Wellness Services

Wellness Exams

A regular physical examination is just as important for your pet as it is for you. Dr. Byrd recommends a complete physical examination for your pet at least once a year, though more frequent exams are encouraged. During a physical examination, we will listen to your pet's heart and lungs, evaluate your pet's vision, look for any unusual lumps or swelling and check your pet's teeth and oral cavity, among other procedures.

Our wellness exam appointments are a minimum of 30 minutes (though usually longer), and we love to take extra time to meet new puppies and kittens and help clients learn more about their pets' healthcare needs.

Routine examinations give us an opportunity to develop a picture of your pet's overall mental, physical and behavioral health. Examinations are also essential in spotting problems before they become serious health issues. During an exam, we may also talk to you about home healthcare for your pet. An examination is also a good time for your pet to get up-to-date on his or her vaccinations.

Microchipping

Each year, millions of pets go missing, and many never make it back to their homes. Implanting a microchip in your pet is a simple, relatively painless way to avoid this tragedy.

A microchip is a tiny electronic device, about the size and shape of a grain of rice. It is implanted beneath a pet's skin between the shoulder blades, and stays there for the pet's entire life. This procedure is as easy and as fast as a vaccination.

Each microchip has a unique number. This number, along with information about the owner and pet, are added to a national pet registry. Most veterinary hospitals and animal shelters have electronic scanners for detecting and reading these implanted microchips. If a lost pet is found and a microchip is scanned, the registry is called and the owner can be contacted immediately.

Vaccinations

Due to the many recent discoveries and innovations in veterinary medicine, your pet can be protected against most major infectious diseases. Today, many immunizations and preventative treatments are available that did not exist a decade ago.

Vaccines are useful in preventing canine distemper, parvovirus, bordetella, rabies, leptospirosis and other diseases in your dog and feline leukemia, panleukopenia, rabies and upper-respiratory disease in cats. Our staff can assist you in deciding which preventative measures are necessary for your pet.

Up-to-date vaccinations play a large part in keeping your pet healthy and free from disease. However, not every pet requires the same series or frequency of vaccines. Dr. Byrd will tailor a vaccine protocol that's specific to your pet based on his or her lifestyle. Vaccine schedules are balanced to provide needed protection while not over-vaccinating your pet. We strive to vaccinate as little as possible and carry three-year vaccines for many diseases. Please ask Dr. Byrd and our staff for more information about a vaccine schedule that's right for your pet.

Emergency Care

If your pet requires emergency care outside of hospital hours, we refer clients to Animal Critical Care and Emergency Services in Seattle. When possible, please call ACCES before your arrival so they can prepare to treat your pet. Click here for driving directions to ACCES.

Animal Critical Care and Emergency Services
11536 Lake City Way NE
Seattle, WA 98125
206-364-1660