Examinations
Regular wellness exams are an important tool in maximizing your pet’s overall health. They allow our veterinarians to notice issues at their beginning stages, when they are most treatable, and before they can put your pet in serious pain. We recommend that all pets receive at least one wellness exam annually. Adolescent and senior animals may need more frequent visits to meet their special health needs, and keep tabs on their less robust immune systems.
During your pet’s physical exam, one of our trained veterinarians will:
- Look into the mouth at the teeth and gums
- Listen to the heart and lungs
- Look into the eyes and ears
- Check that the coat and skin are healthy and parasite free
- Palpate the stomach, joints, and lymph node
- Check their weight
The physical examination can give our veterinarians and veterinary assistants a multitude of information. In addition to the physical examination, ordering a few tests might be in order if anything seems amiss. If your pet hasn’t had a checkup in awhile, is an adolescent, or is geriatric, a panel of tests might also be warranted. Some tests, such as a fecal test, are routine and recommended once a year regardless.
Aside from the physical elements of the wellness examination, we at Broadway Veterinary Clinic also see this as a wonderful opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you might have. In fact, we even encourage you to write down some questions you have in advance for us to discuss. Client education is near to our hearts because we know that it will help you keep your pet comfortable and living in harmony.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are an unrivaled tool to prevent potentially debilitating or life-threatening diseases. Because they are so critical for protecting both individual pets, and the animal population at large, some are even required by law.
Vaccinations prevent disease by exposing the immune system to a very small dose of the bacteria or virus. The dose is not large enough to elicit symptoms, but it allows the immune system to build antibodies for the particular disease. After the exposure, the immune system will be better prepared to fight off the ailment if encountered in the environment.
Your veterinarian can work with you to decide the best vaccine protocol for your pet. Certain vaccinations make up the core of our protocol, which means we believe every pet should receive them, or they are a legal requirement. Based on your pet’s lifestyle and risk of exposure, some additional non-core vaccines may be recommended.
Core Vaccines:
- Canine: Rabies, DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza)
Non-Core Vaccines:
- Canine: Lyme, Bordetella, Leptospirosis
Core Vaccines:
- Feline: Rabies, FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia)
Non-Core Vaccines:
- Feline: FeLV
We know that some owners may be concerned about over-vaccinating. Your veterinarian can offer counsel on the best course of action to take for your pet. We believe that protection against life-threatening diseases is a critical element of veterinary care, and will advise your vaccine protocol accordingly.
In some rare cases, certain pets can have adverse reactions to vaccinations. If your pet seems more lethargic than usual after receiving a vaccine, for up to 24 hours, this is considered a typical side effect. Their body is using its energy fighting the small dosage of the virus or bacteria, so they might need to rest. If more severe symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, inflammation, or anaphylaxis, please contact us immediately.
Parasite Control
Parasites are not only pesky, they can be dangerous and even life-threatening once an infestation becomes severe. A parasite is defined as any organism that subsists by stealing the energy of a host animal. Some common parasites include fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, and heartworms. Sadly, these nuisances are found in almost every environment, and Maine is no exception.
Our veterinary team recommends a two step-process for assured parasite prevention: preventative medicine and annual fecal testing.
Preventative medicine for both fleas and ticks, and intestinal worms is a must for dogs and cats, especially in the spring and summer months when they are most prevalent. Usually both forms of medicine are administered on a monthly basis with either a tasty chew or topical treatment. Ask your veterinarian about the different available options, and which would work best for your budget, convenience, and lifestyle.
Fleas are known for their painful and/or itchy bites. They are common in the warmer months, and left untreated they can cause severe anemia and even death. If your pet has fleas, and brings them into your home, they can be tough to remove from your living space and can also bite you and your family. Thankfully, there are many forms of flea medicine, including collars, topical treatments, and oral medicine.
Microchipping
Do you have a plan in place in case your pet becomes lost or runs away? With a small microchip embedded under the skin, you will never have to worry about your pet being without your contact information.
Too often, pets who are missing their identification tags turn up in animal shelters or veterinary offices across the country. Often, the first thing the animal care professionals will do is use a special reader to check if they have a microchip.
The microchipping procedure is quick and easy. It is no more painful or time-consuming than a shot, and no anesthesia is necessary. Once implanted, we will give you the information and paperwork to file your phone number and address into a national database. If your pet is ever lost and scanned for a chip, this database will direct their rescuers to your information so a happy reunion will follow.
Remember that if your your contact information changes, such as during a move or a phone carrier change, to update your information in the system so the chip can continue to do its job.
Of course, we still recommend that pets with microchips also have a set of ID tags. The more identification information, the better their chances of returning home after a mishap!
Nutrition & Weight Management
Approximately one out of every three pets in the U.S. is overweight or obese. And pets that are over their ideal weight are more vulnerable to diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure, skin issues, and more. They also experience a diminished quality of life because they are not able to run and play like their trim counterparts.
If you are worried your pet is overweight, the first thing to do is ask your veterinarian. At Broadway Veterinary Clinic, we will weigh them, and tell you if and how much excess body weight they have based on their height, breed, and other measurements.
Once we have an idea of the severity of the situation, we can begin to create a plan to get them into shape. Some of the factors of a weight loss plan for pets could include:
- Feeding a clinically proven, metabolic pet food so they can still eat healthy portions, but their food won’t hold them back from a healthy weight.
- Exercise! If you have a dog, dust off your walking shoes and get that leash out. Not only is taking a dog on a long walk good for their waistline, it also is a great way to bond, and it helps them feel more calm and relaxed post-walk. In the wild, dogs’ wolf ancestors would be walking miles every day, patrolling their territory. From chihuahuas to Great Danes, dogs have walking in their blood.
- If you have a cat, exercising them can seem like a tougher task. If your cat is an adult, try to set aside at least ten minutes every day to play with them using whatever toys tickle their fancy.
- Keep track of their progress using photos and bi-weekly weigh-ins. If your plan is working, you can celebrate and stick to the course. If their weight is not budging, you will also be informed and your veterinarian can help you orchestrate a new approach.
Trusted Pet Care & a Friendly Welcome for Every Pet
