Veterinary Primary Care Overview

Primary Care for pets (also called General Practice) encompasses the routine best practices for keeping your pet healthy and happy. Preventive Care is an important part of primary care for cats and dogs.

Our preventative care services help avoid pet illness before it starts or identify it early (when easier and less costly to treat) if your pet is already sick: vaccines, preventive medications, exams, etc. Other minor procedures and health concerns are no problem for our Veterinary General Practice team: elective surgeries (spay, neuter, dewclaw – front only, etc.), dental care, and dental cleaning.

We also offer Dog Wellness Plans and Cat Wellness Plans that include all of the preventive care services that your pet will need for the year.

Newborn pets have special health needs that will change over time. We offer comprehensive Puppy Care and Kitten Care to help your little one stay healthy. Count on our veterinary Primary Care team to help guide you through your first puppy, figure out why your cat has suddenly stopped using the litter box, or work with you to tailor care for your aging senior pet that has been a part of your family for a long time! We are here for you, from the beginning through the finale of your beloved pet’s life. In addition to having in house laboratories and pharmacies, we offer:

• Dental care
• Parasite control – fleas & ticks
• Physical Examinations
• Nutritional counseling and weight management plans
• Routine Surgery
• Radiology
• Senior/geriatric care
• Skin and coat care
• Spay and neutering
• Vaccinations
• Wellness exams
• Cold Laser therapy

Why Preventive Care Is Important

Many pet owners do not realize how critical preventative care is to the overall health and wellbeing of their pets. Also known as wellness care, preventative care has a direct positive impact on pet health, longevity, and quality of life. Annual exams, vaccinations, parasite control, weight maintenance, and other preventative measures help keep your pets’ immune system in top shape and catch potentially life-threatening diseases before they gain a foothold.

Since our pets cannot tell us how they are feeling, an annual physical examination is very important. Our veterinarians may identify subtle changes not observed by a pet owner before severe symptoms occur. During this exam, we will examine them from ‘nose to tail’ – searching for evidence of disease, noting baseline measurements like heart rate and weight, and even checking for early signs of conditions such as arthritis. Lumps will be investigated, skin scrutinized, and many questions about your pet’s habits at home will be asked. Things as innocuous as how much and how often your pet drinks can point to possible disease. The earlier we diagnose and treat a disease, the better the chances are that your pet will make a full recovery.

You love your pet. So do we. You can receive Primary Care from our dedicated staff at any 1st Pet location. And if you move locally, or you must visit a 1st Pet that isn’t your ‘regular’ location, don’t worry! We can access your pets’ records from any 1st Pet location, via our networked practice management software.

Progressive, compassionate healthcare for the life of your pet. Whatever you need, anytime day or night, 1st Pet Veterinary Centers is the one to call.