Carlsbad Pet Wellness Services
As a full service Carlsbad veterinary practice serving the communities of Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas, Cardiff, Escondido, Vista and throughout Northern San Diego County, Aviara Animal Health Center is dedicated to providing our clients' pets with the best medical care available.
Routine Preventative Checkups
The basis of our promise to you and the foundation of your pet's health is the thorough practice of preventative care. As medical professionals we also understand that preventing disease is the best means to control the lifelong cost of care for your pet.
For these reasons, we recommend routine thorough wellness checkups, proper dental care here and at home, appropriate vaccinations, microchip identification in case your pet becomes lost, and regular screenings for diseases that commonly afflict pets in their senior years.
Partners in Your Pet's Health
We also strongly believe that client education and communication are vital aspects of good veterinary care as well as important components for strengthening the human/animal bond. Caring for your pet does not begin and end at our practice. It is continuous and requires empowering you with the information you need to provide the best and most compassionate care for your beloved pet.
Modern Diagnosis and Treatment Capabilities
However, despite even the best preventative treatment, our pets may yet experience an illness or injury. The skill, experience and extensive education of the doctors at Aviara Animal Health Center as well as the tools and technologies at our modern facility mean we are able to quickly and effectively diagnose and manage complex medical and surgical challenges.
Veterinary Specialist Referrals
Our level of expertise, capabilities and resources also reduces the frequency of referrals to specialists. This saves costs to you and means that your pet will receive care from people he or she knows, in a comfortable and familiar setting. Should your pet require the care of a specialist, we are partnered with a network of board certified specialists able to handle a wide range of specialty medical issues.
In all, we strive to provide the highest level of service to you and care to your pet in a warm, safe and inviting atmosphere. Please take a look at the services we offer and why we believe they are important for the care of your pet and then give us a call today to set up an appointment.
Carlsbad Pet Wellness Exams
Aviara Animal Health Center believes that prevention is the key to your pet's long term health as well as minimizing the lifetime cost of care. This means our doctors highly recommend routine wellness exams, vaccinations, regular lab work, deworming and fecal checks, as well as medications to prevent heartworm, fleas and ticks.
These services are not dramatic or difficult to perform and are offered at a very reasonable cost. In fact, most of these tests can be done during your dog or cat's regular wellness exam. These examinations are similar to the yearly physical you receive from your doctor. It is a chance to assess your pet's overall health, discuss any changes we see, educate and update you on advancements in veterinary care, and for you to discuss any concerns or questions you may have.
The yearly wellness care we recommend includes:
Physical Exam
During your pet's regular wellness exam your veterinarian will:
- Examine the heart and lungs
- Check the teeth and oral cavity
- Assess vision, eyes, and ears
- Palpate the lymph nodes, abdomen and skin
- Palpate the joints and muscles
Deworming and Fecal Check
Though Carlsbad, California, does not suffer from an epidemic-like level of parasitic diseases, dangerous parasites are present in the environment. Importantly, if brought into your home, these parasites can be passed from your pet to you and your family. For example, we normally associate parasites, such as roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms with cats and dogs, but people can also be infected with the same parasites. Regular fecal checks and deworming are the best way to prevent parasitic disease and the transmission of intestinal parasites from pets to people. It also prevents the shedding of parasite eggs, which contaminate yards or any place a pet defecates.
Routine Blood Work
A complete physical includes a heartworm test, parasite screening, and should include a full blood workup. Not only can a full chemistry panel and complete blood count identify the presence of underlying disease processes, but these tests help create a baseline should your pet become ill between routine examinations. Additionally, blood work is necessary if your veterinarian recommends a dental cleaning, removal of skin masses, or any other procedure that requires anesthesia. We also recommend comprehensive blood work annually for all pets over the age of seven.
Heartworm and Tick Borne Disease
Lyme and other tick borne diseases are prevalent in San Diego County. It is also not uncommon for us to see dogs that test positive for heartworm. For this reason, we recommend that all dogs be tested annually for heartworm.
Preventative Medications
Since heartworm, fleas, and ticks are prevalent in our area of the country, Aviara Animal Health Center recommends that your pet receive preventative medication for these pests. We sell a variety of preventatives and would be happy to help you determine which is best for your companion.
In all, these pet wellness services offer the best means to protect your pet's health and well-being through prevention and early detection of disease.