The Benefits of Annual Spring Checkups For Agoura Hills Pets
From advanced diagnostics to life-saving emergency medicine, we are always here for Agoura Hills pets. While some illnesses or injuries are sudden, there are many conditions that can largely be prevented through routine care. Not only a chance to prevent the development of disease, these exams allow us to establish and track a pet’s baseline that steers our unique approach to lifelong care.
Even if it hasn’t been a full year since your pet’s last wellness check, spring is a great time to get a handle on their overall health. The warmer weather and packed schedule means that risks to pet health and safety spike, but not on our watch!
Spring Into Action
Between garden planning, little league, and formal dances, there may not feel like there’s a lot of room to devote to spring pet safety. Luckily, our routine wellness exams provide a quick, clear way forward. Pet owners learn how to support pet health through challenging weather, increases in parasites, nutritional needs, allergies, and any behavioral issues related to the season. Before you know it, you and your pet will be back outside in the spring sunshine.
Proactive Pet Care
A thorough nose-to-tail exam helps us understand a pet’s overall health. Any abnormalities, or changes to baseline values will be discussed, and an owner’s questions or concerns always guide our approach. Annual lab work and fecal exam help to clarify what’s happening inside the body.
Disease prevention is a primary focus. The spring promotes mating behaviors in pets and wild animals, leading to potentially dangerous interactions. Vaccinations are critical to safeguarding a pet’s health, and booster shots should be administered when needed (typically every 1-3 years). Microchips and new ID tags can reduce the risk of permanent loss or separation.
No More Bugs
Even though a year-round approach to parasite prevention medication is recommended, the colder weather and fewer outdoor activities lead to lapses in medication. Before a pet can go back on a preventive medicine for heartworm disease, we must receive a negative heartworm test.
Parasites like fleas, ticks, and heartworm-carrying mosquitos increase in spring and summer, but can be thwarted with effective medication. We can help you determine which method (oral, injection, or topical) works best for your pet’s lifestyle, age, and medical history.
Spring Allergies
Pets can experience a range of symptoms caused by spring allergies, such as grass, pollen, mold, dust, smoke, and perfumes/dyes. Pets can also react to flea saliva and suffer acute symptoms of atopic dermatitis and possible secondary skin infections. A routine exam involves a close look at the skin, coat, eyes, ears, and nose, and can lead us to investigate a possible allergy.
Preparing for Summer and Beyond
A spring visit allows us to examine and support a pet’s overall well-being, during a very specific time of the year. Spring is full of opportunities, and we look forward to helping pet owners proactively address their pet’s needs. Please reach out to us at (805) 957-7387 with any questions, or to schedule your pet’s next appointment.