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WELLNESS & PREVENTATIVE CARE:

Do you hear me well_ A middle-aged vet checking dog's ears while his young female assistan

Preventative Care of Your Pets:

At Woodsdale, we know you want your pet to enjoy the longest healthiest life possible!  For that reason, we are strongly focused on wellness and preventative medicine. So many diseases and problems can be avoided or minimized with vaccination, screening, preventative measure, and early detection and treatment.

The foundation for healthy cats and dogs involves regular comprehensive veterinary exams including diet evaluation and dental evaluation, appropriate vaccination, wellness bloodwork screening, appropriately timed spay and neuter procedures, parasite screening, parasite prevention, and dental care when needed.  From your pet’s infancy to his or her senior years, we’ll assess the proper preventive care based on your pet’s lifestyle and individual circumstances and tailor their preventative and medical care to their needs.

Call our hospital today to find out how to start your pet down the road to the best health possible!

What should I except from my exam?

 

What to Expect at Your Pet’s Annual Exam:

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  • A thorough physical exam from head to tail (eyes, ears, mouth, teeth, skin, heart, lungs, abdomen, weight, joints, feet, muscles, lumps/bumps, etc.)

  • Intestinal parasite, blood parasites/diseases and heartworm screens and complete parasite prevention recommendations

  • Vaccine updates appropriate for your pet’s needs

  • Diet evaluate and recommendation

  • Other tests that may be indicated (blood work, xray, skin or ear cytology, urinalysis, etc.)

  • A detailed plan for any further diagnostics or procedures your pet needs

  • How is Dental Care at Woodsdale Animal Hospital different?
    We strive to provide a relaxed experience for you and your pet. Pets love to curl up on our cushy chairs! Our modern veterinary dental surgery suite appears similar to a dental office that you and your family would visit. We use much of the same equipment including high-speed dental units, digital dental radiography units, and leading edge anesthesia monitoring and delivery equipment.
  • What is the difference between Peridonatal Disease and gingivitis?
    Periodontal (gum) disease is a progressive disease of the supporting tissues surrounding teeth and the main cause of early tooth loss. Periodonal disease starts when bacteria combines with food particles to form plaque on the teeth. Within days, minerals in the saliva bond with the plaque to form tartar, a hard substance that adheres to the teeth. The bacteria then work their way under the gums and cause gingivitis — inflammation of the gums. Once under the gums, the bacteria destroy the supporting tissue around the tooth, leading to tooth loss. This condition is known as periodontitis. Gingivitis and periodontitis make up the changes that are referred to as periodontal disease. The bacteria associated with periodontal disease can also travel in the bloodstream to infect the heart, kidneys, and liver.
  • What is the risk of my pet developing paridontal disease?
    By some estimates, 85 percent of all pets have some level of periodontal disease by the time they are 3 years of age.
  • What's involved with a dental cleaning for my cat or dog?
    A dental cleaning may include the following: • Removal of visible plaque and tartar from the teeth • Elimination of plaque and tartar from under the gum • Probing of dental sockets to assess dental disease • Polishing to smooth enamel scratches that may attract bacteria • Dental radiographs (X-rays) to evaluate problems below the gumline • Application of fluoride or a dental sealer • Removal or repair of fractured or infected teeth • Dental charting so progression of dental disease can be monitored over time • Inspection of the lips, tongue, and entire mouth for growths, wounds, or other problems
  • What can I do at home to keep my dog or cat's mouth clean?
    Once a dental cleaning has been performed, you can take a number of steps at home to keep your pet’s teeth clean. Your veterinarian may recommend a plaque prevention product — a substance that you apply to your pet’s teeth and gums on a weekly basis. The product adheres to the teeth surface to create a barrier that prevents plaque from forming. Just as in people, daily brushing can help remove food particles from between your pet’s teeth. You can use a child’s toothbrush or purchase a finger brush from your veterinarian. Certain diets and treats can also help keep plaque and tartar to a minimum. The diets tend to have larger kibbles to provide abrasive action against the tooth surface when chewed. Or they may contain ingredients that help prevent tartar mineralization.
  • What are the risks with anasthesia?
    Although anesthesia will always have risks, it’s safer now than ever and continues to improve so that the risks are very low and are far outweighed by the benefits. Most pets can go home on the day of the procedure, although they might seem a little groggy for the rest of the day.
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