Primary & Wellness Care Services
Preventive medicine is one of the most important components of animal health care. Wellness services include annual health exams, vaccinations, parasite control, and routine prophylactic surgeries.
How to keep your pet healthy
From pediatric to geriatric care, and everything in between.
Annual Health Exams
Vaccinations
Parasite Control
Spays & Neuters
Dental COHAT
Puppy and Kitten Exams
Welcome new family members! Initial consultations with these adorable fluff-balls are the best way to identify congenital abnormalities that may cause problems later in life. We also need to establish a plan for preventive medicine that is tailored to the individual needs of your pet and household.
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We recommend seeing new puppies and kittens at 8, 12, and 16 weeks. During these visits we will give vaccines based on the risk factors that you discuss with your veterinarian. We will also start young pets on a deworming protocol, as many puppies and kittens come with a large worm burden.
During these visits you will also discuss timing for important events such as the start of training/socialization and their spay/neuter. We will provide nutrition advice, and can even provide you with a trial of pet insurance.
Congenital issues that are commonly identified in puppies/kittens:
- Hernias (usually umbilical)
- Retained testicles
- Retained baby teeth
Vaccinations
We believe that vaccinations are important to keep your animal healthy, as well as to protect your human family, and community. We like to find a balance between appropriate coverage and over-vaccination. As such, we recommend certain “Core” vaccines that should be continued in all animals, and offer others as choices based on your pet’s life style.
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We vaccinate puppies at 8, 12, and 16 weeks. They then receive a booster vaccine in one year. Thereafter vaccines are typically given every 3 years depending on your animal’s risk factors.
Our Vaccination Protocol for Dogs:
- DA2PP (CORE) – Canine Distemper, Adenovirus Type II, Parainfluenza, and Parvo virus
- Rabies (CORE)
- Bordetella (aka “Kennel Cough”)
- Leptospirosis
We vaccinate kittens twice between 8 and 16 weeks. They then receive a booster vaccine in one year. Thereafter vaccines are typically given every 3 years for outdoor cats.
Our Vaccination Protocol for Cats:
- FVRCP (CORE) – Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calici Virus, and Panleukopenia Virus
- Rabies (CORE)
- LVK – Feline Leukemia Virus
Spays and Neuters
Coombs Veterinary Hospital provides spays and neuters for dogs and cats. Though considered “Routine,” these procedures are still major surgeries requiring full General Anesthetic. We consider these operations to be major events in the life of your pet, and take great care to make sure every procedure is performed with safety and compassion in mind.
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We recommend spaying your female pet at 6 months of age.
i-Care Veterinary Hospital offers different options for Spays:
1. Traditional Spay – Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits
This surgery involves a medium sized abdominal incision using a scalpel, and removal of both the ovaries and uterus.
2. Laser Assisted Spay – Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits
This is essentially the same surgery as a traditional spay, but anywhere that we would normally use a scalpel, we use a laser instead for cutting and cautery at the same time. See the Laser Surgery section on this page for more details.
3. Laparoscopic Spay – Dogs >5kg
This surgery involves making two very small incisions, and removing only the ovaries using a laparoscopic camera and cautery. For more information on this procedure and it’s numerous benefits, please see the Laparoscopic Spay section on this page.
We recommend neutering small dogs at 6 months, medium sized dogs at 8 months, and large breed dogs at 1 year of age.
i-Care Veterinary Hopsital offers different options for Neuters:
1. Traditional Neuter – Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits
This surgery involves creating a small incision just in front of the scrotum and removing both testicles.
2. Laser Assisted Neuter – Dogs
This is essentially the same surgery as a traditional spay, but anywhere that we would normally use a scalpel, we use a laser instead for cutting and cautery at the same time. See the Laser Surgery section on this page for more details.
Geriatric Care
Though age is not a disease, there are many common chronic conditions that develop as pets get older. As such, senior pets need even more care and attention. An increased frequency of vet visits and diagnostics such as blood work, are necessary in geriatric patients.
