Dog Care

Dog Preventive Care: The Key to a Healthy Life

Preventive care is the foundation of good health for your dog. By taking a proactive approach—through vaccinations, regular exams, and dental care—you can help your dog avoid serious health issues and lead a longer, happier life. At Ralston Vet, we are committed to providing the best preventive care for dogs of all ages.

Preventive Exams for Dogs:
Detecting Health Issues Early

Annual or semi-annual wellness exams are crucial for detecting health issues in their early stages. Even if your dog appears healthy, regular check-ups give our care teams the opportunity to understand your dog’s unique needs and make the best recommendations for your family. Our veterinarians perform a physical nose-to-tail exam to assess their overall health and catch any potential concerns before they escalate or affect your dog’s quality of life.

Dog Vaccinations: Shielding Your Dog from Harm

Vaccinations are a cornerstone of preventive care, protecting your dog from highly contagious and dangerous diseases. Diseases such as rabies, distemper, and parvovirus are preventable – our goal is to keep your dog protected from harmful illness. Regular vet visits keep your dog’s vaccinations up to date, and our veterinarians will tailor the schedule based on their lifestyle and risk factors. Vaccines not only keep your dog safe but also protect your family from zoonotic diseases that can spread to humans such as Leptospirosis.

Parasite Prevention & Fecal Exams for Dogs

Parasite control is an essential aspect of your dog’s health, year-round prevention is the best care to keep your dog safe. Common parasites like fleas, ticks, and heartworms can lead to severe health complications, ranging from skin infections to organ damage.

Year-round flea and tick prevention is crucial, as these parasites can transmit diseases like Lyme disease and Ehrlichiosis. Flea infestations can also cause intense itching and skin infections.

Spread by mosquito bites, heartworm infections can be fatal if not treated. Preventative medications are the most effective way to protect your dog.

Dogs are also at risk of intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. These parasites are often picked up through contaminated water, soil, or by ingesting infected animals. Regular fecal exams are a vital component of preventive care to identify and treat these parasites before they cause serious health issues like diarrhea, weight loss, or even anemia. Routine deworming is recommended, especially for puppies, and should be part of your dog’s
annual wellness exam. Early detection through fecal tests is important, as many intestinal parasites can
also pose a risk to human health.

Protecting your dog from parasites not only keeps them healthy but also minimizes risks for the entire household.

Dog Dental Care: Why It Matters

Good oral hygiene is vital to your dog’s overall health. Without preventive dental care, your dog could develop gum disease, infections, and other conditions that may affect major organs like the heart and kidneys. We recommend regular dental exams and cleanings, along with at- home care, to keep your dog’s teeth and gums in excellent condition.

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The Canine Basic Plan 2024 

The Dog Basic Plan 2024 Includes: 

  • 1 Preventive Care Exam with Essential Vaccines as Recommended by Your Veterinarian **May Include: Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, and Bordetella
  • 3 Additional Regularly Scheduled Additional Exams – Not To Be Used for Emergency or Urgent Care Visits
  • Heartworm & Tick Disease Screening
  • A Stool Sample is Checked For Any Intestinal Parasites
  • 2 Pedicures (Nail Trim and Dremel)
  • Heartworm Disease Prevention For 12 Months, As Recommended By Your Veterinarian.  **Customized Recommendation May Include: 1 (One) Annual Injection, 2 (Two) Semi-Annual Injections, Or Monthly Oral Doses. **12 Months Of Preventive Included** 
Service  Monthly Price/Unit  Units  Total Monthly Price 
Adult Chem, CBC, T4-Idexx  $11.98 1 $11.98
Chem 25, CBC, T4, UA IRL  $16.64 1 $16.64 
Abdominal Ultrasound  $30.23 1 $30.23 
Digital Imaging >3 views  $18.80 1 $18.80 
Pedicure (Nail Trim & Dremel)  $2.55 12 $30.50 
Dental Prophylaxis  $58.34 1 $58.34
Echocardiogram  $43.55 1 $43.55 
Canine Spay < than 18 months  $47.50 1 $47.50 
WP Bravecto 12 Week Dose  $13.72 1 $13.72 
WP Heartworm Prevention Injectable 12m  $0.00 1 $0.00
WP Heartworm Prevention Oral  $0.00 1 $0.00
Microchip & Registration  $5.06 1 $5.06 
WP Heartworm Prevention Injectable 6m  $0.00 1 $0.00
Canine Neuter < than 18 months  $44.17 1 $44.17 

Optional Services Include:  

  • Diagnostic Screening Bloodwork Panel (Chemistry, CBC and Thyroid Screen)
  • Additional Health Screening Bloodwork Panel (Chem 25, CBC, Thyroid Screen and Urinalysis)
  • Preventive Dentistry Procedure (Grade 1 Periodontal Disease) with Pre-Anesthetic Blood Screening, IV Catheter & Fluids, Full Mouth Digital X-Rays, Anesthesia and Monitoring  **Additional Fees Apply For: Tooth and Gum Treatments, Oral Surgery, Enhanced/Expanded/Supplementary
  • Anesthesia and Imaging, and Take-Home Medications**
  • Diagnostic Digital Radiographs/X-Rays as Recommended by Your Veterinarian 
  • Diagnostic Abdominal Ultrasound as Recommended by Your Veterinarian
  • Diagnostic Echocardiogram Ultrasound as Recommended by Your Veterinarian
  • Spay or Neuter Procedure Under 18 Months of Age with Pre-Anesthetic Blood Panel, IV Catheter & Fluids, Monitoring, Pain and Anesthetic Medications, Take-Home Medications, and E-Collar.  **Additional Fees Apply For: Fluoride Treatment and Deciduous Tooth Extraction   **Service Unavailable for Use if Pet Is In-Heat or Pregnant
  • Microchip & Registration 
  • Pedicures (Nail Trim & Dremel)
  • Additional Flea/Tick/Heartworm/Intestinal Parasite Protection, As Recommended By Your Veterinarian 

