Best Preventive Care for Your Dog
Being proactive about your dog’s health is the key to a healthy life for the dog. Founders Green Animal Hospital offers dog preventive care in Denver by early detection of health-related issues to keep dogs healthy and active. We believe in providing your dog with the best care through early intervention, including regular checkups, vaccinations, and parasite control, to safeguard them from disease based on their specific needs.
Importance of Routine Veterinary Care in Dogs
Dogs are very good at concealing illness, and signs that you may consider minor could signal a serious problem. For instance, when your pet appears tired, isn't eating well, or is a bit slower than usual, it may not seem urgent, but these can be clues that something needs attention. Regular check-ups can help identify hidden problems even when they appear healthy.
Routine veterinary care helps detect health problems early, provides faster treatment, and achieves better outcomes. How often your dog should visit a veterinarian for a complete checkup depends on your pet's age, breed, and health status. We typically advise these checks once or twice a year, though puppies and older dogs may require more frequent care.
Our veterinarians on staff at Founders Green Animal Hospital will examine your pet for the following:
- Eyes, ears, and nose: Inspecting for infections or irregularities.
- Teeth and gums: Oral condition analysis helps prevent dental issues in dogs, which can be prevalent and cause severe health complications when neglected.
- Skin and coat: Looking for any signs of allergies, irritations, or parasites such as fleas and ticks.
- Muscles and joints: Examining stiffness & symptoms of arthritis, particularly in senior dogs.
- Abdomen: Evaluating for manifestations of gastrointestinal disease, tumor, or any other related concerns.
- Body weight and composition: Observing any weight gain or loss that may indicate potential health problems.
- Heart and lungs: Checking the rhythms of breathing and beating of the heart for any cardiovascular and/or respiratory problems.
- Temperature: Screening for fever or irregular temperatures.
We also recommend annual fecal testing along with heartworm testing to detect internal parasites, particularly in dogs not on yearly heartworm medication. Early intervention for parasites can help prevent future health problems.
Preventive care for dogs also includes discussing changes in mental health and behavior. Your dog may experience stress, anxiety, or behavioral changes, among other issues, which can affect them physically as well. For example, we might ask how your dog interacts with other animals at home, what their dietary habits are, how they behave, or how energetic they are.
Necessary Vaccinations for Your Dog
Vaccinations are a crucial part of preventive care for dogs, as they help protect them from serious infectious diseases that can be life-threatening. By getting the proper vaccines, you can help prevent many illnesses they might encounter, depending on their daily activities. Vaccinations typically fall into two categories: core vaccines, essential for all dogs, and non-core vaccines that may be recommended based on your pet's specific needs.
Core Vaccines
These vaccines are mandatory for all dogs, regardless of their lifestyle. These vaccines protect against the most common and dangerous diseases that could affect your dog.
- Rabies: A deadly viral disease that impacts the brain and can be transmitted to humans. It is legally mandated in many regions.
- DA2PP: This vaccine protects against serious, sometimes fatal diseases like Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza.
- Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection that can cause liver and kidney damage.
Non-core Vaccines
These vaccines are advised based on your dog’s lifestyle, environment, and potential health risks. They help protect them from diseases common in certain areas.
- Canine Influenza (Dog Flu): A contagious respiratory disease that can cause severe symptoms, including coughing, fever, and pneumonia.
- Bordetella: Also known as kennel cough, this highly contagious bacterium can cause coughing and respiratory issues.
Keeping your dog up to date with vaccinations helps protect them from serious illnesses. These vaccines also help prevent disease outbreaks and are often necessary for boarding, grooming, or traveling.
Our Parasite Prevention Approach
Parasites can cause serious health problems in pets if left untreated. Fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites are common issues pets may encounter, whether kept indoors or outdoors. At Founders Green Animal Hospital, we focus on parasite control by offering year-round preventive protection and performing regular health checks to catch problems early.
- Fleas: Common parasites that can cause discomfort, including itching, skin irritation, and even tapeworm infestations. An infestation can spread quickly, making preventive flea treatments essential to protect your pet and your home.
- Ticks: Ticks can transmit Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, and other serious illnesses. If your dog enjoys outdoor activities like hiking or playing in grassy or wooded areas, check them regularly after outings to prevent ticks.
- Heartworms: Heartworms, transmitted by mosquitoes, can severely damage a dog’s heart and lungs. Preventative medication is essential because symptoms often only appear when the condition is severe and harder to treat.
- Internal Parasites: These include roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. Puppies and young pups are especially vulnerable. Regular fecal testing allows us to catch these parasites early and treat them promptly.
We offer a range of parasite prevention options, including oral medications, topical treatments, and vaccinations, tailored to specific needs and risk factors.
The Importance of Microchipping Your Dogs
Accidents happen, and dogs can slip away, even with the best care and attention. Microchips can help reunite you with your pet if they get lost. This tiny chip, roughly the size of a grain of rice, is implanted under their skin in a simple, safe procedure.
Once implanted, the chip is registered in a national database, linking your contact information with your pet’s unique chip number. If your dog gets lost and is found by a veterinarian or shelter, they can scan the chip and reach out to you. Microchips improve the chances of reuniting you with your furry friend and offer peace of mind, even if they mostly stay indoors.
Prevent Obesity With Proper Nutrition
Proper nutrition is vital to your dog’s health, especially as they age or develop weight issues. Obesity can cause joint problems, diabetes, and heart disease. Proper feeding and weight management are key to maintaining health.
For dog preventive care in Denver, Founders Green Animal Hospital provides customized nutritional guidance tailored to your pet’s individual needs, including recommendations for high-quality, age-appropriate foods to ensure they get the nutrients they need. For overweight or obese dogs, we offer weight-management strategies focused on portion control, healthier food choices, and regular exercise.
We will also guide you on managing allergies and specialized diets for dogs with conditions like diabetes or IBS. By keeping your dog’s weight within a healthy range, you can help prevent many obesity-related health issues.
