Pet Health

The information on this page is only a start—bring your questions and concerns with you to your appointments. We partner with you to create a health and wellness plan unique to your pet’s needs and lifestyle.

Large Animals

At Continental Animal Wellness Center, we provide care for most large animals including horses, goats, sheep, and llamas. Our wellness program for the large animal includes:

Physical examinations
Vaccinations
Dental prophylaxis
Minor surgeries and castrations
Parasite Prevention

The large animal poses unique challenges for the owner, and we are here to diagnose problems, treat chronic and acute conditions, and assist you in creating an appropriate health plan. We offer you access to our modern facility, designed and equipped to meet the specific needs of your animal. Nutritional assessment and care, lameness and hoof concerns, athletic performance, and animal behavior. Whatever your experience or concerns, our staff is here to help.

Large animals require regular care and close attention to any hint of ill health. The American Veterinary Medical Association suggests that you consult us immediately if your animal shows any of the following:

Abnormal discharges from the nose, eyes or other body openings
Sudden changes in behavior
Abnormal lumps, loss of hair, open sores, or a ragged or dull coat
Lameness, or reluctance to move or perform normally when ridden
Loss of appetite or marked changes in weight
Signs of abdominal pain (rolling, kicking or biting at belly, pawing), decreased manure passage, or diarrhea

Schedule a farm call or bring your animal here to us for wellness care, diagnosis and disease management, and owner education. We prefer to treat your large animal in our facility, which is designed to care for your pet as well as to ensure safety for doctor and patient.

Small Animals

Companion animals are a big favorite at Continental Animal Wellness Center, and whether you own a dog, cat, or ferret, your pet deserves our first-rate care. Pets who receive high quality veterinary care live longer and healthier lives - that is our commitment to you. We keep in-depth, confidential records detailing your pet’s vaccination history, reactions to medications, illnesses, surgical procedures, and behavioral issues. Our staff is here to inform and guide you in every aspect of your pet’s life.

Schedule an appointment as soon as your new pet arrives. At your first visit expect to discuss:

Kitten Package $425 ($955 if purchased individually) (Entire package must be complete by the time the pet is 8 months old)

Spay/ Neuter
Pre-anesthetic bloodwork
Pain medication
E-collar
Fecal to Idexx laboratory
Pyrantel
Microchip
FeLV/ FIV test
FVRCP vaccine series (1st two vaccines with Leukemia)
Rabies vaccine

Puppy Package $400 ($925 if purchased individually) (Entire package must be complete by the time pet is 8 months old)

Dental Package $465 (Tooth extractions are not included in package price)

Puppies

First Check-Up: As soon as your puppy joins your household, schedule the first visit to the doctor. Bring any available vaccination and medical records, adoption records if you have them, and a stool sample to this visit, so the doctor can check for internal parasites. You can expect us to give your new pet a physical exam, and don’t forget to bring your list of questions—we are your partners in the health and well-being of this new pet, and we are here to help.

Special note to first-time breeders: when you bring your pregnant dog to us for a prenatal exam, we’ll explain what you need to know about puppy care during these critical early days immediately after birth.

Vaccinations: Mother’s milk offers pups some protection from disease, but that only lasts a few weeks. Once they are weaned from their mother, puppies should be given vaccines to protect them from disease. The “puppy series” gradually builds immunity during the first few months, usually beginning with the first medical exam at around 6 - 8 weeks.

“Puppy Series” vaccines may include:

DHPP (Distemper/Hepatitis/Parainfluenza/Parvovirus) vaccine given at 6 - 8 weeks, at least three doses
Rabies given at 14 – 16 weeks

Please consult our Vaccinations tab on this page for more information on vaccines.

Food: Good quality puppy food is important, and some breeders may advise specific brands. Your new puppy may have come with a starter bag of puppy food, or you might have gone to the store and asked for help. If you aren’t sure, please call our office for a recommendation, even before your initial appointment. Never give a young puppy table food and always keep lots of fresh clean water available.

