3961 Hastings Street

Burnaby, BC V5C 2H8

604 291 6666

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Adult Care

A beagle dog is sitting in the wild flowers field.

Tips on Adult Care

Thorough Monitoring is Key in Care for Adult Dogs

At Hastings Veterinary Hospital, we seek to provide the best possible care for adult dogs once they’re grown up from their puppy stages. Annual check-ups and scheduled vaccinations are an essential part of adult dog care, as it will give them the best chance for a long and healthy life.

Always attentive

What to Expect at an Annual Check-up

Your veterinarian will conduct a full physical examination of your pup and evaluate the following:

  • Heart – to listen to the rhythm and heart rate, and to detect murmurs
  • Lungs – to listen for any unusual sounds
  • Abdomen – to feel for and identify signs of pain, or for abnormal size and shape of various organs
  • Eyes – to detect early signs of eye problems, including cataracts in older dogs
  • Ears – to check for infection or parasites
  • Teeth – to look for plaque and tartar buildup, gum disease, or tooth injuries
  • Weight – to track unexplained weight loss or possible obesity
  • Skin and coat – to look for external parasites, bacterial, and fungal infections
  • Musculoskeletal system – for any signs of illness or injury

You will also be asked about their behaviour, grooming, and eating habits as well as any concerns you may have.

They will receive any vaccinations needed, depending on their likely exposure to other animals and outdoor risks. They will be treated for fleas and parasites if any are found.

We will be happy to advise you on the best diet for your dog, good grooming practices, nail clipping, skin care, and medications that may be prescribed. Please don’t hesitate to call or discuss this in person with us during your dog’s checkup.

vaccines

Vaccinating Your Dog is Essential to Living a Long Life

Our clinic keeps track of your dog’s vaccinations so that there are no interruptions to their protection. Adult dogs develop immunity to many diseases to which little pups are prone, but they still need additional protection for some diseases such as hepatitis, Leptospirosis, distemper, Bordetella (a.k.a. kennel cough), Lyme disease, and parvovirus. The best way to figure out how often to vaccinate your adult dog is to speak with your veterinarian.

Fleas and parasites are also a big problem in the Burnaby area and prevention is key to avoiding the spread of diseases. We will advise you on the best preventative solutions for your dog. Depending on their lifestyle and how great exposure to fleas is in your area, we can apply topical and oral solutions to your dog for flea and pest prevention.

Visit our vaccinations page for more details.

Surgical Procedures

Parasite Prevention

Fleas and parasites are also a big problem in the Burnaby area and prevention is key to avoiding the spread of diseases. We will advise you on the best preventative solutions for your dog. Depending on their lifestyle and how great exposure to fleas is in your area, we can apply topical or oral solutions to your dog for flea and parasite prevention.

Our veterinary clinic recommends you do fecal testing on your adult dog at least annually. This will help identify and keep parasites such as tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms out of your dog’s life.

Ticks are prevalent in the hotter seasons of the year so preventative solutions are a must in order to keep diseases such as Lyme disease away. Do not hesitate to bring your dog to an animal hospital should a tick be found on your pet.

Emergency Care – What to Look For

If you notice anything abnormal or if your dog is injured, seek care as soon as possible. If you are not sure how serious the problem may be, bring him or her to our clinic and we will be happy to assess them.

Signs of an Emergency: 

  • Rapid and laborious breathing
  • Difficulty or inability to stand
  • Injury to paw or limb
  • Wound, stabs, punctures
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Seizures or convulsions
  • Paralysis
  • Extreme changes in temperature, very high or very low
  • Burns—chemical or fire
  • Eye injury
  • Electric shock
  • Poisoning—vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, listlessness
  • Abscesses

Remember that animals become aggressive when they are injured or in serious pain. In any emergency situation, before you approach your dog, it is best to call our clinic right away and our staff can provide supportive advice.

To learn more about care for older dogs after their puppy years, visit our clinic and discuss any concerns you have and what to do to keep him or her in the best of health. Visit us at Unit 102 at 3961 Hastings Street, Burnaby, BC, V5C 2H8; or phone: 604‐291‐6666.

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