Pet Preventive Care in Dunbar, Vancouver

Routine preventive care is the single biggest predictor of a long, healthy life for a dog or cat. Vaccinations, parasite prevention, microchipping, and the everyday check-ins that catch problems before they grow all sit in one category for good reason. Our team approaches preventive care for dog and cat families across Dunbar and Vancouver's West Side as the foundation that everything else builds on. From puppy and kitten visits through senior wellness, our preventive care covers the protections every pet needs and the sedated care options for pets who find the clinic stressful.

Pet preventive care is the routine veterinary care that protects dogs and cats from preventable disease before symptoms appear. It includes vaccinations, parasite prevention, microchipping, dental checks, nail trims, and regular wellness exams, all delivered on a schedule matched to your pet's age, lifestyle, and exposure risk.

Vaccinations for Dogs and Cats in Vancouver

Vaccinations are the strongest single tool Veterinarians have to prevent serious illness in pets. Our team uses a lifestyle-based vaccine protocol, which means we tailor the vaccine schedule to your pet's age, environment, and exposure risk rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Core vaccines protect against the diseases every dog or cat is likely to encounter; non-core vaccines respond to specific lifestyle risks such as boarding, hiking, or outdoor cat access. Vaccine titres are available when re-vaccination decisions need extra context, and booster schedules are tracked in your pet's record so reminders arrive on time. Vaccination visits also serve as a regular wellness check, since the same appointment can flag emerging concerns early.

Parasite Prevention: Flea, Tick, Heartworm, and Deworming

Parasite prevention is year-round work on the West Coast. Fleas survive Vancouver's mild winters, ticks are increasingly common in the parks and trails Dunbar families use, and heartworm risk follows travel to other parts of the country. Our team builds a prevention plan that matches what your pet actually does, week to week. Flea and tick prevention, heartworm protection, and a regular deworming schedule together cover the parasites most likely to affect dogs and cats locally. We also review prevention against intestinal parasites at each wellness visit, especially for pets that interact with other animals at parks, daycare, or boarding facilities.

Microchipping, Nail Trims, and Everyday Preventive Services

Microchipping is a small permanent identification that gives your pet the strongest chance of being returned home if they are ever lost. We register the chip on the day of placement so it is active immediately, and we update the registration if your contact details change. Routine nail trims, ear cleaning, and anal gland care round out the everyday preventive services many pets need on a regular schedule. These can be combined with a wellness visit or booked on their own, and our team is happy to demonstrate at-home maintenance for owners who want to handle some of this between visits.

Sedated Care for Anxious or Matted Pets

Not every pet finds a clinic visit easy. For dogs and cats who become severely stressed during routine handling, or for cats with mats that cannot be safely combed out, our team offers sedated care. Sedated nail trims, sedated lion shaves for matted cats, dematting, and medicated baths all happen in clinic with full anaesthetic monitoring.

Senior Pet Preventive Care in Vancouver

Pets become senior earlier than most owners realise. For most dogs, that is around age seven; for large breeds, sooner. Cats typically reach senior status around age ten. The screening that matters at this stage is different from the screening that matters at age two. Senior wellness exams add baseline bloodwork, blood pressure monitoring, urine analysis, and a closer look at weight, mobility, and the behaviour changes that owners sometimes attribute to ageing but that can signal early disease. We recommend twice-yearly wellness visits for senior pets so we can catch changes between major exams.

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FAQs

How often does my dog or cat need a wellness exam?

Adult dogs and cats benefit from a full wellness exam once a year, while puppies, kittens, and senior pets (dogs over seven, cats over ten) typically need a check-up every six months. Wellness exam frequency is one of the strongest predictors of catching disease early, when it is most manageable.

What vaccines does my pet really need?

Every dog and cat needs core vaccines that protect against the most serious common diseases. Beyond that, we look at your pet’s lifestyle to decide on non-core vaccines, since exposure risk for conditions like leptospirosis or boarding-related illness varies a lot between pets. Our team builds the schedule together with you at the first wellness visit.

How much does preventive care for a dog or cat cost?

Preventive care costs vary based on your pet’s age, size, and the specific services included. We provide written estimates before any work and walk you through what is recommended versus what is optional so you can make an informed decision. For clients with Trupanion, we direct-bill at checkout.

Can I do my dog's nail trim at home?

Many owners trim their dog’s nails at home with practice, especially with a calm, cooperative dog. Cats are typically easier at home as long as they tolerate handling. For pets who struggle with home nail trims, or for any pet whose nails have grown into the pad, our team handles trims in clinic with or without sedation depending on the pet’s comfort level.

Book your pet's preventive care visit today. Call (604) 221-5858 or use our online booking system to schedule vaccinations, microchipping, parasite prevention, or a full wellness exam at Alta Vista Animal Hospital in Dunbar.