CANINE HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN WEST LINN, OR
Wellness Care for Your Canine Companions
Canine Wellness care is the key to keeping your dog healthy. Bringing your dog to see one of our West Linn Canine veterinarians for regular wellness exams is the very best way you can assure a longer life and the highest quality of life for your dog. The wellness exam is an opportunity for you to discuss any concerns you have about your dog’s health with one of our dog veterinary professionals in West Linn. Topics ranging from nutrition, allergies, and bad breath, to mobility issues, risk of infections, and any lifestyle and age-related changes, are all important for your dog’s health, and our West Linn veterinarians’ expertise is at your disposal.
We are now offering a variety of wellness plans for our patients. We feel that this is an exciting new option for owners who would like to pay for care on a monthly basis.
All plans are tiered with the next level including everything in the plan below it, as well as additional veterinary services and discounts.
Adult Dog Wellness Plans
During your dog’s wellness exam, our veterinarians will:
- Obtain a medical history
- Check vitals and record your dog’s weight
- Perform a complete physical examination, discuss any findings, and make recommendations
- Perform a dental evaluation. Dental care is very important for your dog’s overall health, especially as he gets older. We visually examine your pet’s teeth and gums for plaque and tartar, tooth weakness, and decay. This screening often detects mouth pain and infections that can affect your pet’s heart, kidneys, and liver. Click here to read more about the dental care offered at Cascade Summit Animal Hospital.
Our Vaccine Philosophy
Vaccines have proven important in preventing serious disease in dogs and cats, but no vaccine is 100% effective or 100% free of side effects (such as allergic reaction, shock, autoimmune disease, and others). For these reasons, it is important to design a personalized vaccine protocol for each pet, maximizing protection against the diseases your pet is likely to be exposed to while using the fewest vaccines possible.
Our current vaccine recommendations are based on up-to-date research and the incidence of disease in our area. During your pet’s exam, we’ll ask you questions to assess your pet’s individual risk, based on his/her lifestyle, and then design a customized vaccine protocol. This can be modified as needed when that lifestyle changes, so be sure to let us know so we can keep your pet protected!
Informational Handouts
Parasite Prevention and Control
Parasites like fleas, ticks, and worms are more than a nuisance they can cause serious illness or even death in pets. Ticks spread Lyme disease, fleas transmit tapeworms and Bartonella (“cat-scratch fever”), and heartworms damage the lungs and heart. Intestinal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms can also affect humans.
Because many parasites are hard to detect, regular exams and testing are vital. Our team can check your pet for parasites and recommend safe, effective preventives for fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms. Protecting your pet also protects your family.
A complete and balanced diet is essential for your dog throughout their lifetime. As dogs age, their nutritional needs change. We can offer recommendations for the most nutritious foods for your pet according to your dog’s age, weight and current health.
Proper Nutrition is Important Throughout Your Dog’s Lifetime
Maintaining your dog’s ideal body weight can improve his or her life expectancy. A dog that is overweight or underweight may be experiencing an illness and may be more susceptible to disease and injury. If your pet is overweight, there are many things you can do to help him get back into shape. Speaking with us is the first place to start. For more information about nutrition and your dog, please see our nutrition and diet page.
Optional Add-On: Microchipping
We strongly recommend microchipping every pet. A microchip is your pet’s permanent ID and, in the event your pet is separated from you, it may be your only means of being reunited with him or her. For more information on Microchipping, please visit our Microchipping page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Canine Health Care
How often should my dog visit a veterinarian for a wellness exam?
We recommend annual visits for adults (1 -7 years) and semi-annual visits for seniors (8+ years). For puppies, senior dogs, or dogs with chronic health conditions, our West Linn veterinarians may recommend more frequent visits. Regular exams allow us to track age-related changes, evaluate dental health, and catch potential medical issues before they become serious.