Wellness & Preventive Care

We truly believe preventive medicine is the way to keep your pet healthy and happy. We customize preventive care to balance philosophy, science, personality and advanced care, so your family’s needs are met.

Book an Appointment 301-482-2535

A veterinary technician in green scrubs holding a small white dog on an exam table.

Annual or twice-yearly wellness exams

We recommend a comprehensive wellness exam every year to keep your cat or dog in optimal health. Older pets and those with health conditions need an exam twice a year, so we can monitor them more closely for any changes.

Each exam starts with a conversation about any issues your pet might be having and any concerns you have. While we talk, we’re already evaluating your pet: watching them come into the hospital and settle into the exam room. There’s a lot we can observe before we’ve touched them at all.

What we talk about

Diet and nutrition management
Supplements
Exercise patterns
Behavioral concerns
Heartworm, flea and tick preventatives
Lifestyle risks that shape the vaccination plan

What we check

Weight and body condition
Skin and coat
Teeth
Muscles and joints
Heart and lungs
Abdomen
Eyes and ears

Weight: We give a body condition score for how thin or overweight your pet is, so we can track their progress over the years.
Skin & coat: Allergies, lumps and bumps, infections, and dry or thin coats.
Teeth: Most pets need at least a couple of dental cleanings in their life, some more. We keep you on track with when that’s needed.
Muscles & joints: Muscle gain or loss is a great indicator of overall health, and we watch for early signs of arthritis and pain as pets age.
Heart & lungs: Our chance to listen closely for any changes.
Abdomen: We feel around the belly to check many of the organs inside.
Eyes & ears: Infections, aging changes or other signs of problems.

Vaccinations

We keep your pet up to date on the vaccinations that fit their needs. Not every pet needs every vaccine that exists. For pets who need several, we often split them up to reduce the risk of vaccine reactions, and we discuss any concerns and adjust the plan each year.

Vaccinations we offer

Annual labwork and testing

The exact testing depends on whether your pet is a dog or a cat, and on their age and lifestyle. Every pet should have a fecal check for parasites each year, even indoor cats. Beyond that, we customize testing to your pet’s current health and lifestyle, and find options that fit your budget.

Every pet: A fecal exam for parasites
Dogs: A 4Dx test for heartworm and for Lyme, Anaplasma and Ehrlichia, tick-borne diseases we see in this area
Cats who go outside: Annual FeLV/FIV/HW testing, the Feline Triple Test, to make sure they haven’t been exposed to Feline Leukemia, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus or heartworm
Pets over 6: Regular bloodwork. The panel depends on what we’re concerned about, what medications they take, and your budget.

Heartworm, flea and tick preventatives

There are now many options for keeping pets free of parasites. We discuss any concerns you have and find a product that meets your pet’s needs and your family’s. We keep our most popular items in the hospital and have access to every option through our Online Store, so you get guaranteed products from the manufacturer and aren’t limited to what we happen to stock.

A brown-and-white Australian shepherd grinning on a windy beach.

Nutrition and supplements

There are many different diets available to suit your pet’s needs and tastes and your philosophy, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Our goal is a healthy weight and a happy gastrointestinal tract. We don’t make uniform brand recommendations, but we can guide you to reputable brands for the type of food you’re looking for, and help you know what to look for. Sometimes a prescription diet is needed to treat or prevent medical problems, and we’ll guide you through that over the years.

We regularly recommend supplements to prevent and manage many conditions, including probiotics and joint, skin and coat, cognitive function and pain supplements. Supplements aren’t regulated, and the market is ripe with fraud, so our Online Store lets us recommend safe, guaranteed products from reputable manufacturers.

Nutritional counseling

Behavior management

Most pets have a few unwanted behaviors. Some are minor and won’t get in the way of your relationship, but others are concerning, and smaller issues can grow harder to manage over time. Many behavior problems have a basis in underlying physical issues, or can make physical issues worse. If something seems odd or frustrating, or isn’t going well at home, we want to hear about it.

We start with a good history and physical exam, possibly some other diagnostics to define any health problems, and then work out a plan and follow up with you. These appointments take extra time, but they’re very important to everyone’s health and well-being.

FAQ

Questions about wellness and preventive care

Still have a question? Call us at 301-482-2535.

How often should my pet have a wellness exam?

We recommend a comprehensive wellness exam every year. Older pets and pets with health conditions should come in twice a year, so we can watch more closely for any changes.

What happens during a wellness exam?

We start by talking about any issues or concerns, and we’re already observing your pet as they settle into the exam room. Then we check their weight and body condition, skin and coat, teeth, muscles and joints, heart and lungs, abdomen, and eyes and ears.

What lab tests does my pet need each year?

Every pet, even an indoor cat, should have a fecal check for parasites each year. Dogs should also have a 4Dx test for heartworm and for Lyme, Anaplasma and Ehrlichia, tick-borne diseases we see in this area. Cats who go outside need the Feline Triple Test for Feline Leukemia, FIV and heartworm, and pets over 6 need regular bloodwork.

Will my pet get all of their vaccines at once?

Not always. For pets who need several vaccines, we often split them up to reduce the risk of vaccine reactions. We also talk through any concerns and adjust the plan each year. See the vaccinations we offer.

Can you recommend a brand of food?

There’s no one-size-fits-all diet, so we don’t recommend one brand for every pet. We can guide you to reputable brands for the type of food you’re looking for, and to a prescription diet if your pet needs one to treat or prevent a medical problem. Learn more about nutritional counseling.

Should I bring up behavior problems at a wellness visit?

Yes, we want to hear about them. Many behavior problems have a physical basis, or can make physical issues worse. We start with a good history and physical exam, possibly other diagnostics, then work out a plan and follow up with you. These appointments take extra time.