Skip to content Every life stage brings different health priorities for your dog or cat. At Elgin Park Animal Hospital in South Surrey, our wellness program provides age-appropriate care that evolves with your pet as they grow, mature, and age. From the energy and curiosity of puppyhood and kittenhood to the quieter needs of the senior years, we are here with the right care at the right time. Call (604) 531-3394 or book online to get started.
The first year of a puppy's life involves a series of important health milestones: starting the vaccine series, establishing parasite prevention, beginning socialization, and setting nutritional foundations that support healthy growth. At Elgin Park Animal Hospital, puppy wellness visits include a physical examination, core and lifestyle vaccine administration, parasite screening and prevention planning, nutritional guidance, and advice on socialization and behavioral development. We also discuss spay and neuter timing appropriate for your puppy's breed and size, and we make sure you feel confident heading into each new stage. Puppy visits are typically scheduled every three to four weeks until the primary vaccine series is complete.
Kittens grow and change rapidly in their first year. Wellness visits during this stage cover the FVRCP and Rabies vaccine series, FeLV vaccination for at-risk kittens, intestinal parasite screening and deworming, flea prevention, spay and neuter planning, and guidance on litter box success, enrichment, and behavioral development. We discuss indoor versus outdoor risks, appropriate nutrition for growth, and how to establish positive handling habits that make future veterinary visits easier for both you and your cat. Kitten wellness visits are typically scheduled every three to four weeks through the completion of the primary series.
Once your dog or cat reaches adulthood, the focus of wellness care shifts to maintenance, prevention, and early detection. Annual wellness exams for adult pets include a full physical assessment, vaccine review and updates, parasite prevention planning, dental health evaluation, weight and nutritional assessment, and discussion of any behavioral or lifestyle changes. Annual bloodwork is increasingly recommended for adult dogs and cats even before they reach senior age, as it establishes a baseline for future comparison. Catching a change early, before symptoms appear, consistently leads to better outcomes and lower long-term costs.
Senior dogs and cats have different health needs and benefit from more frequent wellness visits and more comprehensive screening. We define senior as age seven and above for most dogs and cats, and earlier for giant breeds. Senior wellness visits at Elgin Park Animal Hospital include a thorough physical examination, geriatric bloodwork panel (including thyroid testing and urinalysis), dental assessment, joint and mobility evaluation, weight and nutritional review, and discussion of pain management options if appropriate. We approach senior care with attention to quality of life, helping your aging companion remain comfortable, active, and engaged for as long as possible.
Annual wellness visits are recommended for healthy adult dogs and cats. Senior pets benefit from visits every six months given the faster rate of health change in older animals. If your pet has an ongoing health condition, more frequent monitoring may be recommended. Regular wellness visits are the most reliable way to catch health changes early, when they are most manageable.
A puppy wellness visit includes a full physical examination, any vaccines due at that stage, intestinal parasite screening and deworming if indicated, flea and tick prevention discussion, nutritional guidance, and conversation about socialization milestones and spay/neuter timing. We also take time to answer any questions you have about puppy behavior, feeding schedules, and what to expect next. Call (604) 531-3394 to book your puppy’s first visit.
We recommend transitioning to semi-annual wellness visits and a geriatric bloodwork panel starting at age seven for most cats. Persian and other brachycephalic breeds may benefit from starting earlier. Senior visits allow us to detect kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and dental disease before they cause significant symptoms. Early detection makes these conditions much more manageable.
Yes. Annual geriatric bloodwork is one of the most valuable investments in your senior dog’s health. Bloodwork changes often precede clinical symptoms by months. Detecting early kidney changes, thyroid dysfunction, or elevated liver values before your dog feels unwell means we can intervene sooner and slow progression. We include bloodwork as a routine recommendation at all senior wellness visits.
Book your pet's wellness visit at Elgin Park Animal Hospital in South Surrey. Open Monday to Saturday from 9 AM to 9 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Call (604) 531-3394 or book online at elginparkvets.ca/make-an-appointment/.
