Preventative Care

At Broadmoor Animal Hospital, we offer professional and friendly veterinary care, treating every pet as part of our family. Trust us to provide top-notch care that keeps your pet happy and healthy.

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Preventive Care at Broadmoor Animal Hospital

At Broadmoor Animal Hospital in Shreveport, LA, we emphasize that preventive care is key to your pet’s long and healthy life. Regular wellness exams, timely vaccinations, and proactive health management are vital for maintaining their well-being. Our services cater to dogs, cats, and exotic species like rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, reptiles, and birds. By committing to preventive care, you ensure your pet enjoys a full and vibrant life.

The Importance of Wellness Exams

Routine Wellness Exams as the Foundation of Pet Health

Routine wellness exams are crucial for your pet’s health, providing a thorough evaluation of their physical condition and helping establish a health baseline. At Broadmoor Animal Hospital, these exams include checking vital signs, assessing organs, and discussing diet and behavior. Regular exams are key for early detection of issues and maintaining preventive care.

Early Detection of Potential Health Issues

Routine wellness exams are essential for early detection of health issues in pets. They help identify subtle changes, such as weight fluctuations or irregular heart rates, which may indicate serious conditions like diabetes or heart disease. Early detection allows for timely intervention, improving outcomes and reducing treatment costs. Regular exams, along with diagnostic tests, provide valuable insights into your pet’s health, helping maintain their well-being and ensuring a long, healthy life.

Frequency of Exams

Annual Exams for Healthy Adult Pets

Annual exams are important for maintaining your pet’s health, providing a thorough checkup to catch early signs of illness, update vaccinations, and review their diet and lifestyle.

Biannual Exams for Senior Pets or Those with Medical Conditions

Senior pets or those with health conditions need biannual exams to monitor and manage age-related issues like arthritis and heart disease, ensuring early detection and timely treatment.

Owner-Veterinarian Collaboration

Wellness exams offer a chance for owners and veterinarians to discuss any concerns, ensuring comprehensive, personalized care for the pet’s overall well-being.

Keeping Vaccinations Up to Date

A veterinarian administers a vaccine to a brown dog while a person in a plaid shirt holds the dog's head.

Role of Vaccinations in Preventive Care

Vaccinations are a key part of preventive care at Broadmoor Animal Hospital, crucial for protecting pets from serious diseases. Vaccines stimulate the immune system, helping pets build immunity and reducing the risk of infection. Regular vaccinations not only safeguard individual pets but also help prevent the spread of diseases within the pet community, including those transmissible to humans. This proactive approach ensures your pet leads a healthy life, minimizing the need for more extensive treatments later.

Protecting Pets from Serious, Life-Threatening Diseases

Vaccinations are vital for protecting pets from serious, potentially fatal diseases like rabies, distemper, and parvovirus in dogs, as well as feline distemper and respiratory viruses in cats. These vaccines are essential for preventing these highly contagious illnesses, which can spread rapidly among unvaccinated pets. Regular booster shots throughout your pet’s life help maintain their immunity, ensuring ongoing protection against these life-threatening diseases.

Types of Vaccinations

Annual exams are important for maintaining your pet’s health, providing a thorough checkup to catch early signs of illness, update vaccinations, and review their diet and lifestyle.

Core Vaccinations

These are essential vaccines that protect against the most common and severe diseases, such as rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and feline panleukopenia. Every pet should receive core vaccinations as part of their preventive care regimen.

Non-Core Vaccinations

Depending on your pet’s lifestyle and risk factors, we may recommend additional vaccines, such as those for bordetella (kennel cough), leptospirosis, or feline leukemia. These vaccines are tailored to your pet’s environment and exposure risks.

Tailored Vaccination Schedules

At Broadmoor Animal Hospital, we customize vaccination schedules based on your pet’s unique needs.

Species Considerations

Different species require specific vaccines, such as rabies for dogs, or rabbit hemorrhagic disease for rabbits.

Age Considerations

Puppies and kittens need a series of initial vaccines, followed by boosters; senior pets may require more frequent boosters.

Lifestyle Considerations

Pets with active lifestyles, like those frequently boarding or interacting with other animals, may need additional vaccines, such as for kennel cough.

Health Status Considerations

Pets with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems may need a cautious vaccination approach, balancing protection with their health condition.

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to safeguard your pet’s health. Keeping your pet’s vaccinations up to date not only protects them but also helps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases within the community.

Proactive Health Management

A brown and white puppy chews on a bone while resting on a gray cushion indoors.

Preventive Measures Beyond Vaccinations

At Broadmoor Animal Hospital, preventive care goes beyond vaccinations, focusing on comprehensive health management. This includes regular checkups, health monitoring, dietary management, and preventive treatments tailored to your pet’s needs. Proactive care addresses potential health risks early, helping to extend your pet’s life and improve their quality of life by preventing serious diseases and conditions.

Regular Health Monitoring and Checkups

Routine checkups are key to proactive health management, allowing for early detection of potential issues even in seemingly healthy pets. These visits involve a thorough physical exam, discussion of behavior and diet, and updating preventive care like vaccinations and parasite control. For senior pets or those with chronic conditions, more frequent checkups, including diagnostic tests, help monitor and manage age-related health concerns, ensuring your pet remains healthy and well.

Importance of a Balanced and Appropriate Diet

Proper nutrition is essential for your pet’s health. At Broadmoor Animal Hospital, we provide tailored dietary advice to meet your pet’s unique needs, helping to support their overall well-being, manage weight, and address specific health conditions.

