Examinations

We strive to provide excellent care by offering well pet exams.  This provides us an opportunity to examine your pet at least once per year, in order to ensure that your pet stays healthy.  We share the most current information in veterinary care with you through your visits to our clinic, our website, and our newsletter.

Puppy/Kitten Consults (16 weeks-1 year)- All puppies and kittens are seen at monthly intervals.  These consults include a full examination and education on your growing pet.  The consults are done at the approximate ages of 8, 12, and 16 weeks and include vaccinations.  Puppies are given Distemper (DA2PP) at each visit and Rabies at the final visit.  Based on your puppy’s future lifestyle additional vaccines may be given, including Bordetella, Lyme, and Leptospirosis.  Each puppy is dewormed, and started on appropriate parasite prevention, again based on the individual pup’s lifestyle.  Kittens are given Distemper (FVRP) at each visit and Rabies at the final visit.  Again based on the lifestyle for your kitten a Feline Leukemia vaccine may be given, and parasite prevention will be discussed.

Wellness (1-6 years)- Wellness exams are recommended annually for healthy adult pets.  These exams are comprehensive to look for any medical problems that may be developing.  A full oral exam is performed to look at the pet’s dental health, and a dental cleaning may need to be scheduled.  Nutrition, parasite prevention, and vaccine options are discussed based on the pet’s lifestyle and recommendations are then made.   Laboratory tests that are a part of this visit include fecal testing for intestinal parasites, and wellness blood screening.

Seniors (pets 7 years and older)- Our senior pets have special needs as they age.  To address these needs we recommend performing twice yearly wellness exams.  This detects aging related problems early.  Annual blood screening reveals internal organ or metabolic changes early when treatment is more effective.  Treating dental disease continues to be very important in our older pets, so a full oral exam will be performed and a dental cleaning scheduled if needed.  Vaccines, nutrition, and parasite prevention will be discussed based on your pet’s individual lifestyle needs.

Behavior-Some pets develop behavior problems such as inappropriate elimination and separation anxiety.   Depending on the level of the behavioral problem an exam can be performed at the clinic or referred to a local veterinary behavior specialist.  Appropriate behavior modification can be recommended.  In some cases medication is also prescribed.

Acute Care/Urgent Care-  For an after hours emergency we refer to local emergency clinics for immediate care.  These clinics can be contacted by calling 952-447-4418, and then by following the voice instructions be connected directly to an emergency clinic.  For questions about an ongoing active case a RVVS doctor is available 24/7.