Preventative Care

Examinations

Even if your pet appears to be healthy, routine physical examinations are a crucial part of their long-term welfare. Pets can sometimes mask signs of disease, so these exams are important for getting a clear picture of their overall health. Our staff at Fairview Heights and O’Fallon Animal Clinic are prepared to give you a complete idea of the health of your pet. We recommend visiting once or twice a year for an exam, depending on your pet’s age. This way, if our veterinarian does notice anything abnormal, we can start treatment right away before a disease starts to progress.

Our medical team operates on a "nose-to-tail" basis, meaning we will check every part of your pet’s body and discuss any concerns we might find. We might recommend further diagnostic testing if there is anything noticeable found during the exam.

During Your Pet’s Exam, Our Veterinarian Will:

• Look at the eyes, ears, and nose
• Inspect the teeth and gums for signs of dental disease or decay
• Examine the skin and fur
• Feel the muscles and joints
• Palpate the abdomen
• Check the weight and body composition
• Listen to the heartbeat and respiratory rate
• Check the temperature

We also recommend a fecal test every six months to one year and a heartworm test every year to check for internal parasites. Please bring a fresh fecal sample to your appointment if requested by the veterinarian.

When we are discussing your pet’s physical health, we might also ask you a few questions about their mental health. Stress, behavioral issues, and lifestyle can eventually result in physical issues. Some questions may include:

• Does your pet frequently spend time alone?
• How would you rate overall friendliness of your pet?
• Does your pet have noticeable anxieties?
• Are there any changes in eating or drinking?
• Does your pet enjoy playtime?

You know your pet better than anyone, so this regular dialogue about your pet’s health, behavior, and care can help you be the best pet parent you can possibly be and allows our team to properly treat them.

Vaccinations

By keeping your pet on a vaccine schedule, you ensure that they stay clear of preventative diseases that can cause them unnecessary pain and ailments. There are both core and non-core vaccines. Core vaccines are necessary for all pets, while non-core vaccines are recommended based on lifestyle.

Core Canine Vaccines:

• Rabies
• DHLPP

Non-Core Canine Vaccines:

• Lyme
• Canine Influenza
• Bordetella

Core Feline Vaccines:

• Rabies
• FVRCP

Non-Core Feline Vaccines:

• Feline Leukemia
• Chlamydia

These vaccines help your pet prevent and fight diseases that they may encounter unknowingly. Our team at Fairview Heights and O’Fallon animal hospital will go over all necessary vaccinations with you to make sure your pet stays healthy.

Parasite Control

Parasites can live in or on your pet and will take nutrients away from your pet and can transmit fatal diseases. Parasites can include fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites. Continuous parasite prevention and regular grooming is imperative for keeping these issues at bay. Parasites can exist in any environment, so it is something to be aware of no matter where you live.

The Most Common Parasites Are:

• Fleas: you can find fleas on both canines and felines. They can transmit diseases and cause itchy bites and be quite difficult to get rid of. A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day, so it is important to get control of fleas as soon as you notice them.
• Ticks: these are mainly found in grassy or wooded environments. They can transmit diseases like Lyme disease and can cause paralysis. Check your pet after spending time outside as they can bite anywhere on the body.
• Heartworms: these can be transmitted through bugs like mosquitos and grow to be very large in the internal organs. Symptoms of heartworms typically do not appear until the situation has gotten severe, so we recommend year-round prevention, so you never have to worry.
• Internal Parasites: this is a blank term for things like roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm, and more. Deworming medication and preventative care are the best way to deal with these.

Parasites can be scary, which is why we have all the tools to prevent and treat them. If you suspect a parasite issue, please give our team at Fairview Heights and O’Fallon Animal Clinic a call right away.

Microchipping

Unfortunately, pets can get lost. They might slip out of their leash on a walk or get out of the back door without you noticing. If your pet is microchipped, they have a much higher chance of getting reunited with you and your family.

We can implant microchips quickly and with minimal discomfort to your pet. The microchip is around the size of a grain of rice and is carefully placed between your pet’s shoulder blades. Once the chip is inserted, you will create an account and register the chip on HomeAgain, the national pet finding database. If they were to get lost, a veterinarian or shelter would scan the microchip and contact you using the information you put into the system. Then, you can quickly reunite with your pet as if nothing happened.

We strongly recommend microchipping for all pets, as accidents can happen to anyone.

Nutrition & Weight Management

Proper nutrition and adequate exercise are crucial to the long-term health of your pet. We always recommend feeding your pet a high-quality food that is designed for their size and breed. Using both proper portion sizes and a food that is nutrient dense will give them everything they need to grow healthy and strong.

We provide the following Nutrition and Weight Management services at Fairview Heights and O’Fallon animal hospital:

• General health and wellness advice
• Information on proper diets for your pet
• Advice on weight loss
• Guides on how to deal with allergies in pets

If your pet has a medical condition like diabetes, obesity, thyroid issues, IBS, cancer, or allergies, then we can recommend specific foods and diets to help with these issues.

It is now believed that over a third of all pets are considered to have a weight problem. Weight issues can lead to other health issues down the line, so proper nutrition and exercise are imperative. We are happy to guide you on healthy weight loss techniques for your pet, so they live a long and healthy life.