During your pet's dermatology visit, we'll evaluate their medical history and ask you about their symptoms. We'll also ask questions about their lifestyle and environment. This discussion serves as the first step in diagnosing the source of your pet's skin condition/allergy. We can also perform several tests, including food allergy trials. Once a diagnosis is made, we can discuss your treatment options to alleviate your pet's symptoms, which can be as simple as changing your pet's food.
If we decide your pet's lifestyle is complimented by spay or neuter surgery, your pet will receive several medical and behavioral benefits. By having your dog or cat spayed or neutered, you will be helping combat animal homelessness. Cats and dogs can have many litters throughout a lifetime. They are also more likely to roam neighborhoods looking for a mate when they're sexually mature. The benefits of pet spay and neuter surgery include:
The incidence of mammary gland tumors is reduced in females, which are oftentimes malignant. Urine spraying and marking behavior is reduced or eliminated in males and females. The incidence of ovarian and uterine cancer is reduced in females. The chances of developing testicular cancer are eliminated in males. The incidence of prostate disease is reduced in males. Mounting behavior is reduced or eliminated in males.
During your pet's wellness exam at our hospital, we'll perform a nose-to-tail assessment to determine if there are any abnormalities or reasons for concern. Some of the things we look for are lumps, bumps, and dental tartar buildup. If you've noticed any changes in your pet's behavior, appetite, or in any other area, please bring it to our attention during this visit. Your pet's wellness visit may also include the following (if necessary):
Diagnostics (X-rays, lab testing, etc.) Diet and prevention treatment Professional dental cleaning recommendation Vaccines Weight loss consultation
Core vaccines are considered essential for all pets based on the severity of the disease or the risk of exposure to a certain illness. The transmissibility of the disease from pets to humans is another factor of core vaccines. On the other hand, non-core vaccines are recommended ONLY based on the risk of exposure; not every pet needs non-core vaccines to be healthy. Feline leukemia (a contagious cat-to-cat virus) is an example of a non-core vaccine. It's typically recommended for cats that go outside.
What Core Vaccines Does My Pet Need?
We can determine which vaccines your pet needs to be healthy during the wellness exam after conducting a wellness exam and assessing their lifestyle.
There are a number of pet behaviours that are exhibited as a response to elements in a pet's surrounding. Some of the most common behaviours that we encounter are:
Biting and aggression (growling, etc.) Separation anxiety (often exhibited by tearing up objects in the home) Obsessive compulsive behaviours Urinating and defecating in the home Phobias (such as those associated with vacuum cleaners, blenders, and other household items) Please give us a call at (705) 325-4224 if you'd like to schedule a pet behaviour counseling appointment here at Orillia Pet Hospital or if you have any questions about how we can help. Our goal is to eliminate your pet's negative behaviours so they can be a pleasant part of your family and so that you can have a strong, positive relationship with them.
