Routine and preventative care are the cornerstones of your pet’s happiest, healthiest life. At Hayfield Animal Hospital, our goal with pet wellness care is simple: to catch health issues before they start. Regular wellness visits let us get to know your pet and what’s normal for them, establish a healthy baseline, and spot small changes before they become serious problems. Health issues often go unnoticed in pets — and by the time symptoms show, they can be harder and costlier to treat. So even when your companion seems perfectly healthy, those routine checkups matter.
Why Wellness Exams Are So Important
Pets age far faster than we do, and they’re remarkably good at hiding discomfort — cats especially. A wellness exam gives our veterinarians a complete picture of your pet’s health and a baseline to measure against year over year. For most pets, we recommend annual wellness exams; for senior pets, we recommend twice-yearly visits, since conditions can progress quickly as they age. As an AAHA-accredited, Fear Free, and Cat Friendly practice, we work to make every visit as calm and low-stress as possible for your pet.
What’s Included in a Pet Wellness Exam
Every pet is different, but a typical wellness exam at Hayfield includes a thorough head-to-tail evaluation:
- Ear and eye exam
- Dental and oral exam
- Skeletal and neurological evaluation
- Cardiovascular and internal health evaluation
- Reproductive and rectal exam
- Nutrition consultation
- Behavioral counseling
Preventative Care for Dogs and Cats
Comprehensive preventative care is one of the best ways to give your pet more good years by your side. Depending on your pet’s age, lifestyle, and needs, our veterinarians tailor a plan that may include:
Vaccinations — Staying current on core immunizations protects against common, serious diseases like distemper and rabies. Beyond core vaccines, we evaluate your pet’s age, lifestyle, and likely exposure before recommending any additional inoculations.
Dental care — Just like ours, your pet’s teeth need regular attention. We recommend annual dental cleanings and can show you simple brushing techniques at home to help prevent costly extractions down the road.
Parasite control — Preventing fleas, ticks, and worms is far easier and less expensive than treating an infestation. We offer a range of options for flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, plus regular parasite screening.
Proper nutrition — There’s a lot of conflicting advice out there about pet food. We’ll help you cut through the noise and find what’s genuinely best for your pet and your lifestyle.
Behavioral evaluation — Shifts in mood or behavior can be an early sign of an underlying medical issue. Catching them early helps us find and treat the root cause.
Skin and coat care — Good skin and coat hygiene helps prevent matting, mange, and bacterial infections, and keeps your pet comfortable.
Exercise — Regular activity supports musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health at every age, and boosts mental well-being too.
Adult Vaccines and Preventative Care
Not every patient needs the same annual care. The chart below shows the typical preventative care we recommend for adult dogs and cats — but the right plan always depends on your pet’s age, environment, and vaccine history, which we’ll talk through together.
| Canine | Feline |
|---|---|
| Annual Wellness Exam | Annual Wellness Exam |
| Heartworm Test | Intestinal Parasite Screen |
| Intestinal Parasite Screen | FVRCP Vaccine |
| Rabies Vaccine | Rabies Vaccine |
| DHPP Vaccine | Dependent on Environment |
| Leptospirosis Vaccine | Leukemia / FIV Test |
| Bordetella Vaccine | Leukemia Vaccine |
| Heartworm Prevention | Heartworm Prevention |
Vaccines are given on a one- or three-year basis depending on the vaccine and your pet’s needs. Our doctors will recommend what’s appropriate and walk you through your options.
Early Detection Screenings for Dogs and Cats
Catching problems early protects both your pet’s health and your wallet. As part of wellness care, we may recommend screenings such as:
- Complete blood cell count (CBC)
- Chemistry panel
- Urinalysis
- Heartworm check
- Fecal exam
Senior Pet Wellness
We love our senior patients, and we go the extra mile to keep them comfortable and thriving. With regular checkups and the right senior diet, we’ll give you everything you need to keep your older pet healthy and active.
Our Senior Wellness Care Package includes:
- Senior wellness examination (checking for joint pain and arthritis, vision changes, and signs of hearing loss)
- Complete bloodwork
- Thyroid hormone levels
- Full urinalysis
Every pet is one of a kind, and so is the care they receive at Hayfield. Our veterinarians build a wellness plan around your pet, your family, and your lifestyle. To schedule your pet’s wellness exam, call us at 703-971-2127 today.