Spaying / Neutering: Unless you intend to breed your dog, we recommend spaying or neutering your puppy at around six months of age. An altered pet lives longer, and generally has fewer medical problems and a better temperament if this is done at an early age. Many unwanted puppies are euthanized every year, and responsible pet owners do not contribute to this pet over-population problem.

Puppies need regular exams, vaccinations and parasite prevention, socialization, behavioral training, and a safe comfortable environment in which to live. At Continental, we help you create such an environment. We enjoy meeting every new puppy and we hope to make your experience together a rich and rewarding one.

Puppy Packages

Kittens

First Check-Up: As soon as your kitten joins your household, schedule the first visit to the doctor. Bring any available vaccination and medical records, adoption records if you have them, and a stool sample so the doctor can check for internal parasites. You can expect us to give your kitten a physical exam, and don’t forget to bring your list of questions—we are your partners in the health and well-being of this new pet, and we are here to help.

Vaccinations: Mother’s milk offers kittens some protection from disease, but that only lasts a few weeks. Once they are weaned from their mother, kittens should be given vaccines to protect them from disease. The “kitten series” gradually builds immunity during the first few months, usually beginning with the first medical exam at around 6 weeks.

“Kitten Series” vaccines may include:

FVRCP (Feline Distemper) given at 6 weeks, at least three doses
Rabies given at 14 – 16 weeks
FeLv (Feline Leukemia) given at 8 and 12 weeks.

Please consult our Vaccinations tab on this page for more information on vaccines.

Food: Good quality kitten food is important, and many veterinarians recommend limiting dry food in favor of canned or moist cat food. Never give your kitten table food as it can cause intestinal problems and remember to keep fresh, clean water available at all times. Call our office for recommendations in feeding your new kitten.

Spaying / Neutering: We recommend spaying or neutering your kitten at around six months of age. An altered pet lives longer, and generally has fewer medical problems and a better temperament if this is done at an early age. Many unwanted kittens and adult cats are euthanized every year, and responsible pet owners do not contribute to this pet over-population problem.

Kitten Packages

Puppies And Kittens: Some Things To Avoid With Your New Pet

Never use over-the-counter parasite control for your puppy or kitten—it is often toxic. We will put together a parasite control plan with you at their first check-up.
Never transport your pet without an appropriate pet carrier or leave a young pet alone in a vehicle.
Never feed your puppy or kitten “human treats” without talking to the doctor first. Some examples of toxic foods: chocolate can cause an increased or irregular heart rate, grapes and raisins can cause kidney damage and failure, and onions and beets can cause anemia.
Never give your puppy or kitten over-the-counter medications: acetaminophen (Tylenol) is deadly to cats and extremely toxic to dogs, and all NSAIDs are toxic to dogs and cats.
Never allow your pet to eat grasses or plants until you know if they are safe. Young pets love to chew and many plants are toxic, especially Lilies, Rhododendron, and Azalea.

Vaccinations

When animals are born, their immune system is immature and vulnerable to infection. A nursing baby animal usually receives immunity from their mother’s milk in the first few days after birth. However, somewhere around 6 weeks of age, this immunity diminishes and we begin the process of vaccination.

In baby animals, the initial vaccines are often given intermittently, usually three to four weeks apart, to produce the best level of protection. Once the initial series is completed, vaccines may be given in two different ways: on a regular schedule, such as annually, or when exposure to specific diseases is heightened, like at a boarding kennel.

The American Animal Hospital Association has established guidelines for pet vaccination. Vaccinations are divided into two groups:

Core vaccines—Every pet should have these and some are even required by law.
Non-Core vaccines—Pets should receive these depending on their exposure risk.

