Key Benefits

• To prevent disease.
• To identify problems & disease in early stages.
• To provide the quality of life you wish to give your pet.

Comprehensive exams

The comprehensive physical exam is one of the best tools available for keeping your pet healthy.   It is an opportunity for the veterinarian to examine your pet from nose to tail and to point out anything that can or needs to be done to maintain your pet's health.  It is also an opportunity for your veterinarian to inform you of the most recent recommendations in pet health care.  Your pet's microchip can be scanned to confirm that it is in place and functioning properly.  It is an ideal time to update your pet's vaccinations and to perform any diagnostic tests that are recommended.

Vaccinations

There are several vaccines available for dogs and cats.  The annual comprehensive physical exam is an opportunity to discuss with the veterinary staff which vaccines your pet is due for and what your pet's risk factors are to best determine which vaccinations are indicated. The 'distemper' vaccine (one vaccine that protects against a number of different viruses in one shot) is recommended annually for both dogs and cats.  The rabies vaccine is recommended yearly in cats and every other year in dogs.*  There is a feline leukemia vaccine available for cats and several others available for dogs, including Lyme, Bordetella, and corona vaccines.  We also offer the giardia vaccine for dogs and cats, as the giardia parasite is present in great numbers in this area, affecting both indoor and outdoor animals.  This has proven to be true for Lyme disease as several dogs have presented symptomatic and have tested positive for Lyme disease, regardless of where they live or their outdoor activity level.  At both locations, Barrington Oaks offers a distemper vaccination for ferrets along with a rabies vaccine approved for use in ferrets.

*check with your city requirements; rabies tags and certificates are issued at time of vaccination.  Pet licenses are issued by your city.

 

Diagnostic testing

Diagnostic testing can provide the veterinarian with information such as if your pet does (or does not) have heartworm disease, feline leukemia, intestinal parasites, or a urinary tract infection.  Blood work can show evidence of disease such as diabetes, changes in liver or kidney function or simply provide a baseline for future reference.   Diagnostic testing may also serve as a pre-anesthetic screen prior to a dental or surgical procedure that requires general anesthesia such as a spay or neuter surgery.

 

Routine spay & neuter surgery

Pet-population control is important, and altering your pet to prevent unwanted litters of puppies and kittens is strongly advised.  However, there are other reasons to spay and neuter your pet.  Spaying females helps to prevent mammary and uterine infections and cancers.  Neutering males helps to prevent prostate and testicular cancers.   Altering your pet at a young age may control some of the hormonal urges that lead to undesirable behaviors.

 

Microchip Identification

The Home Again Microchip Pet Identification System is offered and recommended by the Barrington Oaks Veterinary hospitals.  This is a means of permanent identification for your pet.  This method of identification is an excellent way to increase your chances of being reunited with your pet in the event that you are separated.

 

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