How often should my dog or cat see a veterinarian?

Most healthy adult pets should have a wellness examination every 6 to 12 months. Puppies, kittens, senior pets, and pets with medical conditions may require more frequent visits.

Annual wellness visits allow veterinarians to:

• Detect diseases earlier
• Monitor weight and nutrition
• Update vaccinations
• Screen for parasites
• Discuss behavior and lifestyle changes
• Ensure heartworm and flea/tick prevention are current

Why are annual wellness exams important?

Pets age much faster than humans. Significant health changes can occur in just a few months.

Routine wellness examinations help detect:

• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Heart disease
• Arthritis
• Dental disease
• Cancer

Early detection often leads to better outcomes and lower treatment costs.

When should I take my pet to the veterinarian immediately?

Seek veterinary care right away if your pet experiences:

• Difficulty breathing
• Collapse
• Seizures
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea
• Inability to urinate
• Pale gums
• Heatstroke
• Suspected poisoning
• Significant trauma
• Severe bleeding

What vaccines does my dog need?

Core dog vaccines typically include:

• Rabies
• Distemper
• Adenovirus (Hepatitis)
• Parvovirus
• Parainfluenza
• Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
• Leptospirosis

Lifestyle vaccines may include:

• Canine Influenza

Your veterinarian will recommend vaccines based on your dog’s risk factors.

What vaccines does my cat need?

Core cat vaccines generally include:

• Rabies
• FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia)
• Feline Leukemia (FeLV)

Are vaccines safe for pets?

Vaccines are extremely safe and play a critical role in preventing serious diseases. Mild soreness or temporary lethargy may occur. Serious reactions are rare.

Does my pet really need heartworm prevention year-round?

Yes.

Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause severe heart and lung disease. Year-round prevention is safer and less expensive than treating heartworm disease.

What is ProHeart® 12?

ProHeart 12 is an injectable heartworm preventive that provides protection for dogs for 12 months with a single injection.

Benefits include:

• One annual treatment
• Eliminates missed monthly doses
• Continuous protection

What is Bravecto Quantum®?

Bravecto Quantum provides long-lasting flea and tick protection through a veterinarian-administered injection.

Benefits include:

• One annual treatment
• Eliminates missed monthly doses
• Continuous protection

Ask our team whether it is appropriate for your dog’s lifestyle and risk factors.

Why does my pet need flea and tick prevention if they stay indoors?

Even indoor pets can be exposed to fleas and ticks through:

• Other pets
• People entering the home
• Wildlife
• Outdoor trips

Parasites can cause itching, skin infections, anemia, and disease transmission.

Does my pet really need a dental cleaning?

Yes.

By age three, most dogs and cats have some degree of dental disease.

Untreated dental disease can lead to:

• Bad breath
• Tooth loss
• Pain
• Infection
• Heart, liver, and kidney complications

How often should my pet have a dental cleaning?

Most pets benefit from professional dental evaluations and cleanings annually. Some pets require cleanings more frequently based on breed, age, and oral health.

Is anesthesia necessary for dental cleanings?

A complete dental cleaning and evaluation requires anesthesia to safely clean beneath the gumline and obtain dental radiographs.

Anesthesia-free dental cleanings do not address disease below the gumline where most problems occur.

At what age is my pet considered a senior?

Generally:

Dogs

• Small breeds: 7–10 years
• Large breeds: 6–8 years

Cats

• 10 years and older

Why is bloodwork important for senior pets?

Routine bloodwork helps identify diseases before obvious symptoms develop.

Common conditions detected early include:

• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Diabetes
• Thyroid disease
• Anemia
• Infection

Many senior pets can appear healthy despite significant underlying disease.

How often should senior pets have bloodwork?

Most senior pets benefit from screening bloodwork every 6 to 12 months.

Pets with chronic conditions may require more frequent monitoring.

What are signs of diabetes in cats?

Common signs include:

• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Weight loss
• Increased appetite
• Weakness
• Poor hair coat

Can feline diabetes be treated?

Yes.

Many diabetic cats can be successfully managed through:

• Medication
• Dietary management
• Weight control
• Regular monitoring

Some cats may even achieve diabetic remission.

What diet is recommended for diabetic cats?

Many diabetic cats benefit from high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets. Your veterinarian may recommend therapeutic diets such as diabetic-specific nutrition plans.

Is anesthesia safe for pets?

Modern veterinary anesthesia is very safe.

At Premier Veterinary Hospital, anesthesia protocols are individualized based on:

• Age
• Breed
• Health status
• Procedure type

Monitoring typically includes:

• ECG
• Blood pressure
• Oxygen levels
• Carbon dioxide monitoring
• Respiratory rate
• Heart rate
• Temperature monitoring

Why does my pet need pre-anesthetic bloodwork?

Pre-anesthetic bloodwork helps identify hidden issues that may affect anesthesia safety, including:

• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Infection
• Anemia
• Blood sugar abnormalities

When should my pet be spayed or neutered?

The ideal timing varies based on:

• Breed
• Size
• Age
• Lifestyle
• Medical history

Our veterinarians can discuss the best timing for your individual pet.

Do you offer professional grooming?

Yes.

Our grooming services include:

• Full haircuts
• Bathing
• Nail trims
• Ear cleaning
• De-shedding services

How often should my dog be groomed?

Most dogs benefit from grooming every 4 to 8 weeks depending on:

• Coat type
• Lifestyle
• Breed
• Home maintenance

When should puppies start vaccinations?

Most puppies begin vaccines at 6 to 8 weeks of age and continue every 3 to 4 weeks until approximately 16 weeks of age.

When should kittens start vaccinations?

Most kittens begin vaccinations at 6 to 8 weeks of age and continue every 3 to 4 weeks until approximately 16 weeks of age.

What should I bring to my pet’s first appointment?

Please bring:

• Previous medical records
• Vaccine history
• Current medications
• Stool sample (if available)
• Any questions or concerns

What should I do if my dog eats chocolate?

Contact a veterinarian immediately.

The danger depends on:

• Type of chocolate
• Amount consumed
• Dog’s weight

Do not wait for symptoms to develop.

What should I do if my pet eats something toxic?

Call a veterinarian immediately.

Examples include:

• Human medications
• Xylitol
• Chocolate
• Grapes and raisins
• Certain plants
• Rodenticides

Prompt treatment greatly improves outcomes.

Why Choose Premier Veterinary Hospital?

Premier Veterinary Hospital provides:

• Comprehensive wellness care
• Advanced diagnostics
• Digital radiology
• Ultrasound
• Surgery
• Dentistry
• Professional grooming
• Preventive medicine
• Senior pet health programs
• Puppy and kitten care

Our goal is to help pets live longer, healthier, and happier lives through preventive care and early disease detection.