Oceanside Animal Clinic Adult Dog Wellness Recommendations

Examinations

Even healthy dogs should be examined by a veterinarian at least once a year, preferably twice a year. If your dog is older or has medical problems, more frequent visits may be necessary. Physical exams can detect heart murmurs or skipped heart beats; enlarged lymph nodes; skin tumors; abdominal tumors; and enlarged or shrunken kidneys, liver, or spleen that may mean systemic disease. A look at the eyes can determine a dog’s visual capacity. An orthopedic evaluation can tell if a dog is arthritic and in need of pain medication. A dermatologic evaluation of the hair coat will determine the need for flea and tick control or diagnose skin infections (bacterial, fungal, or parasitic). Hair loss may indicate systemic disease or hormonal imbalances.

Additionally, it is important to maintain a valid Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) in order for us to legally prescribe medications for your pet. This means coming in at least annually for your pet to have an exam with one of our veterinarians. We can then authorize any of your pet’s prescription needs (i.e., medications, prescription diets, and prescription parasiticides).

Diagnostic Testing

Since dogs cannot talk, veterinarians cannot ask them how they are feeling or what is bothering them. Plus, innate survival instincts make dogs hide illnesses so they do not appear weak or vulnerable to predators. That means thorough physical exams are crucial to keep dogs healthy. And since your veterinarian cannot see what is going on inside a dog’s body, diagnostic testing is often needed to complete the health picture. These preventive medicine steps will diagnose problems earlier making treatment more successful and less costly and, more importantly, will help your dog live a longer, healthier life.

To diagnose organ malfunctions in the early stages, blood tests (complete blood count, chemistry panel, and thyroid screen) and urinalysis should be performed annually. If problems are diagnosed, more frequent testing may be necessary
Although heartworms are more prevalent in warmer climates where mosquitoes thrive, infected dogs live in every state and in some parts of Canada. Even dogs in cold environments can get heartworms, so The American Heartworm Society advises annual heartworm blood testing. Intestinal parasites can affect both dogs and humans, so a stool sample should be analyzed at least once a year.

Dental Care

It is a well-known fact that oral health impacts a dog’s general health. Simply put, dogs with clean mouths live longer. The bacteria involved in periodontal disease do not just stay in the mouth. These organisms invade the blood stream and travel to major organs like the kidneys, liver, and heart where they cause significant health issues. Dogs may need their teeth cleaned every 1-2 years, but this frequency can vary more or less depending on a number of factors including preventive care. Regular dental cleanings will also allow your dog to keep their pearly whites in good condition.

Flea Prevention

Year-round flea prevention is recommended in this area, and there are several products we recommend based upon your preference and your pets’ needs. Topical Advantage II or Advantage Multi, or oral Nexgard or Simparica Trio may be given monthly depending on your preference. Please be sure to bring up any questions you may have regarding these products during your pet’s annual exam.

Heartworm Prevention

Heartworms are important parasites that can live in the dog’s bloodstream and cause major damage to the heart and lungs that often results in death. Heartworms are transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes. While historically heartworm disease has not been a significant concern in this area, with increased travel and climate changes, we are starting to see an increase in heartworm prevalence. We therefore recommend year-round heartworm prevention and testing, especially if you will be traveling out of area with your pet.

If your pet has never been tested for heartworm, we recommend confirming negative status with an initial heartworm test, which may then be repeated annually if your pet is at risk for contracting heartworm. Heartworm is much easier to prevent than to treat, so we recommend preventatives such as Simparica Trio (monthly chewable tablet), Advantage Multi (monthly topical product), or Proheart (6-month injections) be used year-round.