Pet Wellness Exams
Regular wellness exams allow your veterinarian to evaluate your pet's general health and become aware of health problems before they become serious illnesses. We may need to perform diagnostic tests, including blood tests and/or X-rays, to evaluate your pet's health.
Routine blood testing, fecal testing, urinalysis and other tests are often recommended for pets in their "senior years." Your veterinarian may also recommend routine blood testing and urinalysis for younger pets to establish baseline values, which can be used for comparison as pets age. During the warmer months of the year, heartworm testing is key to your pet's health.
These regular examinations and tests will help your pet live a longer and healthier life, so do your part to care for your furry friend!
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are one of the most important preventive measures you can take for the health of your pet. Dogs can be immunized against distemper, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, parvovirus, Bordetella, rabies, and Lyme disease. Cats can be immunized against feline panleukopenia (distemper), rabies, feline rhinotracheitis, chlamydia, feline leukemia, and FIP.
Which vaccines to use and how frequently they should be given depends on many factors, so talk to your veterinarian to understand what is recommended for your pet’s unique environment and lifestyle.
Spay & Neuter Surgery
One of the most important health decisions you'll make is to spay or neuter your cat or dog. Spaying (removing the ovaries and uterus of a female pet) is a veterinary procedure that requires minimal hospitalization and offers lifelong health benefits. Neutering (removing the testicles of your male dog or cat) will vastly improve your pet's behaviour and keep him close to home.
If you have made the decision to spay or neuter your pet, the first step is to book a pre-anesthetic bloodwork appointment with one of our technicians (assuming that you have seen the veterinarian recently and the vaccines are up to date). The results come back within 24 hours and a doctor will call to report the results. Once your veterinarian has given your pet the "go ahead", you can book your surgery. Your pet will thank you!
Dentistry & Dental Surgery
Dental care in cats and dogs is one of the most commonly overlooked areas of pet care. Approximately 80% of all dogs and cats have signs of periodontal disease by the time they are only two years old! Dental disease affects much more than fresh breath. It frequently leads to more serious health problems such as liver, kidney and heart disease. At Golf Links Veterinary Hospital, we will carefully examine your pet to see if there is need for a dental cleaning or if necessary, dental surgery. We want you pet to be as healthy as possible and good oral hygiene is paramount to making this happen.