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What is considered “Senior” for an animal?
- 10 years in Cats and Small dogs
- 8 years in Medium dogs
- 7 years in Large dogs
- 6 years in Giant dogs
Most veterinarians recommend bringing senior patients for a check-up at least every 6 months. During these visits we often recommend blood work to check organ function, as the sooner we can identify problems, the better we can slow the progression of disease. For example, chronic kidney disease does not have a cure, but there are many steps that can be taken to manage the condition. The length and quality of life that can be provided to a kidney patient is directly related to how soon in the disease process corrective interventions were made.
Annual Wellness Exams for Healthy Animals
Annual exams are one of the most important services we can provide, as they allow us to discuss healthy habits, preventative care, and to detect early signs of disease. A full physical exam is performed from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, including vital sign measurements.
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1 year in your pet’s life is equivalent to 5-7 “human” years. Many things can change in this time, and our prime goal during a wellness check is to try and prevent problems before they arise.
Following examination, recommendations may be made for your pet including blood work, fecal analysis, urinalysis, and/or internal/external parasite control. These tests or treatments are meant to ensure your pet is receiving the best care to maintain optimal health.
Conditions that are commonly identified during annual wellness exams:
- Internal/External masses
- Skin disease/Allergies
- Lameness
- Congestive Heart disease
- Chronic Kidney disease
- Bladder stones/masses
- Ocular disease
- Dental disease
- Liver disease
- Anal gland disease
Parasite Control
Internal and external parasite control is an important part of preventative medicine on Vancouver Island. Our mild climate leads to flea and tick problems all year round. As fleas carry tapeworms, this also leads to internal parasite issues in animals that spend time outdoors. Other risk factors for worms include diet, hunting, and time spent around other animals.
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Keeping your animal “bug” free helps with their coat quality, activity levels, weight gain/maintenance, and gastrointestinal health. It also keeps you and your family healthier, as many internal parasites can be transmitted between animals and humans. This is especially important in families with young children or immunocompromised individuals.
We recommend using Parasite Control products all year round.
- Products for external parasite control must be administered every 1 – 3 months depending on the product used.
- Products for internal parasite control should be given every 4 – 12 months depending on your animal’s life-style.
These products are thoroughly tested and found to be safe when administered appropriately. Reactions are rare and usually mild/self-limiting. Please let your veterinarian know if your animal has had a previous reaction to any type of product in the past.
Please Note – In order to provide your animal with parasite control products, they must be up to date on their Annual Wellness Examination. This means they must have been seen by one of our Veterinarians within the last 12 months.
Dental COHAT
Bacteria from dental disease can seed to other areas in the body such as the heart or kidneys. A Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) involves a full dental probing and analysis of each tooth including intra-oral x-rays to check the status of the tooth roots. Professional anesthetized cleanings are recommended every 6-12 months.
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Without daily brushing, the plaque that is created by bacteria, salvia and food particles mineralizes into tartar. Tartar causes inflammation at the gum-line known as gingivitis and starts to break down the periodontal ligaments leading to tooth mobility, infection, and pain. Ultimately the jawbone becomes infected, which can lead to abscessation or even jaw fractures in small enough animals. Broken teeth are also a major concern, due to exposure of the pulp cavity. This leads to bacteria wicking up into the blood vessels and causes tooth root infection/abscessation.
A Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) involves a full dental probing and analysis of each tooth including intra-oral x-rays to check the status of the tooth roots. Any plaque and tartar that escapes home care is fully removed with hand and ultrasonic scaling instruments. Teeth that are fractured or have severely compromised periodontal ligaments are extracted to prevent infection and chronic pain. This level of oral health care cannot be provided to animals without full general anesthetic, as it is impossible to address the teeth below the gum-line in an awake animal. Professional cleanings every 6-12 months are necessary for each tooth to receive proper attention and care.
