The most affordable, effective medicine we practice is the medicine we use to stop problems before they start.
Yorktown Heights, NY • Dogs, Cats & Exotics • See our Google reviews
Pets age seven times faster than humans. A year between checkups is like seven years, and a lot changes in seven years. Most of the expensive, painful crises we treat in sick-visit appointments started quietly, months before the first symptom.
What Is Preventative Care?
Preventative care is the combination of regular wellness exams, core vaccines, routine parasite prevention, baseline bloodwork, nutrition counseling, and dental care that keeps healthy pets healthy. It’s the single most important thing you can do for your pet’s long-term health.
Why Is Preventative Care Important?
Early Detection, Easier Treatment: Kidney disease, diabetes, dental disease, heart murmurs, and early cancers are all easier to treat the sooner we find them.
Vaccinations Save Lives: Rabies, parvovirus, distemper, leptospirosis, and feline leukemia are prevented with routine vaccines, not treated after the fact.
Year-Round Parasite Prevention: Heartworm, fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites are active in our region every month now. Missing a dose creates real risk.
Cost Prevention: Preventive visits cost a fraction of what it takes to treat the disease we’d have caught with them.
What to Expect at a Preventative Care Visit
Before Your Visit
Keep a running list of food, treats, medications, and any changes you’ve noticed (weight, thirst, urination, appetite, activity, coughing). Bring prior vaccine or medical records if you’re new to us.
During the Appointment
Full Physical Exam: A nose-to-tail wellness check, including weight, body condition, dental assessment, and heart and lung sounds.
Updates: Core vaccines, parasite preventive refills, and any recommended bloodwork or fecal testing.
Plan: Personalized recommendations for diet, dental care, and next appointment timing.
Follow-Up and Aftercare
Reminders for upcoming vaccines, refills, and the next wellness visit. Results from any bloodwork or fecal testing within a day or two, with a clear plan for anything that comes back off.
How Often Should Your Pet Come In?
- Puppies & kittens: Every 3 to 4 weeks through about 4 months of age for the vaccine series, then a spay/neuter visit and a transition to an adult schedule.
- Adult pets: An annual wellness exam at minimum, with bloodwork starting around age 3 to 5.
- Senior pets: Every 6 months for exams and bloodwork. More in senior years catches more problems earlier.
Schedule Preventative Care in Yorktown Heights, NY
Heights Hospital for Animals provides comprehensive preventative care for dogs, cats, and exotic pets in Yorktown Heights, NY. The best time to schedule your pet’s next checkup is now.
