Wellness

Wellness Exams and Vaccines

Wellness Examinations – Healthy Pets = Happy Homes

Regular comprehensive physical exams are one of the most important ways to support your pet’s long-term health and well-being. Because pets age more quickly than people, health changes can occur in a short period of time. Routine exams allow us to identify concerns early, when they are often easier to manage and treat.

At each wellness visit, your pet’s care may include a physical exam along with recommended preventive testing such as vaccines, fecal testing, heartworm testing, bloodwork, or urinalysis. Recommendations are always tailored to your pet’s age, breed, lifestyle, and overall health.

Some tests, such as parasite screening and heartworm testing, are recommended annually. Other diagnostics, like general wellness bloodwork, may be recommended more frequently for senior pets, pets with underlying conditions, or breeds predisposed to certain diseases.

Vaccines

We take an individualized, Fear Free approach to vaccination planning, recognizing that each pet’s lifestyle and risk factors are unique. Vaccines are generally divided into Core and Non-Core categories.

Core Vaccines

Core vaccines are recommended for all dogs and cats because they protect against serious, potentially life-threatening diseases.

Rabies (1-year and 3-year)
Rabies vaccination is required by law in Massachusetts. Rabies is a fatal viral disease that can be transmitted to people and other animals. The first rabies vaccine is always valid for one year, regardless of your pet’s age at the time it is given.

Canine Distemper Combination (1-year and 3-year)
This combination vaccine protects against several serious viral diseases in dogs, including distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis), parainfluenza, and parvovirus. These diseases are highly contagious and can cause severe illness.

Leptospirosis (annual)
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can affect both pets and people. It is spread through wildlife urine in the environment and is especially common in areas with standing water or wildlife exposure. Because of the risk on Cape Cod and surrounding areas, we consider leptospirosis a core vaccine for dogs.

Feline Distemper Combination (1-year and 3-year)
This vaccine protects cats against feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia—highly contagious diseases that can cause significant illness, especially in kittens and unvaccinated cats.

Non-Core Vaccines

Non-core vaccines are recommended based on your pet’s lifestyle, exposure risk, and environment.

These may include protection against Lyme disease, canine influenza, Bordetella (kennel cough), and feline leukemia/FIV.

For dogs that board, attend daycare, or visit dog parks, Bordetella and canine influenza vaccines are often recommended. For cats that go outdoors, feline leukemia vaccination is strongly recommended.

Personalized Care

Every pet is different, and vaccination and preventive care plans are always customized. We will work with you during your visit to create a plan that best supports your pet’s health, lifestyle, and comfort.