Veterinary Wellness Care
Pet Wellness Exams
When it comes to keeping your pet healthy, prevention is key. We encourage preventive health care for your dog, cat or exotic pet through regular physical examinations, bloodwork, vaccinations, parasite control and proper nutrition. Routine pet wellness exams are the cornerstone of this plan. Exams are useful in spotting signs of disease and health problems before they become more difficult - and more expensive - to treat. During examinations, we evaluate your pet based on age, breed and lifestyle. Using this information, we develop a wellness profile for your pet, taking into consideration the risk of potential diseases and conditions. We then design a preventive health care and vaccination plan that is specifically tailored for your pet.
Your Pet's Exam
During every physical examination, we perform a "nose to tail" evaluation. We listen to the heart and lungs, evaluate vision and hearing, examine the teeth and oral cavity, palpate the abdomen and examine the joints and muscles for signs of swelling and arthritis. We also ask you about your pet’s behavior at home, diet and nutrition and lifestyle. This helps us develop a complete picture of your pet’s health and aids in future diagnosis and treatment.
We allow ample time during examinations for clients to ask questions and we enjoy educating owners in all aspects of pet care. We strive to develop close relationships with our clients and encourage you to call us with any concerns or questions.
Veterinary Internal Medicine
The Animal Medical & Surgical Center is a full-service veterinary hospital. We cover all areas of internal medicine for pets, including, but not limited to:
- Cardiology
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Dermatology
- Gastroenterology
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Endocrinology
Total Health Recommendations
At the Animal Medical & Surgical Center in Canton, GA, we have developed a series of "Total Health Recommendations" for your pet. These guidelines are designed to help pet owners develop a preventive health care plan for their pets. Whether your newest family member is a puppy or kitten or an older cat or dog, our "Total Health Recommendations" will get your pet’s health care started off on the right paw. Our "Total Health Recommendations" for your pet are available by clicking here.
Pet Vaccinations
Many diseases once fatal to pets can now be prevented through the use of vaccines. The Animal Medical & Surgical Center of Cherokee County, Georgia recommends a three-year schedule for most vaccines; three-year vaccines require fewer injections and decrease the chances of an adverse reaction. We find these vaccines to be a better value over the years for clients. However, we do offer yearly vaccinations and allow you to choose a plan that best fits your pet. Whichever vaccination plan you choose, we believe it is important your pet undergo a wellness exam as part of his or her preventive health care.
For dogs: We recommend three-year vaccinations for distemper, adenovirus, hepatitis, parvo and rabies. We administer one-year leptospirosis vaccinations and bordetella vaccinations every six months. Vaccinations for Lyme disease is situational and will be administered to pets living in or traveling to an area with a high possibility of tick exposure.
For cats: We recommend three-year vaccinations for feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia, as well as rabies. Vaccinations for feline leukemia are administered yearly.
Pet Emergency Care
We are fully equipped to treat any emergency during regular hospital hours. However, to provide your pet with emergency care during the night and on weekends that allows for continuous monitoring by trained emergency personnel, we recommend the Cherokee Emergency Veterinary Clinic:
Cherokee Emergency Veterinary Clinic
7800 Highway 92
Woodstock, GA 30189
770-924-3720
Click here for directions to the Cherokee Emergency Veterinary Clinic
Pet Microchipping
Microchipping is one of the most effective ways to ensure a safe return home should your pet become lost. A microchip is about the size and shape of a grain of rice. It is implanted underneath your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades in a process similar to a vaccination. Each microchip contains uniquely coded information about your pet that corresponds to a national pet database. Veterinary hospitals and animal shelters across the country are equipped with special scanners capable of reading microchips; if your pet is lost, he or she will be scanned for a microchip and the information contained on the chip will be used to reunite you and your pet. Click here for more information about microchipping your pet. The Animal Medical & Surgical Center uses the HomeAgain microchip system.
Advanced Parasite Control
Intestinal Parasites - Preventing parasites not only keeps your pet healthy - it also keeps you and your family safe. Some common pet parasites can also affect humans, making prevention a key part of any pet health care plan. Children can especially be at risk from roundworms and hookworms, which are commonly found in Georgia. We recommend intestinal parasite examinations every 6 months.
Heartworms - Spread by the bite of a mosquito, heartworms are another dangerous parasite that can affect your pet - both dogs and cats. There is a 90% chance your pet will contract these parasites if not on a heartworm preventive. We do yearly heartworm testing and recommend monthly heartworm prevention all year long.
External Parasites - Recent advances in veterinary technology have made flea and tick products available that are much safer and more effective than conventional methods. The "old days" of using flea collars, flea sprays and flea dips are considered outdated. The new products can be tailored to fit your pet's needs. Please consult with our doctor to find out which is best for your pet.
Prescription Diets and High-Quality Pet Food
Eating well translates into good health for your pet. The Animal Medical and Surgical Center offers our clients the Hill’s line of prescription diets, formulated for a wide variety of health concerns. We also stock premium maintenance diets that are American-made and organic. For our feathered friends, we carry Harrison's Bird Diet, a highly-recommended pelletized food. Our knowledgeable, caring staff can answer any questions you may have about your pet’s diet and nutrition.
Pharmacy and Pet Medications
The Animal Medical and Surgical Center maintains a fully-stocked pharmacy for your pet's needs. Heartworm and flea control products are available through our pharmacy. We offer a variety of antibiotics, pain control medications, and medications for chronic conditions, as well as some nutraceuticals. Your pet's prescription is often ready by the time his or her appointment is over. Our staff is available to answer any questions you may have about your pet's medication.
Pet Counseling
Whether you're an experienced pet owner or are welcoming a new companion into your home for the first time, we can help. The staff at the Animal Medical and Surgical Center provides a range of counseling services, from pre-purchase counseling for new pet owners to behavior counseling for pets with behavioral problems. We also provide grief counseling for owners who have lost a faithful companion.