2239 S. Lamar Blvd. Austin, TX 78704
Preventive Treatment to Keep Your Dog’s Tail Wagging
Austin, we have your dog's health covered through preventive care that keeps your dog first.
At Parker Animal Care, proactive, preventive care for dogs is essential to ensure your pet has a long, happy, and healthy life. Tailored to each dog's unique needs, our preventive care includes annual wellness check-ups, targeted parasite control, and personalized programs. We ensure a customized approach to health care that goes beyond simple checkups for your furry friend.
Complete wellness is not just about checkups and exams but also includes day-to-day decisions that can help your dog live a longer, healthier life. With our tailored nutritional consulting solutions for weight management, we are here to help you make decisions that keep your dog feeling great and active year-round.
We know life can be unpredictable, which is why we offer microchipping services to give you peace of mind. You can rest assured that if your dog is lost, they will be returned home safely. Microchipping is a one-time, simple process that ensures your dog’s safety wherever it goes.
Regular Evaluations
Our preventive care includes:
Wellness Exams
Our dog preventive care in Austin includes routine wellness exams as a key part of their well-being, allowing our veterinarians to spot early signs of health issues before they affect your dog. Detecting health issues early makes it easier to treat and often requires less invasive treatments, leading to better long-term health outcomes for your dog.
Every dog should be taken to the wellness clinic at least once a year, and older dogs, puppies, or those with existing health problems may need to visit more frequently to address their needs. You should take your dog for a wellness exam more regularly as they age, so that their changing health conditions can be monitored.
During the wellness check, we:
- Assess teeth and gum health for signs of dental disease, including plaque & tartar accumulation, inflamed gums, and tooth decay.
- Test the skin/coat and examine it for infections, dryness, or parasites like fleas or ticks.
- Test for lumps or bumps that may require further testing.
- Examine heart and lung conditions to ensure they are properly functioning and detect any irregularities.
- Evaluate if the abdomen, joints, and lymph nodes have any abnormalities to ensure overall well-being and comfort.
- Keeping the furry friends happy and relaxed with praise and treats.
Along with a physical exam, we recommend an annual fecal test as part of preventive care for dogs to detect internal parasites. Intestinal parasites can easily go unnoticed by pet owners, which can lead to digestive complications in your dog. Regular checkups should ensure your dog has good digestive health.
Sick Visits
If you notice symptoms of disease, including changes in behavior, sleep, or eating habits, or signs of pain in your dog, book a sick visit as soon as possible. Dogs tend to be silent when they are ill, and by the time we notice, the condition is already severe. Take immediate action. Treatment and early diagnosis can prevent more serious problems, helping with a swift recovery.
Sick visits start with an in-depth physical examination and also discuss with you about what you have noticed with your dog’s health conditions. Since your pet can't talk, you need to understand unusual symptoms and trust your instincts to bring your pet in for a checkup immediately.
To find out the causes of the problem, we can propose routine diagnostic tests, including:
- Blood tests to monitor organ function and detect possible hidden infections.
- Fecal screening to check for digestive discomfort-causing parasites.
- Diagnosing underlying diseases that are difficult to detect through basic physical exams may necessitate X-rays or ultrasounds.
Our diagnostic and treatment care is thorough, and we will tell you what is causing your dog's illness and offer the proper remedy, which could be an antibiotic, analgesics, or even a complex treatment. We work to ensure your dog's well-being.
Vaccinations
Getting a quick vaccination shot today will save your dog’s life from life-threatening illnesses in the future. Vaccinations train your dog's immune system to recognize and fight harmful viruses. After receiving the vaccine, your dog will be protected from diseases they may get exposed to in their environment.
Parker Animal Care will assist you in choosing the correct vaccinations based on your dog’s needs, environment, and lifestyle. For instance, dogs that frequent dog parks or boarding kennels may need additional vaccines, while other pups living in rural regions may need different shots depending on the disease risks common in that region.
Core Vaccines for Dogs
The core vaccines that we recommend for all dogs:
- DHPP ( Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza ) - Protects against some of the most prevalent and lethal dog infections.
- Rabies (Mandatory by law on every dog) - Vital for dogs and society in general to protect against this fatal illness.
These vaccinations protect against severe and potentially long-lasting illnesses and are a fundamental part of your dog's healthcare plan, requiring regular administration.
Non-Core Vaccines for Dogs
Other non-core vaccinations that may be suggested for your dog, depending on their lifestyle, are:
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough): This is especially significant for dogs kept in kennels or sent to doggy daycare, as these environments are more prone to infection.
- Canine Influenza: A type of flu that has the potential to spread fast in places where many dogs are located, such as dog parks, grooming salons, and boarding facilities.
- Leptospirosis: This bacterial infection can affect dogs and humans and is usually transmitted through contact with contaminated water or soil.
Parasite Control
Parasites threaten your dog's health, including fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms, which can cause discomfort and potentially serious medical problems. Other parasites, such as heartworms, can even be fatal if left untreated. Parker Animal Care offers parasite control plans to help ensure your dog is not exposed to parasites.
Fleas
Fleas are tiny insects that irritate, cause discomfort, and cause itching. Fleas may also cause anemia, as they suck blood from your pet, resulting in skin infections when your dog scratches too much. Fleas multiply rapidly, making treatment necessary to prevent the spread of an infestation.
Ticks
Ticks are commonly known to transmit Lyme disease and other severe infections. Ticks are common in Austin's humid climate, particularly in the woods and grasslands. To prevent ticks, inspect your dog after outdoor activities or walks to ensurethey are not carrying any ticks.
Heartworms
Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes, commonly in warm areas like Austin. They can cause serious harm to the heart, lungs, and other organs, as the Infection is usually silent. Preventing heartworms requires regular medication with monthly medication, as if it’s left untreated, heartworms may be deadly.
Intestinal Parasites
Roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms are intestinal worms that may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. Puppies are highly vulnerable to these parasites, which are either passed on from their mother or from infected surroundings. Deworming and fecal testing should be conducted regularly to prevent these parasites from harming your dog's health.
Microchips
It is always essential to have an ID tag on your dog, but what will you do when you lose the collar? Microchips help solve this issue, as they are permanent identification tags that cannot be tampered with.
A microchip is tiny and is implanted directly under your dog's skin, usually between the shoulder blades. After it is implanted, it will remain there forever, enabling shelters and veterinarians to scan the chip and locate your pet if they are lost or stolen. This easy process may give you peace of mind and ensure your dog has a permanent form of identification.
Do not forget to update your contact details in the microchip registry if you change your place of residence or switch phone numbers.
Nutrition & Weight Management
Proper nutrition is essential for keeping your dog healthy. At Parker Animal Care, we provide advice on the type of food your dog should eat, depending on age, size, breed, and activity level. Whether you have a puppy or a senior dog, we will guide you through choosing the right food for their needs.
Besides healthy food, you also need to focus on weight management to maintain your dog's health, as overweight dogs become more vulnerable to conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. Our team will help you develop a customized weight management plan that covers portion control, exercise suggestions, and suitable food selections.
Healthy Weight Management Tips:
- Feed quality food: Feed on high-quality food and avoid fillers and low-quality food that doesn't offer the nutrition that your dog requires.
- Measure portions: prevent overfeeding your dog, and measure the amount of food consumed.
- Regular exercise: Walks, hikes, and fetching are just some of the activities that can maintain a healthy weight for your dog.
- Limit the number of treats: Treats should be given in moderation and accounted for in the dog's daily calorie intake.
By offering a comprehensive preventive care program tailored to your dog's needs, Parker Animal Care can help keep your dog healthy, happy, and active. Wellness check-ups, vaccinations, parasite prevention, microchipping, and nutritional counseling are all essential for preventive care for dogs.
Schedule Your Preventive Care for Your Dog Today!
Does your dog need an annual examination? The Parker Animal Care team offers you high-quality, personalized dog preventive care in Austin. Call us now to make an appointment for our wellness checkup and begin your dog’s journey to a healthy life.
