Comprehensive Pet Wellness Care

For Pets of All Ages

Pet wellness care is necessary for puppies and kittens, but it is also very important for adult and senior pets. Comprehensive health checks are the only way we can effectively prevent issues and keep animals as healthy as possible throughout their life.

Treating and Preventing Parasites

Parasites are an important topic that will need to be addressed during your pet's wellness visit. This is especially relevant for new puppies and kittens, which are often born with internal parasites already in their systems. Fortunately, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and other intestinal parasites can be treated with proper medication. The key is catching and eliminating them early for your pet's benefit.
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Fleas, ticks and heartworm are ever present, and prevention remains the key to staying healthy. Ticks are capable of spreading Lyme disease and other illnesses with just one bite, and fleas can cause flea allergy dermatitis, an itchy, irritating condition that can lead to infection. Heartworm disease, which is spread by mosquitoes, is now a concern in Santa Monica and in the Los Angeles. We now recommend heartworm testing and the use of preventatives.

What We Look for In an Annual Wellness Exam

An annual wellness exam is a standard, thorough physical of a healthy animal in which one of our doctors will examine your pet from nose to tail. This involves checking their heart rate, lungs, temperature, weight, and the following areas:

• Ears, eyes and teeth/gums

• Nose, skin/coat, paws, nails

• Tail, reproductive organs and anal region
  
  

While examining your pet, your doctor will be looking for lumps, bumps, lesions, and other abnormal signs. They will also ask you about your pet's behavior, daily habits, and diet to better understand their lifestyle.
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The annual wellness exam is also the ideal time to perform other diagnostic tests, including a fecal test to screen for parasites, and a basic complete blood panel to screen for underlying disease and very importantly to establish baseline values for what normal means for your pet. Pets that are older or living with chronic health problems may need to have their additional blood and urine labwork done to test organ function and disease effects. A wellness exam is not the same as a sick pet exam.