This procrastination can stem from a variety of reasons… Animals are very adept at masking their pain, so not to be perceived as weak by their natural predators, so you may not know something is wrong. Or, sometimes we just don’t want to admit to ourselves that there may be a problem to avoid our own anguish… Whatever the reason, committing to regular pet wellness care can save you you (and your pet) time, money, and even heart ache in the long run.

Here’s why…

Pet Wellness Care

Instead of just bringing your pet in for veterinary care when something is wrong, scheduling (and keeping) regular wellness visits can actually reduce the chances of an emergency happening in the first place. Obviously regular wellness exams won’t eliminate all emergencies, but it can reduce the odds considerably.

Pet wellness care isn’t just about vaccinations (which are important) – the true value is in the early detection of major illnesses or conditions that could put your pet’s health and safety at risk. Illnesses that, if left undetected, could result in emergency care, high-cost life-saving treatments, or worse…

At Seven Hills Veterinary Hospital, we encourage pet owners to consider bring their pets in for bi-annual wellness exams; the first for an overall nose-to-tail exam and to discuss behavior changes, and any issues you’ve noticed with your pet’s health, and the second for another well-pet check, where we will also review your pet’s nutritional needs and discuss other health issues that might be at play.

During these exams, we will also be sure that your pet is current on any vaccinations or preventatives he or she needs, do a precursory dental check, well as any labs or blood work that is needed to detect parasites, early signs of illness, etc.

Other Aspects of Pet Wellness Care

Pet wellness care isn’t just limited to well-pet checks, however. It also encompasses your pet’s reproductive health and dental health, too.

Spay/Neuter –

Not only does spaying or neutering your pets keep them from having an “unexpected” litter of babies for you to take care of and find new homes for, it also helps in other ways:

  • Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer in female dogs and cats
  • Neutering male pets helps to prevent testicular cancer, if you have it done before six months of age
  • Intact males are more likely to roam from home, looking for a mate. This adds to his risk of getting hurt or killed in a catfight or on the road
  • Spaying or neutering your pet costs less than if they were to have a litter – the care for baby animals is not cheap

Dental Care –

Dental care is very important for your pet’s health. Because of this, regular dental check-ups should be a high priority on your pet care list. You can tell your pet needs some tooth care if they have any of these issues:

  • Bad breath
  • Swollen or bleeding gums
  • Tooth discoloration
  • Excessive drooling
  • Loose or missing teeth

Affording Pet Wellness Care

Pet care can be far more affordable if you make sure to schedule in time for preventative care. Your pet’s wellness is important, and being proactive helps prevent the need for emergency care down the road. Here are some great ways that you can work towards making sure you have the money needed for your pet’s care:

  • Put some money away from every paycheck into a pet care fund that you can use each time you take your pet in for an appointment. If you put enough away you will also ensure you have enough if an emergency does arise.
  • If you find it difficult to put money away for veterinary care and emergencies, you can set aside a credit card for covering your pet’s veterinary care also.
  • Pet insurance is a great choice, especially for anyone with a pet that is in need of a lot of veterinary care and visits. While it doesn’t cover all costs, it does help alleviate the amount you have to pay out-of-pocket.
  • Make monthly payments directly to us, and we can create an account that will allow you to save money for your pet’s preventative health care costs.

If you have any other questions about the benefits of wellness care, if you are interested in learning more about paying for your pet’s care, or if you’re ready to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.