Back to School: The Perfect Time for a Pet Health Check

As families get back into the school-year routine, it’s also an excellent time to think about your pet’s health. While “back to school” often means fresh starts, new schedules, and getting organized, it can also serve as a reminder to make sure our pets are up to date on their preventive care. Just like children need annual checkups before heading into a new school year, our pets benefit from regular veterinary visits to help them stay healthy and active. North Vancouver Vet

Annual Wellness Exams

Routine wellness exams are one of the most important ways we can support your pet’s long-term health. During these visits, we check everything from weight and body condition to eyes, ears, skin, joints, and heart health. Early detection of changes or concerns allows us to address them before they become more serious.

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Vaccinations and Preventive Care

Back-to-school season is a good time to review whether your pet’s vaccines are current. Core vaccines protect against contagious and potentially life-threatening diseases. For dogs, these include distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis. For cats, they include panleukopenia, calicivirus, and herpesvirus. Rabies vaccination is also an essential core protection for both species.

In addition to vaccines, parasite prevention is an important part of year-round care. Fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites can remain active well into the fall, so maintaining consistent protection is strongly recommended.

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Dental Health

Good oral health contributes significantly to overall well-being. Dental disease is very common in both dogs and cats, and it can lead to discomfort, infection, or even systemic illness. An oral exam during your pet’s wellness visit will help determine if a professional dental cleaning or adjustments to at-home care are needed.

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Baseline Testing

For many pets, particularly those entering their senior years, annual bloodwork and urine testing provide valuable insight into internal organ function. These baseline results can help us catch early changes before they cause obvious illness, making treatment more effective and less invasive.

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Building Healthy Routines

Just as children benefit from regular schedules during the school year, pets thrive on consistency. Maintaining set times for feeding, exercise, and enrichment helps reduce stress and keeps them in optimal condition. We are always happy to provide recommendations tailored to your pet’s age, breed, and lifestyle.

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A Fresh Start for the Season

The back-to-school transition is the perfect reminder to check in on your pet’s overall health. By scheduling a comprehensive wellness exam and ensuring all preventive measures are up to date, you can help your companion enjoy a healthy, happy year ahead.

If it’s been a while since your pet’s last checkup, contact us at Lonsdale Place Veterinary Clinic to book an appointment. We look forward to helping your pet stay well this season and beyond. North Vancouver Vet