Our puppy wellness exam is designed to help get your puppy started on the right path to a long and healthy life. The first few months are a critical period in your puppy’s development, and we can give you the support and tools necessary to help him or her grow into a well-mannered, healthy dog, including information and advice on nutrition, training, behavior, and socialization.

Schedule your puppy for his or her first exam as soon as possible. Until your puppy has received a series of vaccines, he or she is susceptible to many serious but preventable diseases. We will vaccinate your new dog against rabies, distemper, and parvovirus, among other diseases. Your puppy will also need to be tested and treated for parasites, which are common in young dogs.

Most puppies have roundworms, which are intestinal worms that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal signs (although dogs can have worms without showing any symptoms). It is important for puppies to be treated for roundworms, not only to rid them of the infection but also to prevent you and the rest of your family from becoming infected. Roundworms are a zoonotic parasite, which means they can be transmitted from pets to people. By ensuring that your puppy is treated, you can keep your entire family safe from these and other parasites.

Bringing your pet in for an annual diagnostic and wellness checkup can help reassure you that your dog or cat is healthy or help us detect hidden diseases or conditions early. Early detection can improve the prognosis of many diseases, keep medical costs down, and help your pet live longer. Many dogs and cats are good at hiding signs that something is wrong, so subtle changes in their health or behavior might be easy to overlook. And, depending on the disease, some pets don’t show any symptoms.

Dogs and cats age quicker than humans, so it is even more crucial for our companion animals to receive regular exams. In addition, the risks of arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hormone disorders, and kidney and liver problems all increase with age.

During your pet’s wellness exam, we will perform a physical assessment, checking your dog or cat from nose to tail. We will also make sure your pet receives appropriate vaccinations and preventives. We will perform a diagnostic workup, which may include blood, faecal, and urine tests to check for parasites and underlying diseases. We may also recommend that your pet receive dental care.

When your pet is nearing his or her senior years, we will recommend a baseline exam and diagnostic workup so we’ll know what’s normal for your pet. This will enable us to keep track of any changes.

Please let us know if you’ve noticed any physical or behavioral changes in your pet, as well as any other concerns you might have.

As dogs and cats get older, they need more attention and special care. Our senior wellness program can help your pet remain fit and healthy as he or she ages and help us catch any potential problems earlier when they’re easier to treat or manage. Regular veterinary exams can help your pet live longer, too!

Diagnosing diseases and certain conditions early is important throughout a pet’s life, but it becomes even more critical when your dog or cat enters his or her senior years. The risks of arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hormone disorders, and kidney and liver problems all increase with age. In addition, dogs and cats may not show any signs of even serious diseases until they are advanced.

Senior status varies depending on your pet’s breed and size. Smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger dogs, and cats generally live longer than dogs. We can help you determine what life stage your pet is in.

Before your dog or cat reaches senior status, we recommend that you bring your pet in for a baseline exam and diagnostic workup. This will give us a record of what’s normal for your pet so we can keep track of any changes. In most cases, we suggest this checkup for when your dog turns 7 years of age or your cat turns 8 years of age. Thereafter, your senior pet will benefit from more frequent veterinary exams and diagnostic testing.

We can treat many symptoms that are commonly attributed to age, including those associated with cognitive dysfunction syndrome (similar to Alzheimer’s in humans). We can also improve your pet’s quality of life in many ways: by identifying and preventing or reducing pain, recommending a nutrition and exercise plan, and suggesting environmental modifications.

No loving pet parent ever wants to imagine a scenario in which their animal companion becomes lost. Unfortunately, these things happen. The best way to keep your best friend safe is by planning. Microchip identification provides convenient, affordable, permanent protection and peace of mind that standard forms of ID, such as collars and tags, cannot. 

What is a microchip?

A microchip is a tiny device encrypted with a number that corresponds to a database where your contact information is stored. Should your pet ever become separated from you, the chip can be scanned at any local veterinary clinic or animal shelter. The information obtained from this scan can then be used to help reunite you both safely for a happy ending. 

Does microchipping hurt?

Implanting a microchip is fast, easy, and virtually painless. The process is completed using a local anesthetic for the comfort of your pet. Once implanted, the chip will remain safely and securely under your pet’s skin for the rest of his or her life. You’ll never have to do it again. More importantly, you’ll never have to worry about what will happen to your pet should you become separated. 

Is microchipping expensive?

Many pet owners are surprised to learn that microchip implantation is incredibly affordable. Makawao Veterinary Clinic offers this service for a minimal charge. It can be performed either during a wellness visit, while your companion is sedated for surgery, or at any other time of your choosing. 

Don’t take chances with your pet’s safety. Invest in permanent identification today. Contact Makawao Veterinary Clinic today to learn more.