Helping Your Dog Thrive Year-Round with Comprehensive Care
At The Hometown Veterinarian, we believe preventive care is the foundation of a long, healthy life for your dog. By proactively addressing your pet's health needs, we can help prevent illness, catch problems early, and ensure your beloved companion enjoys their best life—all as part of The Hometown Veterinarian Difference.
What Is Preventive Care for Dogs?
Preventive care is about more than just routine checkups. It's a comprehensive program designed to maintain your dog's health and detect potential concerns before they become serious issues. Our team customizes a preventive care plan tailored to your dog’s unique needs, lifestyle, and life stage.
Key Components of Our Preventive Care Program:
Regular Wellness Examinations
Twice-yearly checkups allow us to monitor your dog's overall health, update records, and address any emerging concerns.
Core Vaccinations provide essential protection against widespread and life-threatening illnesses. Protect your dog from serious diseases with these essential vaccines:
- Rabies: Required by law in many areas and critical for protecting your dog and community.
- Distemper: A potentially fatal viral disease affecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.
- Parvovirus: A highly contagious virus causing severe gastrointestinal illness.
- Adenovirus: Protects against infectious hepatitis and respiratory infections.
- Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection that can spread to humans, affecting the liver and kidneys.
- Bordetella (kennel cough): Ideal for dogs that frequent boarding facilities, groomers, or dog parks.
- Lyme Disease: Recommended for dogs in tick-prone areas or those with frequent outdoor exposure. Central Iowa is a region with high Lyme disease risk and all dogs living in our area should be protected.
- Canine Influenza: Protects against highly contagious respiratory infections, particularly for dogs that travel, board, or attend group settings like daycare.
Parasite Testing and Prevention
Protecting your dog from harmful parasites like fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms is essential for their health. We offer testing and year-round prevention plans tailored to your dog's specific risks.
Annual Wellness Blood Screening
Blood tests, including a complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry panel, allow us to evaluate organ function, detect hidden illnesses, and establish a baseline for your dog's health.
4Dx Testing
This specialized test screens for heartworm disease as well as common tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis.
Why Preventive Care Matters
Early detection saves lives. Regular exams and diagnostics help us catch potential health issues when they’re most treatable, often before your dog shows symptoms. Preventive care is also more cost-effective in the long run, sparing your dog the discomfort of advanced illness and ensuring they stay happy and active.
Partnering with You for Your Dog’s Health
We understand that every dog is unique. That’s why we take the time to discuss your dog's individual needs and lifestyle during preventive care visits. Together, we’ll create a plan that supports your pet’s health and strengthens the bond you share.