The saying goes that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and we couldn’t agree more! The foundation of the Turkey Creek Animal Hospital approach is that preventative care and wellness care makes for longer, healthier, and happier lives for pets.
Our wellness care services allow us to see pets at their healthiest and then give you strategies to keep them there, including regular exams, vaccinations, blood work, and other proactive health care.
Examinations
Annual exams for pets not only let us establish what’s normal for your pet, but also gives us the opportunity to catch symptoms early, before they become major health problems and while they’re most treatable.
- During our examination of your pet, we will evaluate:
- Skin and/or hair and coat
- General assessment of hydration
- Eyes, ears, and nose
- Ears should be clean, dry, and free of odor, discharge, redness, or sores
- Noses should be moist and clean, free of discharge or bleeding
- Mouth, teeth and gums
- Respiratory system
- Gentle assessment of abdomen for lumps, masses, discomfort, pain or swelling
- Reading of pulse rate, strength and consistency
- Internal temperature reading
Hillsborough County requires tags for the following:
- Lives with you in Hillsborough County
- Is 4 months of age or older
- Is a dog, cat or ferret
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are one of the best and least expensive ways to protect your pet’s health. At Turkey Creek Animal Hospital, we strongly believe in both core vaccinations for all pets as well as non-core vaccines for specific illnesses related to lifestyle, age, region, and other factors.
Core vaccines for canines:
- Rabies (required by law)
- Distemper
- Leptospirosis
- Adenovirus I and II
- Parvovirus
- Parainfluenza
Non-core vaccines for canines:
- Bordetella (kennel cough) – dogs who regularly come into contact with other dogs or who go to boarding, daycare, or dog parks
- Leptospirosis – a bacterial infection common in the state of Florida that can fatally damage kidneys and liver
- Canine Influenza H3N8: a flu-like virus that is very contagious between dogs kept in close contact with one another. Vaccination is often required by kennels, groomers, and similar businesses.
Core vaccines for felines:
- Rabies (required by law)
- Herpesvirus
- Calicivirus
- Panleukopenia/Feline Distemper
Non-core vaccines for felines:
- Feline Leukemia Virus (FelV)
Wellness and preventive care also include parasite prevention and more frequent exams for very young pets and seniors.
Ready to make a wellness appointment for your pet? Book an appointment online or give us a call at (813) 752-1010.