Dogs
We typically recommend these types of canine core vaccines:

Distemper/Adenovirus/Parainfluenza/Parvovirus (DAPP) given in a 3-year vaccine
Rabies given in a 3-year vaccine

We typically recommend these types of non-core canine vaccines:

Leptospirosis given annually, as needed for exposure to livestock or wildlife in certain areas of the country
Bordetella (Kennel Cough) given every six months, as needed for boarding or showing

Cats
We typically recommend these types of feline core vaccines:

Feline Distemper (FVRCP) given in a 3-year vaccine
Rabies given every 3 years

We typically recommend these types of non-core feline vaccines:

Feline Leukemia (FeLv) given every 3 years, as needed if your cat goes outside”

Vaccination needs depend upon a wide range of variables, such as age and lifestyle. For example, a house cat’s medical profile is vastly different from that of a barn cat, just as the needs of a young hunting dog differ from those of an aging family pet. Your pet’s health plan is designed to be flexible, changing over time and circumstance. Vaccines may be added or eliminated, depending on such changes and for optimum long-term health. At Continental, we work with you to determine the appropriate vaccines for every animal, at every stage and for every lifestyle.

Wellness

Contact us as soon as a new animal has joined your household or your herd. At your first appointment, we design a wellness plan tailored to your needs, with the focus on the health and well-being of your animals.
The concept of “wellness” began with human healthcare and the trend toward preventive medicine. Veterinary practitioners soon expanded the practice of wellness planning to animals as a way to enhance quality of life, promote early diagnosis and treatment of emerging conditions or diseases, and to avoid or reduce suffering and pain.
Your pet’s wellness plan may include:

Annual exams—For vaccinations, diagnostic review, and behavioral issues
Dental care— Reduce oral chronic pain and maintain a healthy mouth
Nutrition—For healthy growth and long life
Exercise—For physical fitness and to prevent behavioral problems
Behavioral training—Emphasizing positive and safe techniques
Parasite control—To eliminate parasites and prevent future infestations
Animal proofing—Overall safety measures for either indoor or outdoor animals

Senior Pet Care

As animals age, they require changes in diet, exercise, and medical care. At Continental Animal Wellness Center, the senior pet is our most distinguished customer. A long and healthy life is our goal for every animal we treat. Insight, compassion, and respect for you and your senior pet is our standard of care.

The senior pet exam may include these additions to the typical wellness exam:

Blood work
Screening for diabetes, thyroid disease, and kidney or liver problems
X-rays
Ultrasound
Orthopedic evaluation
Oral and dental exams
Nutritional assessment

Weight gain and loss of energy often plague the aging pet and, just like humans, the answer is obvious: diet and a low-impact exercise regime. In your senior visit, we will review your pet’s diet and recommend changes as well as offering options for an amended exercise program.

Should your senior pet require more complex medical intervention, we are experienced in the following geriatric concerns:

We work with you to enhance the quality of life for your senior pet and to keep your companion safe, healthy, and vigorous for a long time.

Oral And Dental Health

Dental care has become a staple in animal health and wellness, and not just for dogs and cats. All animals, from horses to ferrets, require a good oral exam annually and dental intervention occasionally. Consistent care prevents tooth decay and gum disease, as well as the dreaded “doggy breath”.

Sadly, there are many negative consequences to ignoring oral hygiene in animals: poor nutrition due to inability to grind or chew foods; damage to heart, kidney, or liver from bacterial infections; weight loss; eye infections and vision impairment; chronic pain; and behavior problems. These difficulties are easily avoided by following a few precautions.

Regular cleaning of an animal’s teeth is just the beginning. Take time to look into your animal’s mouth to examine for healthy gums, intact teeth, and any abnormalities. You are your pet’s first defense in maintaining good oral health. Call us at once if you observe any of the following:

Bad breath
Broken or discolored teeth
Refusal to eat, especially dry food
Refusal to play with chew toys
Increase in drooling
Pawing the muzzle
Unusual discharge from the nose
Swelling or sores on the face, jaw, or around eyes
Mass or sores in the mouth
Sudden changes in behavior

Pets with dental problems may need to be sedated or anesthetized to treat them safely and humanely. We explain all the options and address any concerns you may have about such treatment and, as always, pain management for your animal is our top priority.

Dental Package

Various organizations offer in-depth information on this subject, such as the American Veterinary Dental College and the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry.