By the age of 3, 85% of all pets have dental disease. Dental disease causes bad breath, pain, and tooth loss. Bacteria form plaque and tartar on the teeth, causing dental disease. The bacteria then irritate the gum line, inflaming the gums and causing gingivitis.

If untreated, this can lead to periodontal disease, which can cause the loss of bone and support structure for the gums around the tooth, leading to eventual tooth loss. Additionally, the bacteria from dental disease can enter the bloodstream and potentially cause damage and infection in internal organs like the kidneys, liver, and heart.

Professional dental cleaning is required to remove plaque and tartar from the pet’s teeth and assess the mouth’s health.

Visit our Dental page to learn more and schedule an appointment.

Most pets need their teeth cleaned yearly to prevent tooth loss. This varies depending on the breed and habits of your pet. For instance, small dogs usually need their teeth cleaned annually, whereas large dogs often require less frequent cleanings. A veterinarian can perform an oral examination on your pet to determine if it needs their teeth cleaned.

Visit our Dental page to learn more and schedule an appointment.

Yes! Remember to properly care for your dog and cat’s teeth at home to help maintain their oral health between cleanings. Other oral home care options, such as dental-formulated foods, water additives, and dental treats, can also be part of a complete dental care plan.

Visit our Dental page to learn more and schedule an appointment.

Pre-Procedure Preparation
Before the dental procedure, your veterinarian will perform a full physical exam and blood tests to ensure your pet is safe to undergo anesthesia. An intravenous (IV) catheter will be placed for added safety.

Anesthesia and Monitoring
Your pet will be sedated and then put under anesthesia. Throughout the procedure, your pet will be closely monitored and given IV fluids to help maintain blood pressure and organ health.

Oral Exam and Cleaning
The veterinarian will conduct a thorough oral exam. The teeth will be cleaned with an ultrasonic scaler, a high-speed vibrating tool that removes large pieces of plaque and tartar. A hand scaler is used to clean under the gums and on all sides of each tooth.

Assessing Gum Health
Dental probes are used to check the depth of pockets between the teeth and gums; deep pockets can indicate periodontal disease. Dental X-rays may be recommended to evaluate the bone structure beneath the gums.

Final Steps
After all plaque and tartar are removed, the teeth are polished, and a fluoride treatment may be applied. Your pet will then be carefully watched as they recover from anesthesia.

Visit our Dental page to learn more and schedule an appointment.

Nutrition is crucial for your pet’s health. The foods you feed your pet will significantly impact its overall well-being.

We recommend feeding your dog healthy food free of dyes, fillers, and low-quality ingredients.

We recommend feeding your cat a healthy, all-natural, meat-based, or grain-free food free of dyes, fillers, and low-quality ingredients.

Discuss your pet’s diet and treats with your veterinarian during your regular exam. CityVet only stocks all-natural food that our veterinarians feed their pets and that we believe in.

Find your CityVet and schedule an appointment to inquire further about your pet’s diet.

Heartworm disease is a severe disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes and, if left untreated, can be fatal. Heartworm prevention is administered monthly, either by pill, topical application, or long-acting injectable heartworm prevention, which can be administered every 6 months in dogs.

Depending on the specific product you and your veterinarian choose for your pet, heartworm prevention may also prevent intestinal parasite infestations such as roundworms and hookworms and external parasites such as fleas and ticks. According to the American Heartworm Society guidelines, all dogs and cats should be given year-round (12 months) heartworm prevention, regardless of lifestyle, beginning at 8 weeks.

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We recommend annual testing to verify the effectiveness of the prevention program. The heartworm test involves a simple blood test. Pets with heartworm disease can become ill if put on heartworm prevention. Despite year-round prevention, there is still a possibility of product failure.

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Yes. Heartworm disease is transmitted through a mosquito bite, and mosquitoes are often found inside houses. The American Heartworm Society studies show the incidence of heartworm disease is just as high in indoor pets as in outdoor pets.

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No. Heartworm disease is a blood-borne disease that mosquitoes transmit. A simple blood test will confirm whether your dog has heartworm disease.

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Yes. While heartworm disease is more common in dogs, it is much more severe in cats. Even one heartworm can cause serious, often fatal, diseases in cats. Additionally, there is no treatment for cats. Heartworm disease is just as high in indoor cats as in outdoor cats. Therefore, it is recommended that all cats be on heartworm prevention.

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Vaccines are an essential part of your pet’s health care. Vaccines keep your pet healthy by preventing serious diseases. We will develop a vaccination schedule based on your pet’s lifestyle, health, and circumstances.

Find your CityVet to schedule an appointment to get your pet vaccinated and for any other inquiries.

Dogs: The first Rabies vaccine your pet receives is good for 1 year. A booster should be given 1 year after completing the initial puppy vaccine and every 3 years after unless state, provincial, or local requirements state otherwise.

Cats: Rabies is given yearly with a non-adjuvanted vaccine to avoid some potential side effects of the 3-year vaccination.

Find your CityVet to schedule an appointment to get your pet vaccinated and for any other inquiries.

Core vaccines are those immunizations recommended for all felines regardless of the stage of life or lifestyle due to factors such as the likelihood of infection, the threat posed to the pet’s health, or the risk of transmission to humans (zoonotic potential).

• Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Panleukopenia, and Calicivirus (FVRCP)—We recommend starting at the 8-week kitten visit with boosters at the 12-week and 16-week visits. Boosters need to be at least 3 weeks apart but not longer than 5 weeks apart to be effective. The last vaccine must be given at 16 weeks or older to be fully protective. Boosters should be given one year after completing the initial kitten vaccine and every 3 years thereafter.
• Rabies (RV) – For kittens, a single dose, using non-adjuvant vaccine, at 12 weeks or older. This is a single-dose vaccine with no booster needed. For cats, a 1-year, non-adjuvant vaccine is used annually, which has been proven to be safer than 3-year adjuvant vaccines in cats. Rabies vaccination is required by law.

Find your CityVet and book an appointment to get your pet vaccinated and for any other inquiries.

Core vaccines are those immunizations recommended for all canines regardless of the stage of life or lifestyle due to factors such as the likelihood of infection, the threat posed to the pet’s health, or the risk of transmission to humans (zoonotic potential).

• DA2PPV (Distemper, Parvo, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza) – We recommend starting at the 8-week puppy visit with boosters at the 12-week and 16-week puppy visits. Boosters need to be at least 3 weeks apart but not longer than 5 weeks apart to be effective. The last vaccine must be given at 16 weeks or older to be fully protective. A booster should be given 1 year after completing the initial puppy vaccines, and every 3 years thereafter.
• Bordetella (also known as the Kennel Cough Vaccine) – We recommend starting at the 8-week or 12-week puppy visits with a booster 3-5 weeks after the initial vaccine. This vaccine is recommended every 6 months for dogs regularly exposed to high-risk situations such as grooming, boarding, dayplay, and dog parks.
• Rabies (RV)—This vaccine is recommended at the 12 or 16-week puppy visit. It is a single-dose vaccine, and no booster is needed. Rabies vaccination is required by law. A booster should be given one year after completing the initial puppy vaccine and every three years thereafter unless state, provincial, or local requirements stipulate otherwise.
• Canine Influenza – within the previous 12 months; puppies or unvaccinated adults must have a minimum of 2 boosters (one at or after 16 weeks).

Find your CityVet and book an appointment to get your pet vaccinated and for any other inquiries.

Non-core vaccines are given depending on your cat’s exposure risk. Conversations with your veterinarian regarding the risks and benefits will help determine a vaccine regimen that provides the safest and best protection for your pet.

• Feline Leukemia (FeLV) – Recommended at 12 and 16 weeks of age (minimum of 2 boosters; one at or after 16 weeks using non-adjuvant vaccine) and recommended annually after the initial kitten vaccines to at-risk cats (with outdoor exposure). We recommend the 1 year, non-adjuvant vaccine.

Find your CityVet and book an appointment to get your pet vaccinated and for any other inquiries.

Non-core vaccines are given depending on your dog’s exposure risk. Conversations with your veterinarian regarding the risks and benefits will help determine a vaccine regimen that provides the safest and best protection for your pet.

• Leptospirosis—We recommend starting at the 12-week puppy visit with one booster 3-5 weeks after the initial vaccine. Boosters are given annually after the initial puppy vaccines.

This immunization is considered non-core at this time. CityVet only recommends this vaccine for at-risk dogs (exposed via boarding, day play, grooming, dog park, etc.) based on risk assessment by your veterinarian or in the face of an outbreak. It should be considered for dogs exposed to wildlife environments like ponds or when urban and rural wildlife share the environment with your dog.

Find your CityVet and book an appointment to get your pet vaccinated and for any other inquiries.

Regular physical exams by a veterinarian are an essential part of a proactive and preventive approach to help keep your dog and/or cat healthy and happy. Wellness check-ups play a vital role in the early detection of serious illnesses.

Because our pets age more rapidly than people, changes in health status may occur much quicker. General physical exams are recommended every 6 months. These 6-month exams are especially important for pets older than 5 years of age.

We recommend scheduling exams for puppies and kittens at 8, 12, and 16 weeks.

Find your CityVet to schedule an appointment for your pet’s veterinary exam.

Routine laboratory screening (blood testing) is recommended for all pets as part of a comprehensive preventive health care program. In young adults, normal values serve as a baseline against which changes can be measured as your pet ages. This aids in the early detection and management of many diseases and conditions. Annual health screens are especially important in senior pets and those with chronic medical conditions.

Find your CityVet to schedule an appointment for your pet’s blood testing.

Microchipping is a very popular and safe way to permanently identify your pet and link it to you, ensuring it can be returned if lost. If your pet is ever lost and transported to a shelter, the shelter can use a scanner similar to one found in the grocery store to contact you.

In addition to a collar, we advise you to use this identification system on your pet.

Some cities require microchipping for pet registration.

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Senior cats face many of the same challenges and life stage changes as senior humans. Like people, senior cats need more care and attention than younger cats. Your senior cat should be examined by your veterinarian at least twice a year. Regular check-ups by your vet are the best method for early disease detection and preventative care, which are vital to ensuring your cat lives a long and healthy life.

These tests are recommended for cats starting at an average age of 7, depending on the size and lifestyle of your cat.

• Complete Blood Count (CBC), Serum Chemistry, and Urinalysis – These tests check for signs of diabetes, liver and kidney disease, thyroid problems, anemia and platelet disorders, and electrolyte imbalances. Checking these early can help prevent or treat any of these issues from becoming a big problem and help extend your cat’s life.
• Digital Radiographs (X-ray) – X-rays show internal structures, so we can quickly diagnose many conditions that can’t seen by just looking at your pet. Pictures of tissues, organs, bones, and foreign objects like swallowed items or bladder stones can also be seen.
• FAST Scan Ultrasound—Ultrasounds help us look inside the bladder, kidneys, prostate, or uterus. If your pet is having problems urinating, has recurrent infections, or has bloodwork that shows kidney problems or infection, an ultrasound can be invaluable.

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