With the holidays over and the new year officially in gear, now is the perfect time to turn your attention to the year ahead. And at the top of the list? Making sure your pets receive the preventative vet care they need to stay happy and healthy. From wellness checks and vaccines to updating microchip information, these simple steps can help ensure your pet has a paws-itively fantastic year!
Preventative Vet Care Checklist
You know the old saying: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Routine, preventative vet care is vital for preventing and mitigating serious health problems. Here are our recommendations for keeping your pet’s wellness front and center this year.
Schedule Wellness Checks for the Year Ahead
With busy work, school, and life schedules, sometimes pets’ vet visits can fall off the radar! We recommend getting ahead of the rush by scheduling your pet’s annual wellness visit at the beginning of the year.
At your pet’s annual wellness exam, we’ll make sure they’re up-to-date on vaccines, check for underlying health conditions, and stay on top of other preventative vet care. This is also a great chance for you to ask questions about your pet’s behavior and address any changes or health concerns.
Get An Annual Dental Cleaning on the Books
Tooth and gum disease is the most common condition that affects pets of all ages, breeds, and species. That’s why regular dental cleanings are a crucial part of your pet’s annual preventative vet care plan.
During the dental cleaning, we thoroughly examine the teeth and gums to check for fractures, lesions, and other injuries. We then remove built-up plaque and tartar, which are the top contributors to dog dental disease. Finally, we polish the teeth, removing microscopic scratches that make it easier for plaque and tartar to accumulate.
For most pets, an annual dental cleaning and regular at-home dental care can prevent painful periodontal disease.
Put Monthly Preventatives on Autoship
With our mild Pacific Northwest winters, flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives are an essential part of your pet’s year-round care. With our convenient online pharmacy, you can get preventatives delivered right to your door so your pet’s protection never misses a beat.
Check Your Pet’s Microchip Info
It’s estimated that one in three pets will go missing over the course of their lifetime. A microchip can drastically improve your pet’s chances of making it back home safely. Have you moved or changed your phone number in the last year? Make sure your contact information is registered and up-to-date on your pet’s microchip! This small step can make a world of difference if your pet ever gets lost.
Preventative Vet Care for Senior Pets
For many senior pets, especially those with chronic health conditions, a little extra care can go a long way. In general, your vet may recommend twice-yearly annual exams, lab work, or other diagnostics to make sure they’re staying healthy. Have questions about your senior pet’s specific preventative care recommendations? Give us a call!
Compassionate Veterinary Care for Your Best Friends
At Pine Point Animal Hospital, we’re committed to caring for pets through every stage and phase of life! From routine wellness and preventative vet care to ongoing management of chronic conditions, our personalized approach to veterinary care ensures that every pet receives the attention and personalized care they deserve. We look forward to caring for your pets in 2025 and beyond!