Fleas are most abundant during the warm weather; however, if left untreated, they can be a problem year-round. In fact, flea infestation is one of the most common medical problems veterinarians see, and pets with fleas can suffer greatly.
The best course of action to protect both your pet and yourself from fleas, ticks, and the potential of tick-borne disease is prevention. There are many safe and effective flea and tick control products available at our hospital and our veterinary team will help you choose the correct preventive regimen based on your pet's risk factors and health status. We also offer a Lyme disease vaccination and we recommend discussing whether it is right for your pet with one of our veterinarians.
Check out our promotions to save on flea and tick medications »