A Longer, Happier Life

Starts with routine wellness care.

Wellness Care

At Northwood Animal Hospital, we embark on a comprehensive medical journey to ensure your furry companions thrive. Our mission is to safeguard the health of both your pets and your family, using a tailored preventative medicine program based on the lifestyle and environmental exposures of your pets.

Here are the cornerstones of our approach:

Parasite Protection

We advocate for a monthly parasite prevention regimen for all susceptible species – dogs, cats, and even some exotic pets. Our goal is to shield them from heartworms, intestinal parasites, fleas, and ticks, as some of these can be transmitted to humans. Our team is ready to craft a tailored prevention plan for your beloved pets.

Regular Check-Ups

Just as one year for a dog equates to 5 – 7 years for a human, routine exams are crucial. Physical exams and fecal checks every 6 months help us detect diseases early or identify conditions that could predispose your pet to illness, such as obesity. Outdoor cats should undergo annual Feline Leukemia and FIV screening through a blood test.

Heartworm Vigilance

Due to the prevalence of heartworm disease, we strongly advise annual testing for dogs, even if they are on regular prevention. Intestinal parasite screening twice a year is also recommended for dogs.

Senior Pet Wellness

For dogs and cats aged 7 years and above, we recommend wellness screening. In addition to standard tests like heartworm checks and fecal flotation, senior pets benefit from comprehensive health panels tailored to their specific needs. We use these panels to identify organ dysfunction and other serious medical conditions that our senior pets are prone to even before they show outward signs. The earlier that these conditions can be found, the better the chances are that there are treatment or management options.

Puppy and Kitten Protection

Our preventative program for puppies and kittens focuses on protecting them from parasites and infectious conditions. We recommend a check-up shortly after bringing your new pet home, followed by a repeating vaccination schedule starting at 6 – 8 weeks of age with booster vaccines every 2 – 4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. Deworming and preventative programs are also initiated at this stage.

Castration and Spaying

Unless intended for breeding purposes, we recommend castration or spaying for dogs, cats, rats, and rabbits. Typically performed between 4 and 6 months of age, this surgery helps prevent behavioral issues, certain cancers, and other life-threatening conditions.

Tailored Vaccination

Our vaccination protocols are tailored to your pet’s lifestyle. We consider factors like living environment and potential exposure to diseases, customizing the vaccine plan accordingly. Core vaccines are recommended for all pets, with additional non-core vaccines for those at risk.

Addressing a Range of Issues

Over the years, our knowledgeable doctors have successfully treated a myriad of behavioral problems, including:

Inappropriate Elimination in Cats: Solving litter box woes.
Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Easing distress when you’re apart.
Aggression Problems: Fostering a safer, more peaceful environment for both dogs and cats.

A Journey, Not a Sprint

Behavioral medicine isn’t a quick fix—it’s a journey that you take with the help of your veterinarian. Resolving these challenges takes time, commitment, and collaboration. Many behavior issues are akin to chronic medical conditions, requiring ongoing care and support.