Specific Preventive Services

Proactive health management involves a range of specific preventive services that address various aspects of your pet’s health. At Broadmoor Animal Hospital, we offer several key services designed to keep your pet healthy and happy:

Dietary Consultations

Nutrition plays a significant role in your pet’s overall health. During wellness exams, we can provide dietary advice tailored to your pet’s specific needs, whether they require a weight management plan, a specialized diet for a health condition, or guidance on feeding exotic species.

Parasite Prevention

Parasites such as fleas, ticks, and heartworms pose a significant threat to your pet’s health. We offer year-round parasite prevention strategies, including medications and lifestyle recommendations, to keep your pet safe from these dangers.

Age-Related Health Monitoring

As pets age, their health needs change. Our veterinarians are experienced in managing age-related conditions, from arthritis and mobility issues to cognitive decline and organ health. Regular monitoring allows us to address these concerns early and keep your senior pet comfortable and active.

Proactive health management is an ongoing process that requires commitment and collaboration between you and your veterinarian. By working together, we can help your pet avoid common health issues and enjoy a higher quality of life.

Caring for Exotic Pets

At Broadmoor Animal Hospital, we offer specialized preventive care for exotic pets like rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, reptiles, and birds, recognizing their unique health needs. Our experienced veterinarians provide tailored care, including wellness exams, proper nutrition, environmental management, and disease prevention to ensure these pets thrive. Each species has specific requirements, from diet and dental care to environmental conditions and social interaction, making regular health checks and proper care essential for their well-being.

Two ferrets with harnesses sit on grass in an outdoor setting, enjoying a preventative adventure designed to keep them safe while exploring the world.

Nutritional Guidance: Species-Specific Diet Plans

Proper nutrition is crucial for the health of exotic pets, as each species has specific dietary needs. At Broadmoor Animal Hospital, we offer species-specific dietary guidance to ensure your pet’s nutritional requirements are met.

Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

Need high-fiber diets with fresh hay and vegetables; guinea pigs also require Vitamin C.

Ferrets

As obligate carnivores, they require diets high in animal protein and fat.

Reptiles

Their diets vary by species, with herbivores needing vegetables and fruits, and carnivores needing whole prey.

Birds

Diets range from seeds to fresh fruits, vegetables, and specially formulated pellets, depending on the species.

Our veterinarians can help you choose the right food or prepare a balanced diet to prevent common health issues in exotic pets.

Environmental Advice: Creating Suitable Habitats

Creating a suitable habitat is essential for the health of exotic pets, as they rely heavily on their environment.

Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

Need spacious enclosures with safe bedding and enrichment items like tunnels and chew toys.

Reptiles

Need specific temperature, humidity, and lighting conditions tailored to their natural habitats, along with hiding spots and basking areas.

Ferrets

Require large, multi-level enclosures with hiding spots and tunnels, plus regular out-of-cage time for exercise.

Birds

Require large cages with perches, toys, and space to move, plus out-of-cage time and exposure to natural or full-spectrum light.

Our veterinarians can help you set up the ideal habitat to prevent stress-related health issues.

Routine Health Checks: Early Detection of Issues Specific to Exotics

Routine health checks are crucial for exotic pets, as they often hide illness until it’s severe. Regular exams allow for early detection of species-specific issues, which can be challenging to diagnose without specialized knowledge.

Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

Monitored for dental issues, respiratory infections, and digestive problems.

Reptiles

Assessed for metabolic bone disease, respiratory infections, and parasites.

Ferrets

Checked for conditions like adrenal disease, insulinoma, and heart disease.

Birds

Monitored for respiratory issues, feather plucking, and nutritional deficiencies.

These exams may include diagnostic tests to catch problems early, ensuring timely intervention and maintaining your pet’s quality of life.

A woman with long dark hair sits on a bench, smiling at a beagle dog with its front paws on the backrest. In this tranquil setting of blurred trees and water, she enjoys the moment, knowing it's a preventative measure for stress.

Keep your furry friend healthy | Book your preventative care appointment today!

Your pet’s health is our top priority. Preventive care is the best way to ensure they live a long, healthy life. Whether it’s time for a routine checkup, vaccinations, or if you have specific concerns about your pet’s health, our team is here to help. Contact Broadmoor Animal Hospital today at (318) 868-3585 to schedule a wellness exam or to learn more about our comprehensive preventive care services.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Preventative Care

We know pet care can come with a lot of questions, and we’re here to help. Below, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions we receive. Still have a question? Give us a call!

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What is preventative care for pets?

Preventive care involves regular wellness exams, vaccinations, and proactive management of your pet’s health to prevent illness and detect any issues early. It includes routine checkups, parasite prevention, and dietary consultations to keep your pet healthy.

How often should my pet have a wellness exam?

The frequency of wellness exams depends on your pet’s age, species, and health condition. Generally, we recommend annual exams for healthy adult pets and biannual exams for senior pets or those with medical conditions. Exotic pets may require more frequent visits depending on their species and health status.

Why are vaccinations important?

Vaccinations protect your pet from serious diseases, some of which can be life-threatening. Keeping vaccinations up to date is essential for your pet’s overall health and safety, as well as for preventing the spread of diseases to other pets and humans.

Do exotic pets need preventive care?

Yes, exotic pets such as rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, certain reptiles, and avian species require specialized preventive care to stay healthy. This includes regular exams, tailored diets, and appropriate environmental conditions. Our veterinarians are experienced in the care of exotic species and can provide the necessary guidance and treatment.

What should I bring to my pet’s preventive care appointment?

Please bring any previous medical records, a list of your pet’s current medications, and any questions or concerns you may have about their health. For exotic pets, it may also be helpful to provide details about their diet and living environment.