Primary Care

Our routine wellness visits include a full nose-to-tail exam to check all facets of your pet’s health. We recommend that your pet receives a wellness exam every 6-12 months, even if they seem fit and healthy. Regular wellness exams allow us to catch underlying health problems early, provide consistent preventative care, and routinely support your pet’s overall health and wellbeing.  

Between your routine wellness exams, your pet may show signs that something is not quite optimal with their health. Our veterinarians are incredibly skilled in diagnosing common problems that affect our pets like vomiting, itching, lumps, limping and more.  

If your pet is exhibiting any unusual behavior or symptoms, schedule a sick/illness exam with your local primary care clinic to have them all checked out. During this exam, your veterinarian will examine areas of concern, run necessary tests, and provide advice and/or treatment options to help bring your pet back to their usual spritely selves.  

Pet vaccines are an essential component of preventative care and significantly increase their chances of a longer life with you. There are some highly contagious, untreatable diseases that can be completely avoided by ensuring your pet is consistently up to date with their vaccinations.  

From routine cleanings to tooth extractions, the Thrive Pet Healthcare network of Primary Care veterinarians and Dental Specialists is here to keep your pet's smile fresh! Our general practices can take care of everyday dental maintenance with outstanding regular check-ins, cleanings, and basic surgeries.  

Meanwhile, our specialty veterinarians are prepared to handle more complex or chronic dental cases like a root abscess, jaw fracture, abnormal tooth formation, or advanced periodontal disease. These doctors are highly trained within the field of veterinary dentistry and have access to specialized equipment, typically unavailable at primary care clinics. 

At Thrive, we offer outpatient Spay and Neutering surgeries which allow your pet to be fixed in one day with no overnight worries! Unless you intend to use your pet for breeding purposes, we strongly recommend having your pet spay or neutered. Pets that have been fixed tend to live longer and healthier lives, meanwhile you don’t run the risk of having to welcome an unexpected litter into your home! 

Skin problems in pets are one of the most common reasons for vet visits in the US. Oftentimes, signs like frequent itching, licking paws, hair loss, or red and inflamed skin alert pet parents to a potential skin condition. Dermatological problems can be incredibly uncomfortable for your pet, so it is important to not delay getting them checked out by your veterinarian. 

Skin problems may be the result of bacterial or fungal infections, parasites, allergies, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, or immune system disorders. During your visit, your veterinarian will run some tests to diagnose the root of your pet’s issue and together, we will determine the best treatment strategy so he or she can Thrive again! 

Lab screening, which includes blood testing and urinalysis, can be used to both diagnose symptoms of illness and as a preventative health measure. These tests can find any underlying conditions, like heartworm, that don’t typically present symptoms until significant damage has been done. We recommend annual comprehensive blood tests for all middle-aged and older pets to check internal organ function, hormone levels (see below) and to test for those underlying conditions.  

Radiology is the use of imaging to help diagnose health conditions. There are various types of scans but the most common performed in primary pet care clinics include X-Ray (shows images of bones), Ultrasound (provides view of internal organs), Endoscopy (examines the gastrointestinal system), and sometimes an Echocardiogram (diagnoses heart abnormalities).  

Fleas can cause itchy skin, skin infections, and spread tapeworms. Meanwhile ticks carry several diseases that can cause serious health problems for your pet, such as Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis, and more. Our teams at Thrive Pet Healthcare are dedicated to helping your pet live a parasite-free with personalized advice and prevention options. 

Another key component of helping to maintain your pet’s health and happiness is having them on reliable, consistent heartworm preventative.  

Heartworm disease is serious and potentially fatal to our dogs and cats. Heartworms are spread by mosquito bites and can grow up to a foot long, living in the heart and lungs of our beloved pets.  

At Thrive Pet Healthcare, veterinary surgeons work on a whole host of pet surgery needs. Some pets are referred to veterinary surgeons by their family vet, while others are treated during walk-in emergency cases like fractures, intense bleeding, and much more.   

These professionals have taken additional schooling, training, and testing to gain the skills and knowledge to perform surgery in many different areas of veterinary medicine so they are ready to tackle a vast array of cases that come through their surgical suite.   

Your pet’s overall health and longevity is largely determined by their diet. With a diet tailored towards your pet’s unique needs, you can help them manage allergies, chronic health conditions like kidney disease, and prevent nutrient deficiencies and weight-related diseases like diabetes.  

To help find the ideal diet for your pet, schedule a wellness appointment or nutrition consultation with your veterinarian. During this visit, your veterinarian will conduct a physical exam of your pet and assess their medical history. From here, they will work with you to produce options of specific brands and types of food that will best fit your pet’s unique needs.  

Did you know that a pet is lost every 7 seconds in the US? That is a chilling statistic for all of us pet parents who dread the thought of ever loosing our fur-child. Thankfully, by microchipping your pet, you can significantly increase the chances of a reunion should they ever slip through that cracked door or jump the fence. Many of our Thrive Primary Care Hospitals can microchip your pet during their routine wellness exam, and even help you register their number for free! 

Saying goodbye is never easy. We are not going to claim that we can make these experiences any less difficult, but we do promise to be by your side during this time of need to offer both medical assistance and emotional support. Whether your pet needs pain relief as they near the end or the time has come to let them pass on, your primary care doctor will carefully walk you through your choices, the financial implications of each cause of action, and step into your shoes to offer a recommendation that comes from empathy and true understanding.