WELLNESS PROGRAMS

In recent years, veterinary medicine has continued to make great strides in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of an ever broadening range of illness and disease.  Our pets are enjoying significantly longer and higher quality lives, largely due to our increased ability to recognize and successfully treat these illnesses.

The key to early diagnosis is the annual comprehensive examination.  During this complete exam, the doctor will note normal and abnormal findings and recommend indicated tests and treatment.  This examination together with protection against contagious diseases is the cornerstone of successful veterinary wellness care. 

Click on the age class of your pet to access the appropriate wellness program.

Dogs:  Puppies   ****  Adults  ****  Seniors

Cats:  Kittens  ****  Adults   ****   Seniors

Puppy Wellness Program

    Desert Hills Animal Clinic adheres to the philosophy that prevention is the best medicine.  Regular vaccinations are recommended and Desert Hills Animal Clinic provides a core series of vaccinations that include distemper, parvo virus, corona virus, adenovirus type 2 and parainfluenza.  Vaccine protocols will vary depending on previous vaccines given, but a rule of thumb is 6, 9, 12, and 16 weeks.

     Dogs that are boarded groomed or are in contact with other dogs we recommend the Bordatella vaccine.  Vaccinations help keep our pets healthy and free of disease.  Desert Hills Animal Clinic recommends yearly vaccinations. 

     Heartworm is an organism transmitted by mosquitoes.  Many owners contest that there are no mosquitoes in this area due to the hot conditions.  This is a wrong assumption.  A study done in 2001 showed 303 cases of heartworm detected in Maricopa County and 442 cases throughout the state of Arizona.  There has also been increased numbers of horses with West Nile Virus in Arizona.  We need to protect our dogs from infection. 

     Desert Hills Animal Clinic offers multiple protections against  heartworm.  Heartgard is a once a month chewable tablet.  This products help prevent infection of heartworm by the mosquito.  Dogs need to be tested for heartworm prior to being put on the medication and should be checked yearly after medication is started.  

    Fleas are not a common problem in Arizona but can live here.  Ticks are a problem.  Ticks carry a disease known as Ehrlichiosis (tick fever).  No product is perfect against ticks but we recommend Frontline as a preventative measure. 

    Puppies can come to a new home with parasites.  Most commonly we see round worm, coccidia and giardia.  It is important to bring a fecal sample to your first visit to determine if your puppy has any parasites.  Fecals should be done yearly to monitor for intestinal parasitism.  Puppies should be given a health diet that is well balanced. 

    Desert Hills Animal Clinic recommends Royal Canin Development stage.  Please ask our staff how to keep your puppy healthy.  Pet insurance is available to clients who are interested. 

Adult Dog Wellness Program

     Adult stage of life is a continuation from the puppy stages.  Dogs age at different rates, the bigger the dog, the faster the dog ages.  Refer to the Senior Program for age comparisons to humans.  Dogs in this age group need to continue heartworm preventative and testing, checking for intestinal parasites, vaccinations and treatment for ticks. 

    Dogs need to be maintained on a good nutritional diet, we recommend Royal Canin Control formula.  The age to switch to the adult formula varies between breeds.  Call our staff with any of your questions. 

     Coccidiomycosis (valley fever) is a problem that is found in the Southwest.  There is no vaccine and prevention is the only method to avoid valley fever.  The organism is a fungus that lives in the ground.  Dust storms, heavy rains, construction and digging increase risks of valley fever.  Clinical signs in dogs most commonly involve limping and or coughing. Other signs include but are not limited to skin lesions, neurological problems including seizures, anorexia, etc.  If you suspect your dog has valley fever, please make an appointment with our staff.

Dentals

     Tarter and gingivitis can cause tooth decay, infection and pain.  Brushing your dogs teeth will slow the process of tarter build- up but will not stop it.  Dogs need a regular dental check-up and cleaning depending on the amount of tarter build-up in the mouth.  The teeth will be evaluated with every exam or annual visit.

     Adult dogs do not typically develop many problems and this age group is when they become bonded to our activities and become our irreplaceable companion.  Desert Hills Animal Clinics goal is to keep your companion happy and healthy to enjoy a long life.  Please call Desert Hills Animal Clinic for your regular appointments 623-581-1558.

Senior Dog Wellness Program

    Our mission is to provide quality care to our patients and knowledge to their owners to improve the quality of life of our pets.  Since your pet can not convey his or her discomfort or illness adequately, some subtle problems may go undetected.  We are offering senior and super senior diagnostic laboratory analysis to detect treatable medical problems.  Treatment of these problems may provide a healthier and longer life for your pet.  We recommend annual diagnostics for your senior or super senior pet to detect abnormalities before they become problems.  The chart below shows your pet's age in relation to human age.  

