Physicals & Vaccines

There’s a big difference between you and your pet – your pet can't talk.

So how do you know if your pet is sick?

While you may be able to sense that your cat, dog or other animal companion is not well, the simple fact that they can’t tell you exactly how they feel can give what is at best a blurry picture of their well-being. And clever as they may be, they can’t explain to you the abnormal temperature they feel, the pain from bladder stones, an irregular heart rate, strain in the eyes or any other ailment that is making them unhappy and suffer.

Regular physical examinations and vaccination are a sure way to feel more confident that your pet is healthy.

At North King Animal Clinic in Northampton, we use our expertise as a team of veterinary professionals to help you overcome the “language barrier” between you and your loved animal. We look at your animal’s weight, blood pressure rate, dental condition, reflexes, among other signifiers.

Identifying the symptoms of a serious health issue early on is paramount to a successful treatment. When you bring your pet in for a physical examination, we are able to assess general health, detecting any early signs of disease, infection or other serious issues affecting how your companion feels. Once you have a more accurate picture of your loved animal’s health, you’ll leave our animal clinic more at ease, allowing you the peace of mind to enjoy all the benefits of the companionship of your animal.

In terms of avoiding infectious diseases, scheduled vaccination is the only way to really ensure your pet stays clear of a very complicated, painful illness.

Vaccines for dogs primarily target rabies, Lyme disease, leptospirosis and bordetella (commonly known as “kennel cough”). While rabies and Lyme disease are more well-known, leptospirosis (also known as Weil’s syndrome, canicola fever or canefield fever) and bordetella are given less publicity, but they are no less dangerous.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Leptospira. It is transmitted through the urine of one animal to another, which is why it is so prevalent among canines. You know how usual it is for your dog to smell or lick grass, trees or other areas where other dogs have urinated, so this disease is a real concern for any dog owner. Mice, too, can carry the infection into the home, making a dog even more susceptible. Worse still, the infection is communicable to humans, putting you and your family at risk. The disease causes high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches and vomiting. Jaundice, irritated eyes, stomach pain, diarrhea and a rash have also been reported to occur. Leptospirosis attacks a dog’s liver and kidney, and can cause permanent damage. More worryingly, the clinical treatment of this infection is complicated and costly.

Kennel cough, or infectious tracheobronchitis, is another painful disease that can be avoided altogether through vaccination. Not unlike the flu we try to avoid every winter, kennel cough is an upper respiratory infection. Unlike the flu, kennel cough may itself be a symptom of another health concern: heart disease, heartworm, pneumonia or allergies.

There are also definite viral health risks to your cat’s health. These include rabies, distemper (feline panleukopenia) and feline leukemia (FIV). A number of different diseases are covered by distemper and FIV – the appropriate vaccine administration can help keep your cat safe and healthy.