Great veterinarian care is an essential aspect of any cat or dog’s life. After adopting a new pet from a shelter or breeder, one of the first things you should do as a pet owner is schedule an appointment with an Austin vet. These health professionals possess the knowledge to examine, diagnosis, and treat a plethora of diseases, conditions, and pesky parasites that can plague your pet’s coat. It pays to take the time to find a qualified veterinarian that can provide your pet the care it needs for a lifetime. Here is what you can expect during your initial visit.
Vaccinations
Pets require regular vaccinations, starting soon after birth and annually thereafter. In most cases, your pet will receive its vaccinations during the first visit. Both dogs and cats must have their rabies vaccine, and dogs must also have their DHLPP or DHPP vaccine which helps protect against hepatitis, distemper, leptospirosis and parainfluenza. Cats often receive a FVRCPC that protects against panleukopenia, calicivirus and chlamydia. Once vaccines are administered, your pet may also require one or more boosters.
Tests and Diagnostics
Cats and dogs should be regularly tested for heartworm and put on preventative medication to prevent their formation. Some vets may recommend bringing in a stool sample to test for various worms and parasites. Cats may be tested for feline immunodeficiency and feline leukemia and both dogs and cats can be tested to check for Lyme disease. These tests can be very beneficial to diagnosis and treat any conditions before they worsen.
Other Procedures
One of the most important procedures performed on cats and dogs is spay and neuter. It’s recommended to schedule an appointment to get your pet spayed or neutered during your first visit to your Austin vet. This will prevent your pet from becoming pregnant or getting another animal pregnant.
The skilled veterinarians and assisting staff at Austin Animal Medical Center are proud to provide local pets with everything from physical exams to orthopedic surgery. For a full list of services, visit http://www.austinanimed.com.