Preventative Care
Preventative care for dogs and cats in Minnetonka, MN. Schedule a wellness exam at Gehrman Animal Hospital for proactive, personalized pet health.
Preventative Care for Dogs and Cats in Minnetonka, MN
Providing pets with lifelong health and comfort begins with early detection and consistent wellness visits. Preventative care is one of the most effective ways to catch issues before they become serious, saving you stress and potentially reducing long-term costs. For families across Minnetonka and surrounding areas, Gehrman Animal Hospital delivers preventive veterinary care that’s both thoughtful and thorough.
Though vaccines are an essential part of this service, they are just one element of a much broader approach. Preventative care includes physical exams, lab testing, parasite control, lifestyle advice, and more—because a healthy pet needs both external and internal check-ups on a regular basis.
What Preventative Care Includes
Preventative care is the foundation of lifelong wellness for dogs and cats. These visits aren’t just for updating vaccines—they’re a chance for your veterinarian to assess overall health, track trends, and catch early signs of illness. Each element of care is chosen to help pets stay comfortable, active, and healthy at every life stage.
Preventative care typically includes:
- Annual or bi-annual physical exams
- Core and lifestyle-specific vaccinations
- Routine blood work and urinalysis
- Fecal exams to check for internal parasites
- Year-round flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
- Nutritional and behavioral guidance
- Dental evaluations and home care tips
- Monitoring of weight, joints, and age-related changes
Whether your pet is young, adult, or senior, the goal is the same: early identification of concerns and clear guidance on how to support long-term health.
Wellness Exams
Wellness exams are important for monitoring your pet’s health and catching early signs of illness. Each visit includes a full head-to-tail physical assessment, and cover the heart, lungs, eyes, ears, teeth, joints, skin, and more. These exams help establish a health baseline and allow veterinarians to detect subtle changes over time.
Yearly checkups are recommended for adult pets, while younger and senior pets may need more frequent visits. From early development to aging support, wellness exams at Gehrman Animal Hospital are tailored to your pet’s life stage and focused on keeping them healthy, active, and comfortable.
Laboratory Testing
Laboratory testing is an important part of preventative veterinary care, offering a deeper look into your pet’s health beyond what can be seen during a physical exam. Even when pets appear outwardly healthy, routine lab work can reveal early signs of disease or imbalances before symptoms are noticeable. That’s why wellness visits often include lab work.
Routine lab testing helps detect:
- Kidney and liver changes
- Thyroid imbalances
- Diabetes
- Infections
- Blood disorders
- Electrolyte disturbances
Standard tests like a CBC, chemistry panel, thyroid screening, and urinalysis provide important insights into your pet’s internal health. These tests can be tailored based on age, breed, or specific concerns and help establish a baseline for future comparison.
Lab work is also key in monitoring chronic conditions, checking medication safety, and diagnosing unexplained symptoms. At Gehrman Animal Hospital, routine screenings allow us to detect changes early and guide appropriate follow-up care, supporting a longer, healthier life for your pet.
Parasite Prevention
Fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, and heartworms are more than just seasonal nuisances—they can be dangerous to your pet’s health. Preventive medications are safe, effective, and an important part of every pet’s wellness routine.
Minnesota’s varied climate doesn’t eliminate parasite risk in the colder months. Fleas can live indoors, ticks remain active in cool temperatures, and mosquitoes that spread heartworm can reappear quickly after a warm snap. Gehrman Animal Hospital recommends year-round protection tailored to your pet’s age, size, and lifestyle.
Annual fecal exams are also included in many wellness plans to ensure your pet is free of internal parasites that might go unnoticed.
Customized Wellness for Every Pet
Each pet has unique health needs based on age, breed, lifestyle, and medical history. Gehrman Animal Hospital creates personalized wellness plans that evolve with your pet—from frequent visits and vaccinations in early life to advanced monitoring and comfort care in their senior years.
Whether it’s adjusting nutrition, managing chronic conditions, or tailoring parasite prevention, care is always based on what’s most appropriate for your dog or cat. This individualized approach helps catch issues early, avoids unnecessary treatments, and ensures your pet receives the attention they deserve at every stage of life.
What Sets Our Team Apart
Veterinary care should be more than clinical—it should feel personal, supportive, and consistent. At Gehrman Animal Hospital, we’ve built our practice around meaningful relationships, local values, and a commitment to doing what’s right for your pet. Here’s what truly makes our team different:
Private Ownership
Gehrman Animal Hospital is an independently owned veterinary practice. This gives our team the freedom to make patient-focused decisions without the limitations of corporate policies. Every choice—from treatment plans to service offerings—is made with your pet’s best interest at heart.
Community-Based and Consistent
We’re proud to be part of the Minnetonka community and many of our clients have trusted us with their pets for years. You’ll often see the same familiar faces at each visit, helping build continuity and trust.
Compassionate, Relationship-Driven Care
Our goal is to make every visit a positive experience for both pets and their people. We listen closely, explain clearly, and work together with you to keep your pet healthy. Whether it’s a simple wellness check or a more complex health concern, you’re never just a number here.
Core Values in Action
Gehrman Animal Hospital is guided by four core values: Accountability in following through with care, compassion for every pet and family, connection through lasting relationships, and resourcefulness in creating practical, personalized solutions.
Early Detection, Lasting Protection |
Schedule Your Preventive Visit Today!
Consistency is one of the most important gifts you can give your pet. Preventative care isn’t just about vaccines and check-ups—it’s about protecting your dog or cat’s comfort, vitality, and quality of life at every stage. Whether your pet is due for their annual exam or you’re setting up a wellness plan for a new puppy or kitten, we’re here to help you take that next step. Call Gehrman Animal Hospital at (952) 545-9161 today!
Do you still have questions?
Call us at (952) 545-9161 or email us at reception@gehrman-animal.com.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Preventative Care
How often should my dog or cat have a wellness exam?
Most pets should have a wellness exam once a year. Senior pets or those managing chronic conditions may need more frequent visits—usually every six months.
What vaccines will my pet need?
Core vaccines like rabies and distemper are recommended for all pets. Based on lifestyle, our veterinarians may recommend additional vaccines like Bordetella, leptospirosis, or feline leukemia.
Why is blood work important if my pet looks healthy?
Routine lab testing can reveal underlying issues such as organ dysfunction or metabolic changes before symptoms appear. Early detection means more treatment options and less stress for your pet.
Is parasite prevention necessary all year?
Yes, even in colder seasons. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes can still pose threats, and many intestinal parasites are picked up from outdoor environments or other animals. Year-round protection ensures your pet stays covered.
What can I do to support my aging pet?
Keep up with regular exams, monitor weight and mobility, and talk to your veterinarian about supplements, pain management, or dietary adjustments. Early intervention is key to comfort and vitality in senior pets
