Proactive Pet Wellness Plans: For a Lifetime of Health & Happiness

Ensure your beloved companion enjoys a long, vibrant, and healthy life with our comprehensive Pet Wellness Plans. At Paws & Claws Veterinary Hospital, we believe that proactive, preventative care is the cornerstone of your pet’s well-being. Regular veterinary check-ups and early detection of potential health issues are crucial for preventing illness and ensuring timely treatment.

Our affordable Wellness Plans are thoughtfully designed to provide essential preventative services and diagnostics at a discounted rate. By enrolling in a plan, you’re taking a significant step towards preventing common diseases and identifying medical conditions early, which can significantly improve their quality of life and extend their precious years with you. These plans make it easier and more cost-effective to follow our expert recommendations for your pet’s specific needs and life stage.

Ready to invest in your pet’s long-term health and happiness? Explore our tailored puppy, kitten, adult dog, and adult cat wellness plans below, or contact our friendly team today to discuss the best preventative care options for your furry family member.

We’re here to answer all your questions and help you choose the perfect plan.

Contact us today for pricing information!

Routine Wellness Services Explained

Vaccinations, parasite prevention, and regular screenings are the cornerstones of a comprehensive wellness plan. Below, we explain some of the essential preventative measures we recommend to protect your dogs and cats from common and potentially serious health threats.

For Your Canine Companion: Essential Dog Vaccinations & Care

Leptospirosis Vaccination: Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can affect dogs, as well as other animals and humans. It’s typically spread through contact with contaminated water (like puddles or ponds), soil, or the urine of infected animals, including wildlife like raccoons and rodents. In dogs, Leptospirosis can cause severe kidney and liver damage, and can be fatal. The vaccine helps protect your dog from common strains of the bacteria, reducing the risk of infection and severe illness. This is particularly important for dogs who spend time outdoors, swim in natural water sources, or live in areas with wildlife.

Rabies Vaccination: Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the brain and spinal cord of all mammals, including dogs and humans. It is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Transmission typically occurs through the bite of an infected animal, such as raccoons, bats, skunks, or foxes. Rabies vaccination is crucial for public health and is legally required. 

DHPP Vaccination (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvo): This core combination vaccine protects against four serious and potentially fatal viral diseases:

• Canine Distemper (D): A highly contagious virus affecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.
• Infectious Canine Hepatitis (H or A2): Caused by an adenovirus, it primarily affects the liver and can cause severe damage.
• Parainfluenza (P): A viral respiratory infection that is one of the common causes of kennel cough.
• Parvovirus (P): A highly contagious and often deadly virus, especially in puppies, causing severe vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. 

Bordetella Oral Vaccination (Kennel Cough): Bordetella bronchiseptica is a primary bacterial agent responsible for “kennel cough,” a highly contagious respiratory infection in dogs. It causes inflammation of the trachea and bronchi, leading to a characteristic harsh, hacking cough. While often not life-threatening on its own, it can be severe in puppies, older dogs, or those with underlying health conditions, and can sometimes lead to pneumonia. The oral Bordetella vaccine helps reduce the risk and severity of infection, especially for dogs who are frequently in social settings like dog parks, daycare, boarding kennels, or grooming facilities.

For Your Feline Friend: Essential Cat Vaccinations & Testing

FeLV/FIV/HW Test (Feline Leukemia Virus, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, and Heartworm Test): This important blood test screens for three significant diseases in cats:

• Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): A retrovirus that weakens the cat’s immune system, making them susceptible to other infections and cancers. It is a leading cause of death in cats and is spread through close contact (saliva, nasal secretions, urine, feces, milk) with infected cats.
• Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV): Similar to HIV in humans, FIV attacks the immune system, leaving cats vulnerable to secondary infections. It is primarily transmitted through deep bite wounds from an infected cat.
• Heartworm (HW): While less common in cats than dogs, heartworm infection can cause severe respiratory disease (Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease – HARD) and can be fatal. It is transmitted by mosquitoes. Testing is crucial, especially for new cats entering a household, cats that go outdoors, or those with unknown histories.

FVRCP Vaccination (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia): This core combination vaccine protects against three highly contagious and potentially severe viral diseases in cats:

• Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR): Caused by a herpesvirus, it’s a major cause of upper respiratory infections, leading to sneezing, eye discharge, and fever.
• Calicivirus (C): Another common cause of upper respiratory infections, which can also lead to oral ulcers and, in some strains, lameness or severe systemic disease.
• Panleukopenia (P) (Feline Distemper): A highly contagious and often fatal parvovirus that attacks rapidly dividing cells, primarily in the bone marrow and intestines, leading to severe vomiting, diarrhea, and a dangerously low white blood cell count. This vaccine is essential for all cats.

Rabies Vaccination: As with dogs, Rabies is a fatal viral disease affecting the nervous system and is transmissible to humans. Outdoor cats are at higher risk, but even indoor cats can be exposed (e.g., a bat getting into the house). Rabies vaccination is legally required for cats.

PureVax Leukemia (FeLV) Vaccination: For cats at risk of Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) infection, this vaccine can help prevent the disease. FeLV weakens the immune system and can lead to cancer or other serious illnesses. It’s spread through close contact, such as mutual grooming, sharing food/water bowls, or bite wounds. The vaccine is typically recommended for kittens (as their lifestyle and risk may change) and adult cats that go outdoors or live with FeLV-positive cats. Your veterinarian will assess your cat’s individual risk to determine if this vaccine is appropriate.

Essential Preventive Care for Both Dogs and Cats

Fecal Exam: A fecal examination involves testing a small sample of your pet’s stool for the presence of intestinal parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, giardia, and coccidia. Many of these parasites can cause gastrointestinal upset (diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss), anemia, and some are even transmissible to humans (zoonotic). Regular fecal exams, typically annually or semi-annually, are crucial for early detection and treatment, even if your pet appears healthy, as many infections don’t show obvious signs initially.

Heartworm Prevention: Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms (Dirofilaria immitis) that live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels of affected pets. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Flea & Tick Prevention Fleas and ticks are external parasites that can cause significant discomfort and serious health problems for your pets.

• Fleas: Cause intense itching, skin inflammation (flea allergy dermatitis), and can transmit tapeworms and other diseases. Heavy infestations can lead to anemia, especially in young or small pets.
• Ticks: Can transmit a variety of dangerous diseases, including Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Consistent use of effective flea and tick preventatives (available as topical treatments, oral medications, or collars) is essential for your pet’s comfort and to protect them from these vector-borne illnesses. 

Year-round prevention is often recommended, depending on your geographic location and your pet’s lifestyle.