Wellness Exams for Pets in North Kingstown, RI

Our wellness services are customized to each pet’s specific needs, taking into consideration the pet’s age, medical history, current condition, and exposure to environmental risks.

A standard physical exam is a nose-to-tail evaluation of your pet’s overall medical condition: joint and muscle function, weight and temperature, and the condition of skin and coat, mouth, nose, ears, eyes, abdomen, heart, and lungs. Each exam is customized for the individual pet, and our recommendations for optional blood tests, vaccinations, parasite prevention measures, medication, or other treatments are made on an individual basis.

The Village Veterinary Center recommends that all pets have a comprehensive wellness exam, as part of a preventive care regimen, at least once a year for adult pets and twice a year for seniors. We also recommend an annual fecal exam to check for intestinal parasites.

Ticks are among the many parasites that can cause disease in pets. They thrive in regions with high grass, so if your pet goes near brush or forested areas, it is recommended to check them regularly for ticks.

Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-borne diseases seen in our region. It spreads when a tick infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi bites an animal. The disease, which is transmitted approximately 36-48 hours after the tick has been attached, can cause a variety of health problems if not treated. Some of the initial symptoms include lameness, swollen joints, fever, weakness, and loss of appetite. If left untreated, some dogs can suffer more serious complications including severe kidney problems. To protect your dog from Lyme disease, along with tick-avoidance and surveillance strategies, we strongly recommend an annual Lyme vaccine as well as a monthly topical or oral flea and tick preventative.

If you find a tick on your pet, first, use a set of fine-tipped tweezers to remove it. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible, making sure to remove the biting head and other body parts. Then, thoroughly clean the area where the tick bit your pet and wash your hands with soap. Then, contact The Village Veterinary Center so we can determine if further action is necessary.

Cat and dog vaccines offer protection from debilitating and deadly diseases. Vaccination recommendations and schedules vary for each patient, but our core vaccination recommendations for most pets are as follows:

Cat Vaccinations:

• Rabies virus
• Panleukopenia virus (feline Distemper)
• Calicivirus
• Herpes virus (feline Rhinotracheitis)

Dog Vaccinations:

• Rabies virus
• Parvovirus
• Distemper virus
• Adenovirus (canine Hepatitis)

There are other vaccines available. The need for these additional vaccines depends on a pet’s exposure to environmental factors and can be determined by a veterinarian during the wellness exam.

Often, a pet may appear healthy on the outside, yet be afflicted with hidden health conditions that can be severe or fatal if not addressed. A simple blood test can detect serious illness in your pet, long before any symptoms are visible. The Village Veterinary Center routinely conducts blood tests to detect infection, inflammation, anemia, heartworm, diabetes, and other conditions. For senior pets, we recommend annual blood tests to check if the kidneys, liver, and other organ systems are functioning properly.