Comprehensive Wellness Care for Elmhurst, IL Pets
At Elmhurst Animal Care Center, wellness in pet care is a philosophy that embraces health and longevity through a positive lifestyle, regular care, and early detection of problems. Pet wellness care encompasses every area of your pet’s life—from behavior to nutrition, check-ups to veterinary interventions—and is adjusted to meet the needs of the animal’s age, type, and stage of life.
Every life stage has general guidelines and recommendations for pet wellness care. The first stage is for babies. Typically you would not take a pet home until it is weaned or able to live without the mother’s nutritional support. At that point, these young pets require an initial veterinary visit to identify any immediate health problems or potential concerns.
In the first year of life, pets require a disease prevention plan that may include a vaccination protocol. In addition, the proper diet will enhance your pet’s immune system and reduce the potential for various illnesses, including heart and kidney disease.
An adult pet in good health should be examined annually. Senior pets such as dogs and cats aged 7 or older, or any pet with chronic problems, should be examined every 6 months.
Preventative Care Plans Offer Protection and Savings
To assist our clients with wellness care, Elmhurst Animal Care Center offers Preventative Care Plans for puppies, kittens, and adult dogs and cats. This is a monthly membership program that can save pet owners hundreds of dollars in veterinary fees each year!
Simply sign up for a Preventative Care Plan at your next visit or call our office to register. Your monthly membership fee is paid automatically through your credit card or by automatic withdrawal from your savings account. Convenient terms, dramatic savings, and lasting protection for your pet—contact us today for more information about Preventative Care Plans from Elmhurst Animal Care Center.
Preventive Care Plans for Dogs
Preventive Care Plans for Cats
The Veterinary Exam
The first priority in the veterinary exam is to assess your pet’s overall state of health. We assess daily routine, exercise, and nutrition and address any questions or concerns you may have about your pet’s activities or behavior.
Next, we perform a general physical exam: We listen to the heart and lungs; closely examine the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth; plus gently check over the entire body, including legs, paws, fur, and skin, scales, or feathers. At that time we may perform other routine tests, such as blood work or tests for heartworm or other internal parasites. This is also the ideal time for vaccinations and preventives.
Finally, we assess the ideal nutritional program for your pet, including food, treats, and exercise. At this time, we often discuss any behavioral issues and create a plan to address them with training or lifestyle changes.
An annual visit for most pets may include:
- Appropriate vaccinations and checks for fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites, plus heartworm testing and prevention
- Checking your pet’s heart and lungs, plus an examination of the abdomen, head, and neck areas, including eyes, ears, and mouth
- Dental cleanings, nutritional recommendations, and exercise goals
Parasite detection, disease prevention, proper nutrition, and behavioral counseling are all part of our wellness approach to pet care. Bring your questions and concerns to the pet experts at Elmhurst Animal Care Center for a positive and rewarding pet experience.
Our non-appointment system is designed with your busy lifestyles in mind—simply come in during doctors hours and we will arrange for you to see the next available veterinarian or the doctor of your choice. Visit our Contact Us page for details about our hours and appointment policy.
Every pet type requires regular veterinary exams to maximize good health and longevity.
Click on the names below to show or hide the pet information:
A healthy puppy or adult dog has no signs of illness, a clean and shiny coat, clear eyes, and does not appear too fat or thin. Your pet should be an active, friendly animal that is comfortable around you without signs of fear or aggression.
The first step when you bring home a new dog is to make a wellness appointment within 24 hours. A thorough veterinary exam may reveal potential concerns—addressing those issues begins at the wellness visit. A comprehensive plan for vaccines, parasite prevention and treatments, dental care, spay or neuter, training, and nutritional needs will be tailored to meet your needs and plans for your new canine companion.
Visit our Puppy and Kitten Care page for details about canine care in the first year of life.
Caring for your new cat begins with your veterinary wellness appointment. We prevent diseases through the proper vaccines and parasite preventives and treatment. The annual wellness exam is designed to identify any developing problems before they become serious or life threatening; this visit should be increased to twice annually as your cat enters the senior years, around 8 years of age.
Vaccines and preventives, dental care, nutritional guidance, spay or neuter, and behavioral counseling are all components of wellness care and will help you and your feline companion maintain a long and happy relationship.
