What is pet wellness?

At Family Pet Hospital we will treat your pets as though they were our own. This includes doing all that we can to prevent or minimize injury or disease. We seek to help your pets enjoy the best quality of life and to help them live a healthy lifestyle.

Pet wellness includes a thorough physical examination done every six months, routine health screenings, ongoing communication between yourself and the veterinarian, and a risk assessment for the pet’s individual lifestyle.

Why do pets need an exam every six months?

Dr. Marty Becker, a veterinarian and spokesperson for National Pet Wellness Month, discusses in an interview how our pets age at a more rapid rate than we do as humans.

“On average, most dogs and cats reach adulthood by age two... By age four, many pets are entering middle age. And by age seven, most dogs, particularly large breeds, are entering their senior years.”

“Because dogs and cats age seven times faster, on average, than people, significant health changes can occur in a short amount of time. And, the risks of cancer, diabetes, obesity, arthritis, heart disease, metabolic problems and other serious conditions all increase with age.

Many pet owners are not aware that taking a dog or cat to the veterinarian once a year is the same as a person seeing their doctor or dentist once every seven years, says Dr. Becker. He recommends pets have a wellness exam every six months so that veterinarians have the opportunity to detect, treat or, ideally, prevent problems before they become life-threatening.

"Prevention is the real goal of twice-a-year wellness exams," says Dr. Becker. "When veterinarians see a pet on a regular basis, they can help pets avoid some preventable illnesses and diseases. Plus, a pet will never have to suffer from pain that could be treated or prevented by the veterinarian."

Dr. Becker’s full interview can be found at:
http://www.npwm.com/pdf/Q&AwithDr.Becker.pdf

How old is my pet?

You can estimate your pet’s age by clicking on the link below:
http://www.npwm.com/petagecalculator.htm

Pet wellness screenings check for a variety of potential diseases. These screenings are usually accompanied by an individualized risk assessment of your pet's environment - where you live, emerging disease risks in your community, your pet's interaction with other pets and wildlife, travel plans, and other lifestyle considerations.
Pet wellness exams help your veterinarian determine a proper prevention program, including a vaccination schedule tailored specifically for your pet. By using personalized pet health protocols, veterinarians can pinpoint specific preventive health care needs for your pet.

Here is a list of some of the most important health screenings for cats and dogs. Dr. Madsen may recommend additional tests depending on your pet's health history and other factors.

Adult dogs (1-6 years) Additional exams for senior dogs (7+ years)

Vaccinations Osteoarthritis check
Parasite screen (fecal sample) Chest radiograph
Heartworm test Thyroid check
Dental health
Blood panel (CBC)
Chemistry panel
Urinalysis

Adult cats (1-6 years) Additional exams for senior cats (7+ years)

Vaccinations Osteoarthritis check
Parasite screen (fecal sample) Renal (kidney) disease screen
Heartworm test Thyroid check
Dental health Blood pressure check
Blood panel (CBC)
Chemistry panel
Urinalysis

Remember that your pet is worth it! They deserve the best care. Please call the Family Pet Hospital to set up your pet’s six month wellness exam.