Preventive pet healthcare
The old adage, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" certainly holds true when it comes to pet health. The cost of prevention is often a fraction of the cost of treating a disease or problem once it has become more advanced, and early diagnosis and treatment of developing problems or diseases can increase the likelihood of successful outcomes.
Preventive healthcare involves a multi-faceted approach that includes veterinary evaluation of your pet's overall health and risks of disease or other health problems. Based on the findings, your veterinarian will provide you with recommendations for your pet's nutrition, dental care, vaccinations and heartworm/flea/tick prevention, as well as recommendations specifically tailored to your pet's health status and risk factors.
Resources for pet owners
- Healthy pet checkups (Partners for Healthy Pets)
- Importance of wellness exams
- Vaccination: Frequently asked questions
- What to expect after your pet's vaccination
- Money tips for caring pet owners
- Pet health: Why regular veterinary visits matter (AAHA)
- AAHA's resources for pet owners (AAHA)
Resources for veterinarians
Clinic posters and client handouts:
AVMA members can download ready-to-use posters and client handouts to educate clients on a wide range of preventive healthcare topics, including vaccination, dental care, socialization, and much more.
Partners for Healthy Pets:
Partners for Healthy Pets provides a suite of tools that help veterinarians work with clients to improve the overall health of pets. This Practice Resources Toolbox can be used throughout the veterinary practice to help deliver preventive healthcare as effectively as possible. The tools include:
- Opportunity survey
- Guidelines implementation
- Forward booking
- Inactive client program
- Monthly payment plans
- Internet and social media marketing
- Communications
- Feline-friendly practice
- Success stories
Guidelines:
- Canine Preventive Healthcare Guidelines (AVMA-AAHA) PDF
- Feline Preventive Healthcare Guidelines (AVMA-AAHA) PDF
- Feline Life Stage Guidelines (AAFP-AAHA)
- Canine Vaccination Guidelines (AAHA)
- Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats (AAHA)
- Nutritional Assessment Guidelines for Dogs and Cats (AAHA)
- Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats (AAHA)
- Development of new canine and feline preventive healthcare guidelines designed to improve pet health (AAHA-AVMA) PDF