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Proactive Care for a Happy and Healthy Dog’s Life
At Lakewood Animal Hospital, we are committed to your dog’s well-being through proactive preventative care. By preventing health issues before they arise, we ensure your dog enjoys a long, active, and healthy life. Our tailored approach to wellness care combines regular exams, vaccinations, parasite control, microchipping, and overall health guidance to meet the specific needs of your dog at every life stage.
Comprehensive Wellness Exams
During routine wellness visits, our veterinary team performs a head‑to‑tail physical exam to check weight, heart, lungs, skin, eyes, joints, teeth, and overall body condition. These exams help catch subtle changes before they become significant health problems. Frequency may vary, but most dogs benefit from at least one annual visit; puppies or senior dogs may require more frequent evaluations.
Vaccinations
Vaccines protect dogs from serious contagious diseases like rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus. We develop a vaccination schedule specific to your pet’s risk factors, age, and lifestyle. Staying current with vaccines is one of the most important steps in disease prevention.
- Core Vaccinations for Dogs: Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus
- Non-Core Vaccinations for Dogs: Bordetella Vaccine (Kennel Cough), Lyme Disease, Leptospirosis
Microchipping
Microchipping is a simple, safe, and effective way to ensure your dog can always find its way back to you. A microchip is a tiny device about the size of a grain of rice that’s inserted under your dog’s skin, typically between the shoulder blades. Each microchip has a unique ID number that is registered in a national database, linking it to your contact information.
Why Microchip Your Dog?
Accidents happen — whether your dog escapes from your yard, gets lost during a walk, or is separated during travel. Microchipping gives you peace of mind knowing that your dog can be identified and returned to you.
- Permanent ID: Won’t fall off or wear out.
- Peace of Mind: Helps reunite you with your dog if lost.
- Lifelong: No need for replacements.
- Quick & Simple: Fast procedure during a routine visit.
Parasite Prevention
Parasites such as fleas, ticks, and heartworms can cause significant harm to your dog’s health. Parasite prevention is a cornerstone of effective preventative care, and we provide both treatment and ongoing prevention to protect your dog from these dangerous pests.
Heartworms are deadly parasites spread by mosquitoes. Monthly heartworm prevention is essential year-round, with options like oral tablets and topical treatments.
Signs and Symptoms of Parasites in Dogs
- Excessive scratching or biting: This could indicate fleas or ticks causing irritation.
- Vomiting or diarrhea: Often a sign of intestinal worms or digestive infections.
- Weight loss: Unexplained weight loss may be linked to hookworms or tapeworms.
- Lethargy: Unusual tiredness could be caused by heartworms or other parasitic infections.
- Coughing: Persistent coughing is a common symptom of heartworm disease or respiratory issues from parasites.
Nutrition and Weight Management
Healthy dogs start with balanced nutrition and appropriate activity. Our team partners with you to ensure your dog’s diet and weight support overall wellness. We provide recommendations that help prevent obesity, a risk factor for many chronic conditions, and support optimal energy levels and joint health across all life stages.
Behavioral Counseling
Behavioral counseling is a vital part of your dog’s overall health. If your dog is experiencing anxiety, aggression, or other behavioral issues, our team can help. Through counseling and training, we aim to address problem behaviors, improve your dog’s quality of life, and strengthen the bond between you and your pet. Whether it's separation anxiety, excessive barking, or destructive behaviors, we can work together to create a tailored plan for success.