Veterinary Wellness Care
The Foundation of Your Pet's Health
At Yucca Veterinary Medical Center we know a healthy pet is a happy pet. That's why we use a personalized approach to high-quality pet wellness care based on your pet's age, breed and lifestyle. We recommend annual wellness examinations, because if a health problem or issue can be detected in its early stages, there is a far greater likelihood it can be resolved and treated with less difficulty, less expense, and greater success.
Annual wellness examinations for your pet at our animal hospital in Belen are also Dr. Sanchez's chance to assess your pet's overall health, discuss any changes with you, educate and update you on advancements in medical care, and for you to discuss any concerns or questions you have.
Your Pet's Health at Every Age and Stage
Your pet's wellness examination at Yucca Veterinary Medical Center includes our commitment to:
- Examine your pet's teeth, throat and oral cavity
- Check your pet's vision and examine the eyes
- Examine your pet's ears for infection, ear mites, allergic reaction and other related health issues
- Examine your pet's respiratory system
- Assess your pet's heart and evaluate cardiac function
- Test your pet's reflexes
- Palpate your pet's lymph nodes and abdomen
- Inspect your pet's skin
- Palpate your pet's joints and muscles for arthritis and other orthopedic conditions
- Test to evaluate the function of your pet's internal organs and other systems
- Assess changes in your pet's body weight, appetite, urination and bowel habits
- Inquire as to your pet's activity level
- Check your pet's skin for unusual growth developments
- Monitor your pet's blood count
- Utilize laboratory testing to detect early signs of Lyme or Heartworm disease
- Assess and evaluate general or specific changes in your pet's health since the last wellness visit
- Discuss preventive techniques with you
- Collect and examine fecal samples for signs of parasitic infestation
- Evaluate your pet for repetitive licking or biting in one area
- Assess your pet's hair/fur and check for matting
- Demonstrate how to administer at-home medication
- Answer your questions and concerns
Preventive Medicine Begins With You
At home, watch for subtle changes in your pet's body weight, appetite, water intake, urination and bowel habits, general attitude and activity level. Should your pet exhibit any changes or signs of potential illness, please don't wait. Call our office right away for an appointment.
Balanced Vaccinations
Vaccinations are the number one way you can protect your beloved pet from serious infectious diseases and bacteria. However, not every pet requires the same series or frequency of vaccines. Dr. Sanchez will assist you in deciding which preventive measures are necessary for your pet and tailor a vaccine protocol based on his or her breed, age, lifestyle and recommendations from the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Adult Dog and Puppy Vaccines
Puppy Vaccines: DHLPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus), Bordetella
Adult Dog Vaccines: DHLPP, Bordetella, Rabies
Adult Cat and Kitten Vaccines
Kitten Vaccines: Feloguard Plus 3, Feline Leukemia
Core Adult Cat Vaccines: Feloguard Plus 3, Feline Leukemia, Rabies
Your pet's vaccine schedule is balanced to provide needed protection while not over-vaccinating. Please contact us for more information about our customized vaccination protocols and why they are best for your pet.
Caring for Your New Puppy or Kitten
Bringing a puppy or kitten home is a very exciting time for you and your family. Dr. Sanchez and medical team at Yucca Veterinary Medical Center share your joy and are here to support you with individualized puppy and kitten wellness programs, vaccinations and home care guidance. We offer special puppy and kitten packages that include wellness examinations, vaccinations and tests for congenital diseases.
Your puppy's or kitten's first year of care at our animal hospital in Belen will include:
- Physical Examinations: Your puppy's or kitten's lifetime of wellness starts with a comprehensive nose-to-tail physical exam. Puppies and kittens should have 3-4 exams between the ages of 8-16 weeks. These longer visits are important because they provide your veterinarian with an opportunity to assess your pet's health and administer vaccines.
- Vaccinations: Due to their developing immune systems, puppies and kittens must receive a series of properly staged vaccines. Because every puppy and kitten is unique, we tailor our vaccination recommendations based on their lifestyle and/or breed and according to the suggested medical guidelines.
- Diagnostic Testing: Puppies should be tested for Heartworm and kittens tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline AIDS.
- Extended Discussion: Do you have questions about nutrition, training, vaccinations, spaying or neutering, grooming, or parasite protection? What about tips for introducing your new pet to other pets and family members? We take plenty of time during these visits to offer health care and training advice, and talk with you about any concerns you have.
Puppy and kitten visits are an excellent way to get your new pet started on the road to a happy and healthy life. Let's take these important first steps together. Please call today to schedule an appointment for your new pet!
Senior Pet Care
Taking a moment to learn more about the special needs of your senior pet is the first step toward providing the best care for your companion in his or her later years. Pets that are about seven years of age and older begin to go through a gradual reduction of their physical capabilities.
Preventive care exams tailored to your pet's age, lifestyle, risk factors and other elements can help prevent common diseases or detect them at early and easily treatable stages. There is also an important role for you to play as your pet's primary caregiver. You can influence your pet's activity level, living conditions, access to quality senior veterinary care, and daily nutrition. With our help, you can manage these factors to prolong your pet's good health, vitality, and increase his or her well-being, even as his or her pace slows a bit.
The best time to begin your pet's senior care program and recognize the need for a little extra TLC is before age-related conditions begin to occur. The veterinary staff at Yucca Veterinary Medical Center recommends regular senior wellness exams, which include blood work to detect early signs of disease, nutritional counseling and arthritic pain prevention. Dental care at this point in life also becomes even more important. We recommend regular dental exams and cleanings for all pets, but especially those in their senior years.
Parasite Prevention in Belen, NM
Fleas and Ticks
Fleas and ticks are more than a nuisance; they carry diseases dangerous to you and your pet.
Prevalent tick-borne diseases in Belen include Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis, which can be significant threats to you and your dog, especially during the warmer months of the year. Ticks and tick eggs live in the grass and weeds. Check and brush your dog after being outside, especially in grassy or brushy areas. If a tick is attached to your dog's skin, remove it carefully with tweezers and wash the affected bite area and your hands afterward.
Fleas are most abundant during the warm weather; however, if left untreated, they can be a problem year-round. In fact, flea infestation is one of the most common medical problems veterinarians see. Your pet can be allergic to fleas, and just one bite can result in a severely painful skin infection. Fleas can also transmit serious diseases such as bartonellosis (the bacteria that causes “cat scratch disease” in people), and parasites like tapeworms.
The best course of action to protect your pet and yourself from fleas, ticks and the potential of tick-borne disease is prevention. There are many safe, effective oral and topical flea and tick control products available at Yucca Veterinary Medical Center. Dr. Sanchez can help you choose the correct preventive regimen based on your pet's risk factors and health status.
Heartworm Disease
Heartworm disease is a serious, life-threatening disease transmitted by mosquitoes. It affects dogs and, to a lesser extent, cats. Today, Heartworm disease is found almost everywhere in the continental United States.
Clinical symptoms of Heartworm disease develop slowly. Early symptoms include lack of energy, exercise intolerance, coughing and difficulty breathing. Because Heartworm disease is increasing in frequency and is a serious and deadly condition, we recommend your dog be tested annually.
Fortunately, Heartworm disease prevention is simple and effective. If you would like to find out more information on how best to protect your pet from this dangerous parasite or if you'd like to have your pet tested for Heartworm disease, please call Yucca Veterinary Medical Center today for an appointment.
