Preventative Care

“Healthy” Pets Need Healthcare Too.

At Como Park Animal Hospital, we focus on proactive preventative healthcare, because we believe it improves the quality of life for each pet and their family and can add years to your time together. Early detection and prevention of diseases and managing age related changes can help your pet live a longer, happier, healthier life.

We emphasize a life long preventative care approach to our patients’ healthcare. No matter what life stage your pet is in, proactive routine pet care can add time and quality to their life and yours, and reduce the risk and costs of preventable disease. Preventative Care is so much more than “taking the dog in for his shots.” It’s all of the following and more:

Health Exams – twice a year for dogs and cats, at least once a year for all species
Vaccinations
Diagnostic Wellness Screening – blood and urine testing, fecal parasite testing, heartworm testing, and more
Medical Grooming – nail trimming, ear cleaning, hair removal, baths, beak manicures, wing trimming, and anal gland expression
Parasite Prevention
Sterilization Surgery
Regular Dental Cleanings and Care
Diet and Nutrition Counseling
Behavior Counseling
Early Life Counseling – getting your young pet the best start in life
Aging and End of Life Counseling

Understanding Your Pet’s Routine Physical Exam

We advise that dogs and cats, regardless of age or need for vaccinations, have a routine physical exam with a veterinarian every 6 months. We advise at least once a year preventative exams for all other pets. Puppies, kittens, geriatric pets and pets undergoing treatment for a known condition may require more frequent checkups.

This is also a great time to talk to your vet about behavior, nutrition, training, lifestyle change and issues related to normal aging in your pet. Even if your pet seems healthy, know that many conditions and diseases show subtle or no outward signs and symptoms in their early stages. Preventative exams and diagnostic testing are vital to early detection of disease. And early stage detection can lead to prevention, cure and slowing of many diseases, leading to a longer and healthier life for your pet.

“I have been using Como Park Animal Hospital for about two years now, it is the only place I trust with my animals. The service at this office is outstanding, I have never had anything even close to a bad experience with their staff. I have used a couple of different Vets at this hospital and all have been excellent. I have and will continue to recommend this place to others.”

Justin M.

Minneapolis, MN

Preventative Care Discussions and Recommendations

The preventative wellness exam isn’t just a series of tests — it’s also an opportunity to talk with your veterinarian about any recent changes in your pet’s eating habits, behavior, activity level or sensory responses. We can advise you on home care best practices while also recommending any treatments your pet may need based on the exam findings.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations (also known as immunizations, inoculations, or “shots”) are crucial to prevention of communicable, preventable, and often fatal or debilitating diseases like rabies, distemper, parvovirus, lyme disease, communicable hepatitis, herpes and respiratory viruses. Many are given every 1-3 years, are minimal cost and provide excellent prevention for against these devastating diseases. We believe that lifelong vaccination against core and lifestyle dependent exposures is important for all dogs, cats, ferrets and some exotics. Click here to learn more about vaccinations.

Parasite Prevention

Our pets are susceptible to so many things in their environment and many come into contact with environments and other animals that can transmit infectious parasites. Most parasites are not fatal, but can transmit harmful diseases (like Lyme disease), steal valuable nutrients, cause anemia and other side effects, cause allergic reactions and more. But some parasites like heartworm can be deadly, not to mention costly and difficult to treat. Some of these parasites, like roundworms, ticks, fleas and more, can even be transmitted to humans. Preventing your pet from getting them prevents you and your family from getting them. It’s import to have a comprehensive Parasite Prevention program for your pet that includes preventative medications and practices, and routine testing for common parasites and resulting diseases.

Exotic Pets Need Preventative Care Too!

While most information on preventative veterinary healthcare refers to dogs and cats only, our exotic pet friends need regular exams and care too. An annual physical exam is advised for all species. Most of them do not need vaccinations, and some are difficult or risky to safely acquire adequate blood samples for diagnostic testing. But all species can be impacted by intestinal parasites, so routine fecal testing is advised. And discussing their husbandry (housing, diet, lighting, etc) is a good way to ensure you are providing the best environment for their continued health and comfort.

Rabbits – physical exams, tooth trimming and shaping, nail trimming, bloodwork*, fecal testing
Ferrets – physical exams, vaccinations, dental cleanings, nail trimming, bloodwork, fecal testing
Pocket Pets – physical exams, tooth trimming and shaping, nail trimming, bloodwork*, fecal testing
Birds – physical exams, beak manicure/shaping, nail trimming, bloodwork, fecal testing
Reptiles – physical exams, beak manicure/shaping, nail trimming, bloodwork, fecal testing
Other – physical exams, *vaccinations, *dental cleanings, *nail trimming, *bloodwork, fecal testing

*Depends on size and species

Schedule Preventative Pet Care in St. Paul MN

Now that you know exactly why pet preventative care is so important and what to expect from it, take a critical leap forward in your pet’s health and happiness today. Call (651) 487-3255 today to schedule a wellness exam and other preventative pet care in St. Paul MN. Your special friend deserves no less!