Visit our Puppy and Kitten Care page for details about feline care in the first year of life.
Ferrets have a lifespan of 6 to 8 years and require lots of exercise, play time, and a setting that provides room to run, jump, and investigate new things. They like a place to burrow and prefer to sleep in an enclosed area. As they enjoy social groups, ferrets will often do well with other ferrets, cats, and small dogs from non-hunting breeds; however, families with small children or pets such as birds, rodents, or reptiles may not be a good choice for a pet ferret.
Wellness visits twice a year are necessary to keep your ferret healthy and vital. Preventive veterinary care includes vaccines such as rabies and distemper, veterinary dental cleanings, and heartworm prevention. Ferrets are prone to multiple tumors of the endocrine organs. Ferrets are unique and entertaining pets, cherished by many pet owners. Contact our office with questions about caring for your ferret or to schedule a wellness exam.
Read an enjoyable article on ferret care at the AAHA Healthy Pet website.
Read the CDC guidelines for preventing salmonella from passing to you and your family.
Rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, and guinea pigs are often called “pocket pets” because they are small, cute, and inexpensive. Each of these small animals has specific diet, housing, and handling requirements, and needs regular care and attention.
Pocket pets’ entire lives encompass only 2 to 8 years, so they age quickly and can go through rapid health changes in a matter of months. With that in mind, pocket pets require annual wellness visits. Though they don’t typically receive vaccinations, pocket pets should be weighed and examined regularly for signs of any problems.
With regular veterinary care, a safe and comfortable home, proper nutrition and exercise, and plenty of attention, you should enjoy a happy, healthy pocket pet.
Enjoy the article, Pocket Pet Care on the AAHA website.
The Pocket Pet Connection is a great source for information about pocket pets such as hamsters, mice, rats, guinea pigs, sugar gliders and more.
Visit the House Rabbit Society website for information about the following for your companion rabbit:
Learn more about raising rabbits at the American Rabbit Breeders Association website, an organization dedicated to the promotion, development and improvement of the domestic rabbit and cavy.
Read the CDC guidelines for preventing salmonella from passing to you and your family.
Birds are not low-maintenance pets—they drop feathers, food, and excrement from their cages, are sometimes quite noisy, require a constant source of water and food, and their cages need to be kept clean of food waste and droppings. A variety of the more social birds will also demand daily attention and handling to be happy. With that in mind, many pet owners find birds to be delightful and entertaining companions.
All pet birds require a balanced diet, clean water, appropriate caging, proper sanitation, and regular veterinary check-ups. Birds often present mystifying symptoms to their owners and require the specialized training of a veterinarian to diagnose and treat avian diseases.
Many birds have a long lifespan and some species can live up to a hundred years, often longer than their human owners. Owning such a pet may require advanced planning on your part, enlisting the support of a relative or friend who is willing and able to take on your feathered companion for life.
Enjoy this AVMA brochure, What You Should Know About Selecting a Bird.
Find facts and information that will aid you in getting the right pet bird, caging, feeding, and keeping it healthy, as well as articles about bird watching and more.
Learn about training and handling behavioral issues in pet birds at the About.com website.
A reptile or amphibian is an excellent choice for those allergic to pets with fur or feathers, or for those with a busy lifestyle who prefer a less socially oriented or hands-on pet. However, these exotic pets come with unique challenges for an inexperienced owner.
The care of reptiles and amphibians is unique to their type—each requires very specific care, equipment, and diet. A heat-controlled environment with regulated temperature and moisture will likely be required. These pets need precise environmental circumstances because they cannot control their own body temperature; it can sometimes be difficult to duplicate their ideal living conditions.
Owners of reptiles and amphibians run the risk of exposure to the salmonella bacteria, which can cause illness in humans, especially children. Consequently, sound education, good hygiene, and regular veterinary care are critical components to the health of these pets and their owners.
Read the CDC guidelines for preventing salmonella from passing to you and your family.
Learn about captive care for many types of reptiles and amphibians—their biology, health, behavior, and conservation—from author and educator Melissa Kaplan.
Visit The Tortoise Trust, the world’s largest tortoise and turtle organization.
