Preventative Care

In the old days, a veterinarian only treated “sick pets” and vaccinated healthy ones.  We have now found that preventative medicine is so much better at ensuring longer healthier lives.  

Preventative medicine includes:
  • Examining pets every 6-12 months depending on their age and current illness. Cats and Dogs bodies physically age 5-7 years for every 1 human year.
  • Performing annual fecal parasite checks and treating any parasite infections as needed. Remember some parasites can be transmitted to humans – more commonly children and immunocompromised adults.
  • Performing annual blood tests help ensure that your pet is healthy and help us to find diseases that may not yet be apparent. Annual blood testing helps us to see trends/changes in your pet’s health as they age, allowing us to hopefully catch disease early.  Some examples of things we monitor include checking to see if your pet is anemic, checking for adequate white cells to fight infection, measuring protein levels for adequate healing and immune response, testing kidney and liver functions, measuring sugar levels for diabetes, checking cholesterol and many more important values.
  • Checking urine samples for evidence of infection and kidney disease
  • Heart worm testing – VENTURA COUNTY IS NOW CONSIDERED A HEARTWORM AREA! Heartworm disease is deadly and is transmitted by mosquitos.  This disease can easily be prevented by giving your pet preventative medications.
  • Testing your pets Blood Pressure for hypertension (if you pet is a senior or has a disease at risk for causing hypertension).
  • Taking Xrays of your pet’s heart and lungs (if your pet is a senior or has heart or lung disease).
  • For senior pets we also recommend checking blood pressure levels.

Comprehensive Physical Exams

​In order for pets to survive, it is instinctual for them to be masters at hiding illness and disease. They also cannot talk and tell you exactly what is wrong. That is why it is extremely important to be very detailed when performing a physical exam and obtaining a history.

I am always amazed at how many times a pet comes in for a relatively minor issue, and we find other more serious conditions through our history taking, examination and diagnostic process. Catching serious medical conditions early provides the best chance at treating your pet effectively and often significantly reduces the costs involved.

A picture is worth 1000 words. At Yosemite Pet Hospital we document your pet’s visible medical issues using digital photography. This helps us assess your pet's response to treatment and make adjustments accordingly. We also can email these images to specialists when needed.
Before treatment
During treatment
After treatment
Picture
Before treatment
After treatment
Not all medical records are created equal. Keeping an accurate and detailed medical record is an important part of tracking your pets health and identifying when changes occur. 
Ask for a copy of your pet’s medical record from your existing Veterinarian to see if they are receiving the level of care they deserve.

Please see the additional links below for additional information we cover during your appointment. ​

Vaccinations

Some Vaccinations are required due to local and state laws, but we cater to your pet's lifestyle when recommending vaccines. One size does not fit all! 

Flea and Tick Prevention

Fleas and Ticks are not only uncomfortable for your pet, they can cause more issues than just a bite, including intestinal parasites and diseases. 

Microchips

It's something no owner wants to experience-a missing pet. Did you know there is a way to help your lost pet find it's way back home? Find out more about microchipping your pet! 

Heartworm Prevention

While most parasites are intestinal, Heartworms can cause major damage to the heart. Press the link below for more information.