Behavior and Training
Routines, well-timed rewards and realistic expectations — where good manners really start…
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Annual check-ups are the single highest-value visit in veterinary care — here is what we are actually looking for when your pet seems “perfectly fine.”
The quiet problems we catch early
Weight creep, dental disease, heart murmurs and lumps the size of peas — most are invisible at home and trivial to manage when found early. Many pets we examine leave with a finding their owner never suspected.
- Dental checks: gum disease is very common, even in young dogs.
- Weight trends matter more than any single weigh-in — bring last year’s numbers.
- Skin, ears and nails tell the story of allergies long before scratching starts.
Vaccines, without the confusion
Core vaccines (rabies, distemper-parvo, adenovirus for dogs; panleukopenia, herpesvirus and calicivirus for cats) protect against diseases that still circulate. Lifestyle vaccines — kennel cough, Lyme, feline leukemia — depend on how your pet actually lives. Travellers, hikers and daycare regulars need more coverage than indoor loungers.
Seniors: twice a year, every year
After age seven for most dogs (five for giant breeds) and ten for cats, six months equals years in human terms. Twice-yearly exams with bloodwork catch kidney, thyroid and arthritis changes while small adjustments still work wonders.
How to make visits fear-free
Carrier training for cats, “happy visits” with treats and no needles for puppies, and honest notes about what scares your pet — all of it helps us tailor the appointment. A calm pet gets a better exam, every time.
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