Human Equivalent Age Chart

                                                               Dog Weight in Pounds

           Your Dogs Approximate Equivalent Human Age __________

Questions:   The questions below help our doctor and staff determine if there are subtle problems that may be associated with disease. If any of these symptoms exist, your pet may be helped by visiting our office.

Routine Annual Exam Recommendations

Seniors:

Super Senior:  

     A dental cleaning and exam can be added to the senior or super senior program for an additional cost.  This generally does not include tooth extractions or antibiotics.  Please ask our staff about these programs. 

Kitten Wellness Program

    Desert Hills Animal Clinic adheres to the philosophy that prevention is the best medicine.  Regular vaccinations are recommended and Desert Hills Animal Clinic provides a core series of vaccinations that include feline herpes virus, feline calici virus, feline rhinotreachitis virus and feline panleukopenia virus.  Vaccine protocols will vary depending on previous vaccines given, but a rule of thumb is 6, 9, 12, and 16 weeks.  Feline leukemia vaccination is also available at 12 and 16 weeks and Rabies vaccination is recommended at 16 weeks.  Feline immunodifficiency virus vaccines are also available for cats that are at high risk.  Vaccinations help keep our pets healthy and free of disease.  Desert Hills Animal Clinic recommends yearly vaccinations.   

Fleas are not a common problem in Arizona but can live here.  Ticks are a problem. Ticks carry a disease known as Ehrlichiosis (tick fever).  No product is perfect against ticks but we recommend Frontline which will help protect your cat from fleas and ticks.  

Kittens can come to a new home with intestinal parasites.  Most commonly we see round worm, coccidia and giardia.  It is important to bring a fecal sample to your first visit to determine if your kitten has any of these parasites.  Fecal tests should be done yearly to monitor for intestinal parasitism. 

Kittens should be provided a well balanced, healthy diet to optimize growth and for disease prevention.   Desert Hills Animal Clinic recommends Royal Canin Development stage diet for your kitten.  Please ask our staff how to help keep your kitten healthy.  Pet insurance is available to clients who are interested. 

Adult Cat Wellness Program

     Adult stage of life is a continuation from the kitten stages.  Cats age at a different rate then dogs.  Refer to the Senior Program for age comparisons to humans.  Cats in this age group need to continue vaccinations, checking for intestinal parasites, and treatment for ticks. 

 Cats need to be maintained on a good nutritional diet, we recommend Royal Canin Control formula.  The age to switch to the adult formula varies between breeds.  Call our staff with any of your questions. 

     Coccidiomycosis (valley fever) is a problem that is found in the arid Southwest regions.  There is no vaccine and prevention is the only method to avoid valley fever.  The organism is a fungus that lives in the ground.  Dust storms, heavy rains, construction and digging increase risks of valley fever.  Clinical signs in cats most commonly involve limping and/or coughing. Other signs include but are not limited to skin lesions, neurological problems including seizures, anorexia, etc.  If you suspect your cat has valley fever, please make an appointment with our staff.

Dentals

     Tarter and gingivitis can cause tooth decay, infection and pain.  Brushing your cats teeth will slow the process of tarter build- up but will not stop it.  Cats need a regular dental check-up and cleaning depending on the amount of tarter build-up in the mouth.  The teeth will be evaluated with every exam or annual visit.

     Adult cats that are well cared for typically leady healthy lives and it this age group when they become bonded to our activities and become our irreplaceable companion.  Desert Hills Animal Clinics goal is to keep your companion happy and healthy to enjoy a long life.  Please call Desert Hills Animal Clinic for your regular appointments 623-581-1558.

Senior Cat Wellness Program

     Our mission is to provide quality care to our patients and knowledge to their owners to improve the quality of life of our pets.  Since your pet can not convey his or her discomfort or illness adequately, some subtle problems may go undetected.  We are offering senior and super senior diagnostic laboratory analysis to detect treatable medical problems.  Treatment of these problems may provide a healthier and longer life for your pet.  We recommend annual diagnostics for your senior or super senior pet to detect abnormalities before they become problems.  The chart below shows your pet's age in relation to human age.  

Human Equivalent Age Chart

        Your Cats Approximate Equivalent Human Age __________

Questions:   The questions below help our doctor and staff determine if there are subtle problems that may be associated with disease. If any of these symptoms exist, your pet may be helped by visiting our office.

Routine Annual Exam Recommendations

Senior Feline:          

Super Senior Feline:

     A dental cleaning and exam can be added to the senior and super senior program for an additional cost.  This generally does not include tooth extractions or antibiotics.  Please ask our staff about these programs.

Pet Food