All Creatures Great & Small Veterinary Hospital

Preventive Care Exams

Preventive Veterinary Care

Preventive Care Exams

The best veterinary care is the care that prevents problems from happening in the first place. Our preventive care program keeps your pet protected year-round.

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What Is Preventive Veterinary Care?

Preventive care encompasses all the services designed to keep your pet healthy before illness or injury occurs. It includes routine physical exams, vaccinations, parasite prevention, dental care, nutritional counseling, and early screening for common diseases. A strong preventive care routine dramatically reduces the likelihood of costly emergency visits and extends your pet's healthy lifespan.

Core Components of Our Preventive Care Program

  • Annual or semi-annual wellness physical exams
  • Core and lifestyle-based vaccinations
  • Heartworm testing and year-round prevention
  • Flea, tick, and intestinal parasite prevention
  • Dental health exams and professional cleanings
  • Nutritional assessment and weight management
  • Microchip implantation for permanent ID
  • Baseline bloodwork and urinalysis
  • Behavioral and lifestyle counseling
  • Species-specific preventive protocols for exotic pets

Preventive Care for Exotic & Non-Traditional Pets

Dogs and cats aren't the only pets that benefit from preventive care. Rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, chinchillas, rats, hamsters, prairie dogs, reptiles, and birds all have species-specific preventive needs. Dr. Davis has specialized training in exotic animal medicine and can develop a tailored preventive care plan for any pet in your household.

The Cost of Prevention vs. Treatment

Preventive care is almost always less expensive than treating a disease that has been allowed to progress. A heartworm prevention medication costs a fraction of what heartworm treatment costs. A dental cleaning prevents tooth extractions and systemic infections. Early bloodwork catches kidney disease before it causes irreversible damage. Investing in prevention is one of the most financially sound decisions a pet owner can make.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a preventive care appointment and a sick visit?
A preventive care appointment is scheduled when your pet is healthy, with the goal of maintaining that health and catching problems early. A sick visit is scheduled when your pet is showing symptoms of illness or injury. Both are important, but preventive care is the foundation of long-term health. Note that preventive care appointments are sometimes technician-only visits — if your pet has had a wellness exam within the past year, you may be eligible for a technician-only preventive care appointment for services like vaccines and parasite prevention.
How often does my pet need preventive care?
Most healthy adult pets benefit from annual preventive care visits. Senior pets (7+ years) and exotic species often benefit from semi-annual visits. Puppies and kittens need more frequent visits during their first year for vaccine series completion.
Do exotic pets need preventive care too?
Yes, and it's especially important for them. Exotic species are masters at hiding illness — by the time symptoms appear, disease is often advanced. Annual or semi-annual exams, along with species-appropriate husbandry guidance, are the best tools we have for keeping exotic pets healthy.
What vaccines are considered 'core' for dogs, cats, ferrets, and rabbits?
Core vaccines for dogs include rabies, distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus (DHPP), and leptospirosis. Core vaccines for cats include rabies, herpesvirus, calicivirus, and panleukopenia (FVRCP). Lifestyle-based vaccines like Bordetella and feline leukemia are recommended based on your pet's risk factors. For ferrets, core vaccines include rabies and ferret distemper. For rabbits, Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) vaccination is strongly recommended.
Can I get all preventive care services done in one visit?
In many cases, yes. We can combine a physical exam, vaccinations, parasite prevention discussion, and other services in a single visit to minimize stress and maximize convenience. Dr. Davis will help you prioritize based on what's due and what's most important for your pet. Keep in mind that some vaccinations are administered as a series, requiring boosters at specific intervals — Dr. Davis will walk you through the schedule at the time of the initial dose.

Ready to book an appointment?

Our team at All Creatures Great & Small Veterinary Hospital in San Antonio is here to help. Call or text us today.

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