Preventative Veterinary Medicine

Thorough physical examinations are a vital part of any wellness program.  On average, pets age 7 years to our one, so to keep on top of things, we recommend you bring your pet for a full exam once a year. Seeing your pet annually for a complete head-to-toe exam helps us to detect problems early when treatment for many conditions would be most effective.

Because pets are usually very good at hiding their pain, we're often able to detect many medical conditions that you were unaware of during the annual exam. Early detection, recognition, and timely treatment can be the key to a long, healthy life.

Vaccinations are tailored to your pet's needs and risks of exposure. In recent years there has been much research and debate within the veterinary profession regarding appropriate wellness care and vaccination protocols.

全面的身體檢查是任何健康照護計畫中不可或缺的一部分。一般來說，寵物的七歲大約相當於人的一個中年，因此為了掌握寵物的健康狀況，我們建議每年帶寵物進行一次完整的體檢。每年一次的由頭到腳的全面檢查，有助於我們及早發現健康問題，在許多情況下，早期治療是最有效的。

由於寵物通常很會隱藏疼痛，我們往往能在年度檢查中發現您之前未察覺的疾病。早期發現、及時認知與治療，往往是確保寵物長壽健康的關鍵。

疫苗接種會根據您的寵物需求及暴露風險量身訂做。近年來，獸醫專業領域對於適當的健康照護與疫苗施打方案有許多研究與討論。在 Unionville South Pet Hospital，我們仍然認為疫苗接種對保護寵物免於傳染病至關重要。並非所有疫苗都需要每年施打，有些可能每三年施打一次即可。我們會根據您的寵物暴露風險及最新研究結果，建議適合的疫苗施打方案。一般成年犬，Bordetella 與鈴蟲病（Leptospirosis）建議每 12 個月施打一次，犬瘟熱/犬細小病毒（Distemper/Parvo）則每三年施打一次。貓咪部分疫苗則有些需每年施打，有些每三年施打一次，為減少對免疫系統的壓力，這些疫苗可分開施打。

At Unionville South Pet Hospital we believe that vaccinations are still absolutely critical to protect your pet against contagious diseases. Not all vaccinations should not be given yearly and some may be needed only every three years. We'll recommend a vaccination protocol for your pet based on their exposure risk and according to the latest research available. Most adult dogs should be vaccinated every 12 months for Bordetella and Leptospirosis, and once every three years for Distemper/Parvo. Cats require some vaccinations yearly and others every three years, and those vaccinations may be split and given separately in order to decrease stress on the immune system.

Parasite prevention is an important health care concern not only for your pet but for your family as well. Each year the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) reports many cases of parasitic diseases which are spread from pets to people. Most of these diseases can easily be prevented with routine veterinary care.  

在 Unionville South Pet Hospital，我們認為疫苗接種仍然是保護您的寵物免於傳染性疾病的關鍵措施。並非所有疫苗都需要每年施打，有些疫苗可能只需每三年接種一次。我們會根據寵物的暴露風險以及最新的研究結果，為您的寵物制定最合適的疫苗接種計畫。

大多數成犬通常需要每 12 個月接種一次犬舍咳（Bordetella）和鉤端螺旋體（Leptospirosis）疫苗，而犬瘟熱／犬小病毒（Distemper/Parvo）則通常每三年接種一次。貓咪方面，有些疫苗需每年施打，有些則每三年一次，且有時會分開施打，以減輕免疫系統的負擔。

寄生蟲預防不僅對寵物的健康至關重要，對整個家庭也同樣重要。每年，美國疾病管制與預防中心（CDC）都會報告多起由寵物傳染給人類的寄生蟲疾病案例。而這些疾病大多可以透過定期的獸醫護理輕鬆預防。

We recommend puppies and kittens receive a series of fecal tests and dewormings and adult companion animals should have a health assessment and fecal test every year.

In our area, dogs and cats also face a significant risk of heartworm infections. We recommend that dogs be tested annually and that both dogs and cats take a year-round preventative once a month to prevent these deadly parasites.

我們建議幼犬與幼貓接受一系列的糞便檢查與驅蟲處理，而成年的伴侶動物則應每年進行一次健康評估與糞便檢查。在我們的地區，犬貓也面臨相當高的心絲蟲感染風險。我們建議狗狗每年接受心絲蟲檢測，並且犬貓都應每月全年持續使用預防藥物，以防止這些致命寄生蟲的感染。

Wellness blood work (annual health screen) should be performed on all pets older than 6 years of age. A complete profile and urinalysis to look for diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid disease, and anemia may be recommended for senior or ill pets. These types of diseases cannot be detected during a physical exam alone and early intervention can significantly affect your pet's response to treatment. 

對於 6 歲以上的寵物，應進行健康血液檢查（年度健康篩檢）。對於年長或生病的寵物，可能建議進一步進行完整的血液檢查與尿液分析，以檢測如糖尿病、腎臟疾病、甲狀腺疾病及貧血等問題。這類疾病無法僅透過一般身體檢查發現，而及早介入治療，能大幅提升寵物對治療的反應與效果。

Additional resources

Physical Exam Checklist for Pets: First Aid