$37.00 Monthly Payment $444.00 Total Paid Over 12Mo

$676.71 Retail Value  $232.71 Value Saved Over 12Mo

Enroll

The Canine Advanced Plan 2024 

The Dog Advanced Plan 2024 Includes: 

  • 1 Preventive Care Exam with Essential Vaccines as Recommended by Your Veterinarian **May Include: Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, and Bordetella
  • Unlimited Regularly Scheduled Additional Exam – Not To Be Used for Emergency or Urgent Care 
  • Heartworm & Tick Disease Screening
  • A Stool Sample is Checked For Any Intestinal Parasites
  • A Health Screening Bloodword Panel and Urinalysis
  • 2 Pedicures (Nail Trim and Dremel)
  • Heartworm Disease Prevention For 12 Months, As Recommended By Your Veterinarian.  **Customized Recommendation May Include: 1 (One) Annual Injection, 2 (Two) Semi-Annual Injections, Or Monthly Oral Doses. **12 Months Of Preventive Included** 
Service  Monthly Price/Unit  Units  Total Monthly Price 
Adult Chem, CBC, T4-Idexx  $11.98 1 $11.98
Chem 25, CBC, T4, UA IRL  $16.64 1 $16.64 
Abdominal Ultrasound  $30.23 1 $30.23 
Digital Imaging >3 views  $18.80 1 $18.80 
Pedicure (Nail Trim & Dremel)  $2.55 12 $30.50 
Dental Prophylaxis  $58.34 1 $58.34
Echocardiogram  $43.55 1 $43.55 
Canine Spay < than 18 months  $47.50 1 $47.50 
WP Bravecto 12 Week Dose  $13.72 1 $13.72 
WP Heartworm Prevention Injectable 12m  $0.00 1 $0.00
WP Heartworm Prevention Oral  $0.00 1 $0.00
Microchip & Registration  $5.06 1 $5.06 
WP Heartworm Prevention Injectable 6m  $0.00 1 $0.00
Canine Neuter < than 18 months  $44.17 1 $44.17 

*Paid-In-Full Discount $59.50  **Paid-in-Full Plans Cannot Alter or Add Services After Enrollment 
*Unlimited Exams are Non-Transferable and Not Redeemable for Cash  

Optional Services Include:  

  • Diagnostic Screening Bloodwork Panel (Chemistry, CBC and Thyroid Screen)
  • Additional Health Screening Bloodwork Panel (Chem 25, CBC, Thyroid Screen and Urinalysis)
  • Preventive Dentistry Procedure (Grade 1 Periodontal Disease) with Pre-Anesthetic Blood Screening, IV Catheter & Fluids, Full Mouth Digital X-Rays, Anesthesia and Monitoring **Additional Fees Apply For: Tooth and Gum Treatments, Oral Surgery, Enhanced/Expanded/Supplementary Anesthesia and Imaging, and Take-Home Medications** 
  • Diagnostic Digital Radiographs/X-Rays as Recommended by Your Veterinarian 
  • Diagnostic Abdominal Ultrasound as Recommended by Your Veterinarian
  • Diagnostic Echocardiogram Ultrasound as Recommended by Your Veterinarian
  • Spay or Neuter Procedure Under 18 Months of Age with Pre-Anesthetic Blood Panel, IV Catheter & Fluids, Monitoring, Pain and Anesthetic Medications, Take-Home Medications, and E-Collar. **Additional Fees Apply For: Fluoride Treatment and Deciduous Tooth Extraction  **Service Unavailable for Use if Pet Is In-Heat or Pregnant
  • Microchip & Registration 
  • Pedicures (Nail Trim & Dremel)
  • Additional Flea/Tick/Heartworm/Intestinal Parasite Protection, As Recommended By Your Veterinarian 

$59.50 Monthly Payment $714.00 Total Paid Over 12Mo

$1,028.75 Retail Value  $314.75 Value Saved Over 12Mo

Enroll

Senior Dog Care:
Give Them the Best Golden Years

As your dog reaches senior status, typically around the age of 7 or older depending on breed, their healthcare needs evolve. Regular checkups are more critical during this stage to catch age-related health issues early, such as arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease. Monitoring your senior dog’s health closely and making appropriate lifestyle changes can help them enjoy a longer, healthier life.

Bi-Annual
Wellness Exams

Senior dogs should have a wellness exam every 6 months. These checkups often include blood work, urinalysis, and X-rays to monitor for any underlying conditions.

Diet & Weight Management

Aging dogs often benefit from special senior diets that address their changing nutritional needs. Managing weight becomes more important as dogs age, as obesity can exacerbate conditions like arthritis or heart disease.

Pain Management

Joint health is a significant concern for senior dogs. Regular checkups help identify signs of arthritis or joint pain early, and your vet can recommend supplements, medications, or
therapies to help manage these conditions.