3130 New Berlin Road Jacksonville, FL 32226
Why Wellness Exams Matter
Pets cannot tell us when something feels off, and small changes in health can go unnoticed until a problem becomes serious. Regular wellness exams at Cowford Veterinary Hospital allow our Jacksonville veterinary team to catch issues early, track your pet's health over time, and keep preventive care on schedule.
A consistent wellness routine is one of the simplest ways to protect your pet's long term health, and it gives you the confidence that comes from knowing your companion is thriving.
What's Included in a Wellness Visit
Every wellness exam at our animal hospital in Jacksonville is tailored to your pet's age, breed, and lifestyle. A typical visit may include:
- A nose to tail physical examination
- Weight and body condition assessment
- Dental health screening
- Parasite prevention review
- Core and risk-based vaccine updates
- Nutrition and lifestyle recommendations
- Bloodwork or additional diagnostics when needed
Core and Non-Core Vaccines for Dogs
Vaccinations remain one of the most effective tools for preventing serious and fatal, illness in dogs. Our veterinarians recommend a combination of core vaccines, which every dog should receive, along with risk-based vaccines chosen according to your dog's lifestyle and exposure.
Core Vaccines for Dogs
- Rabies
- Parvovirus (part of the DHPP vaccine)
- Distemper (part of the DHPP vaccine)
- Hepatitis (part of the DHPP vaccine)
- Parainfluenza (part of the DHPP vaccine)
- Adenovirus (part of the DHPP vaccine)
- Kennel cough (Bordetella vaccine)
- Leptospirosis
Non-Core Vaccines for Dogs
- Canine influenza
- Lyme disease
- Rattlesnake vaccine
Parasites in Pets
Fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites are a year round concern for pets in Northeast Florida. Left untreated, these parasites can lead to skin irritation, anemia, digestive issues, and more serious illness over time. During your pet's wellness exam, our veterinarians check for signs of parasites and build a prevention plan suited to your pet's lifestyle, whether they spend most of their time indoors or love exploring the outdoors.
Routine fecal testing and parasite prevention are simple, effective ways to protect your pet and the rest of your household from these common health risks.
Heartworm Screening and Prevention
Heartworm disease is spread through mosquito bites and can affect both dogs and cats, causing serious, lasting damage to the heart and lungs if left untreated. Because Jacksonville's warm, humid climate keeps mosquitoes active for much of the year, annual heartworm testing is a standard part of every dog's wellness visit at Cowford Veterinary Hospital, and our veterinarians may recommend testing for cats as well, particularly those with outdoor access.
A simple blood test allows us to confirm your pet is heartworm free before renewing their preventive medication. Heartworm disease tends to be even harder to detect and treat in cats than in dogs, which makes prevention especially important. Catching an infection early gives your pet the best possible chance at a full recovery, so we recommend testing even for pets who take monthly preventives year round.
Permanent Pet Identification With Microchipping
A collar and tags can fall off or become unreadable over time, but a microchip provides a permanent form of identification for your pet. This tiny, rice sized chip is inserted just beneath the skin during a quick, low discomfort procedure and can be scanned by any veterinary office or animal shelter to help reunite you with a lost pet.
We recommend microchipping as part of your pet's wellness care, giving you added peace of mind whether your pet is a homebody or an adventurous escape artist.
Nutrition and Weight Management
Proper nutrition plays a major role in your pet's overall health, energy level, and lifespan. During wellness visits, our veterinarians assess your pet's body condition and discuss feeding habits, portion sizes, and any dietary changes that may be needed as your pet ages or if underlying health conditions are present.
Maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce the risk of joint problems, diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions linked to obesity in pets. Our team is happy to recommend a nutrition and weight management plan tailored to your pet's breed, age, and activity level.
Schedule a Wellness Consultation for Your Pet Today
Every pet deserves a wellness plan built around their own needs, not a one size fits all checklist. If you have questions about vaccines, parasite prevention, nutrition, or any other part of your pet's care, our Jacksonville veterinary team is here to help you sort through the options and choose what makes sense for your companion.
Reach out to Cowford Veterinary Hospital today to schedule a consultation with our team and give your pet the foundation for a long, healthy life.
Trusted Pet Care & a Friendly Welcome for Every Pet
