Every pet’s health needs are unique. Their current needs can vary based on a variety of factors such as age, gender, breed, lifestyle, current health condition, and more. As our pets age, their health and medical needs may change as well. For example, senior pets may be more susceptible to diabetes and other health conditions. Wellness plans are a great option to consider if you want to stay on top of your pet’s ongoing medical and healthcare needs.
Preventive Care Can Diagnose Issues Before They Become Severe
One of the biggest benefits of subscribing to a wellness plan is your veterinarian’s ability to diagnose and treat health conditions before they become severe. Preventative care is a holistic approach to diagnosing your pet’s current and future healthcare needs. Your vet will diagnose your pet’s overall health status and create a custom plan of preventative care including vaccines, nutrition, and more.
Additionally, regular check-ups can help diagnose any issues that your pet may not be showing you. For example, dogs will hide their pain and silently suffer. Although they may show some signs that they’re in pain, getting regular check-ups will allow the vet to diagnose the source of the issue.
What Services Do Wellness Plans Cover?
Wellness visits generally consist of a thorough evaluation of your pet’s age, breed, and medical history. The vet will likely ask you questions about how your pet is doing, if there have been any recent issues, what your pet is eating, and if they are able to go to the bathroom in a healthy way. The remainder of the wellness visit can be divided into the following parts:
- Diagnostic Testing: Sometimes health issues may not appear in a physical examination of the dog. Your vet will likely have to get samples of your pet’s feces, urine, and blood to check for parasites, heartworm, and other possible infections. Diagnostic testing will usually take a few days to get the results back.
- Vaccines: Your pet will need a variety of core vaccines over the course of their lifetime. Vaccines such as rabies, canine distemper, and parvovirus are examples of core vaccines that dogs need.
- Spay/Neuter: If you’re the proud owner of a young kitten or puppy, then chances are you will need to get them neutered or spayed. Your local veterinarian will be able to advise you on when to get these surgeries.
- Nutrition: Diet and nutrition are a critical component to your pet’s overall wellbeing. If your pet has food allergies or is missing core nutrients from their diet, then your vet will be able to advise you on a nutritious and thorough meal plan that covers your pet’s needs.
Wellness Plans Can Save You Money Over The Long-Term
Paying for preventative care and routine visits can save you quite a bit of money in the long-term and potentially prevent a pet emergency. For example, the cost of performing a heartworm test or taking regular flea and tick medication pales in comparison to a pet that needs treatment from a severe infection. Furthermore, one health issue can lead to a variety of other health issues and can quickly put your pet’s life at risk. Staying on top of your pet’s wellness by enrolling in a pet wellness plan can save you money and can save your pet’s life.
