Vaccinations are the single most effective tool for protecting your pet against serious, preventable disease. For dogs, core vaccines include distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus (DHPP), and rabies. Lifestyle vaccines such as Bordetella (kennel cough), Leptospirosis, and Lyme disease are recommended based on your dog's outdoor activity, boarding or daycare use, and travel. For cats, core vaccines include feline herpesvirus, calicivirus, and panleukopenia (FVRCP) along with rabies, and Feline Leukemia (FeLV) for cats with any outdoor exposure. We follow current vaccination guidelines and build a schedule that fits your pet's actual risk, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Annual or semi-annual wellness exams give our veterinarians the opportunity to assess your pet from nose to tail, catch early signs of illness, and update their care plan. During a wellness visit we evaluate weight and body condition, listen to heart and lung sounds, check eyes, ears, teeth, and gums, assess joint health and mobility, and review parasite prevention and vaccination needs. For senior pets, we recommend twice-yearly exams because age-related changes can progress quickly. Early detection consistently leads to better outcomes and simpler management.
The Okanagan Valley has active flea, tick, and mosquito populations that put dogs and cats at risk year-round or throughout the warm season. Ticks in the Penticton area can carry Lyme disease, and fleas are the primary cause of tapeworm infections in cats. Heartworm, spread by mosquitoes, is a concern for pets that travel to endemic regions. We stock veterinarian-recommended preventive products appropriate for your pet's age, weight, and lifestyle, and we can help you choose a year-round or seasonal plan. Consistent prevention is far simpler and less costly than managing an active infestation or infection.
A microchip is the most reliable form of permanent identification for your pet. Each chip is about the size of a grain of rice and is placed under the skin between the shoulder blades using a needle, making the procedure quick and comparable to a routine injection. The chip contains a unique ID number that links to your contact information in a national registry. If your pet is ever lost and brought to a clinic or shelter with a scanner, you will be located quickly. We recommend microchipping at any wellness visit or during spay and neuter surgery. Registering your contact information after implantation is essential.
Intestinal parasites including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms are common in dogs and cats of all ages. Puppies and kittens are especially vulnerable and are often born with roundworms passed from their mother. We recommend deworming every two weeks until 12 weeks of age, monthly until six months, and then at least annually for adult pets. Pets that spend time outdoors, hunt, or visit dog parks may benefit from more frequent testing and preventive deworming. Some intestinal parasites can infect people, particularly children, making regular deworming part of household health.
"Tap the Button to Get in Touch!"
