Wellness Examinations

You want your pet to live a long, happy life. The veterinary team at the Animal Clinic in La Plata works toward this goal through
a commitment to preventative medicine.

As medical professionals we recognize preventive medicine is the best way to keep your pet healthy and limit the lifetime cost of care. We'll partner with you to develop the best health care plan for your beloved pet.

The basis of such a plan begins with regular wellness examinations, which include thorough screenings for common diseases and ailments that could affect your pet's health. As your pet enters their senior years, annual or more frequent exams are recommended depending on your pet's age.

Preventive Medicine is the Best Medicine  

No one likes to see their pet sick. The best way to ensure your pet is well and lives a long, happy life is to promote a healthy lifestyle and be proactive in preventive care.  The Animal Clinic of La Plata believes prevention is a positive contribution to your pet's long term health and also minimizes the lifetime cost of veterinary care. We strongly encourage that your pet receive routine wellness examinations, vaccinations, regular laboratory work, deworming and fecal checks, as well as medications to prevent heartworm, fleas, and ticks in order to keep your pet in optimum health.

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 evaluation should include a blood test. 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.

Vaccinations

The veterinarians and staff at the Animal Clinic of La Plata are strong advocates of preventative care. To offer your pet optimal care and a long, healthy life, we believe it is important to identify problems before they develop.

Vaccines are an excellent way to protect your pet. While some vaccines prevent common infectious diseases, others protect against dangers present in a pet's lifestyle. We follow the vaccination protocols put forth by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), thus ensuring your pet receives the best possible veterinary care.

Illnesses such as Lyme disease, Leptospirosis, Distemper, Bordetella, Parvo virus, and Rabies can debilitate your dog and shorten his life. We also encourage you to vaccinate your cat against Feline Leukemia, Distemper and Rabies.  Bringing your pet to us for regular wellness visits is part of your pet's overall wellness care program. Vaccines, parasite prevention, dental care are all important aspects of your pet's overall health plan. Our goal is to provide your companion pet with the maximum protection available.

Puppy and Kitten Care

Whether adopting a pet for the first time or introducing one into your multiple pet home, a puppy or kitten quickly melts your heart. However, there are hassles and concerns, too, and knowing how to properly care for your new pet will help alleviate any stress you experience. Our team is always ready to support you with exceptional pet care and guidance, and we share your joy at welcoming a furry new family member into your life. We feature puppy and kitten programs designed to cover all the fundamental health care needs of your new pet during his or her early life stages. This is a special time for you and your pet and we want your memories to be cherished and worry-free.

Senior Pet Care

Congratulations! By taking the time to learn more about the special needs of your senior aged pet, you have taken the first step toward providing the best care for your friend in his or her golden years. The Animal Clinic of La Plata places an emphasis on senior care, and we're proud of the special interest we take in geriatric medicine and care of chronic disease.

As with humans, pets in their senior years — those of about seven years of age and older — begin to go through a gradual reduction of their physical capabilities. However, this process can be slowed and managed through proper veterinary care, thereby offering your beloved pet an extended period of vitality and good health. Additionally, preventative care tailored to your pet's age, lifestyle, risk factors and other elements can help prevent common diseases or detect them at early and more easily treatable stages.

There is also an important role for you to play as your pet's primary caregiver. While you cannot control age-related decline, you can influence your pet's activity level, living conditions, access to quality senior veterinary care, and daily nutrition. However, the best time to begin your pet's senior care program and recognize the need for a little extra TLC is well before age-related conditions begin to set in. Our veterinarians recommend regular senior wellness exams, which should include lab tests to detect the early signs of disease processes. Dental care at this point in life becomes even more important as well. We recommend routine dental exams and cleanings for all pets, but especially for those in their senior years. Diet and weight gain are also important issues to keep in mind. When you bring your pet in for a senior wellness visit, your veterinarian will evaluate his or her weight and offer recommendations based on what we find.