Quality of Life Assessments
At some point it becomes time for every animal to cross over the Rainbow Bridge. If you are not sure if your animal is ready for this journey, or you have any questions about the experience (especially in the age of COVID), we recommend booking a Quality of Life consultation with your veterinarian.
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End of Life discussions should be had with your regular Veterinarian, as they know you, your animal, and their life history better than anyone. You can also search online, as there are many tools available to help you know when it’s ‘time.’ An example of this would be the “Grey Muzzle Quality of Life Calendar App” that is available through the AppStore.
In order to perform a euthanasia procedure, i-Care Veterinary Hospital will first book you a quality of life examination to discuss your pet’s condition.
If you are interested in at-home care, please contact one of the following local veterinarians:
- Dr. Anne Walsh (Home Comfort Vet)
(250) 228-9631 - Dr. Tyler Stitt (Winchelsea Veterinary Services)
(250) 667-5534
British Columbia’s Veterinary Shortage
Clinics across the province are suffering from increased demand and shortage of staff. We are all working extremely hard to make sure every pet receives the care they need and deserve. Unfortunately due to the increasing demand and need for urgent care, we are temporarily unable to accommodate requests for new wellness patients. We are still able to see all urgent and referral patients for both clients and non clients. We will continue to accept referrals for Laparoscopic spays, ultrasounds, cardiac ultrasounds, endoscopic procedures and orthopedic surgeries.
Technologically Advanced Wellness
Services offered at
i-Care Veterinary Hospital
Minimally Invasive Surgery Techniques
Laparoscopic Spays
Instead of one larger incision required in a traditional spay, 2 small incisions are created. This allows the Veterinarian to introduce a small camera and surgical instruments into the abdominal cavity. The ovaries are transected using electrocautery and removed. This technique involves far less stretching of tissues and better visualization than a traditional spay.
We are currently the only clinic on Vancouver Island offering this service.
Laparoscopic-Assisted Gastropexy
Large, deep chested dogs are at risk of developing a condition known as “Gastric Dilation and Volvulous” (aka GDV). This condition is immediately life-threatening, and requires emergency surgery to correct. Even with emergency surgery, a GDV is often fatal.
One way to help prevent this condition from occuring in high-risk dogs, is to tack their stomach in place. This is called a “gastropexy.” There are many pros and cons to this prophylactic procedure, which should be discussed in detail with your veterinarian.
Like a spay, a gastropexy can also be performed using laparoscopic assistance. We are currently the only clinic on Vancouver Island offering laparoscopically assisted gastropexies.
Other Surgical “Extras”
Laser Surgery
This leads to faster procedures, and shorter time under anesthetic, which reduces the risks associated with anesthesia.
The laser seals nerve endings and lymphatics, resulting in less post-operative swelling and pain. The beam efficiently destroys bacteria in its path, leading to a sanitizing effect, and reduced risk of infection.
Laser enables a number of surgical procedures that are not practical or even possible with a scalpel, such as removal of large tumors with clean margins. Lesions in awkward locations such as inside the throat, nose, or oral cavity also become more feasible.
Panoramic Dental X-rays
i-Care Veterinary Hospital is proud to be the first veterinary hospital in Canada to have a digital panoramic system for taking dental x-rays.
Our new MyVet Pan i2D machine allows a full 360-degree x-ray to be taken of the mouth, capturing every tooth in 30 seconds or less. We include a set of full mouth dental x-rays with every dental COHAT procedure.
The entire mouth can be imaged over 7 times faster than with a traditional full mouth x-ray imaging procedure. This reduces time spent under anesthetic, while still ensuring that any subgingival disease is identified. These comprehensive x-rays also allow us to track dental health throughout a pet’s lifetime.
If you are interested in any of i-Care’s unique services, please call our reception team today to book a consult. You can also ask your primary care clinic to send us an online referral.
Pet First Aid Kits Available For Purchase
If you are concerned about something your pet is ingested, please contact Animal Poison Control at 855-764-7661
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