Preventative Care in Prescott, AZ

Preventative care is the routine veterinary work that keeps healthy pets healthy: yearly or twice-yearly wellness exams, core and lifestyle vaccinations, parasite control, and early-detection screenings calibrated to your pet's age, breed, and outdoor habits in Yavapai County.

What's included in a wellness visit

• A nose-to-tail physical exam covering body condition, dental health, eyes, ears, heart, lungs, abdomen, joints, skin, and coat
• Core vaccines (rabies, DAPP for dogs, FVRCP for cats) plus lifestyle vaccines (Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Canine Influenza, FeLV, rattlesnake) where appropriate
• Year-round flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
• Annual fecal screen for intestinal parasites
• Age-appropriate bloodwork and urinalysis
• Dental health check and cleaning recommendation
• Weight, body condition score, and nutritional review
• Behavioral and lifestyle guidance

Signs your pet may need a wellness check sooner

• Drinking or urinating more than usual
• Weight loss or gain without diet changes
• New lumps, bumps, or skin changes
• Bad breath, drooling, or reluctance to eat
• Shifts in energy, sleep, or activity level
• Limping, stiffness, or trouble on stairs
• Coughing, sneezing, or eye and nose discharge

What to expect at your visit

A wellness visit takes 30 to 45 minutes. We start with weight and a quick health-history review with our team, then Dr. Bason or Dr. Siens performs a full physical exam. We walk you through what we find, run any age-appropriate diagnostics on the spot, give vaccines if they are due, and send you home with prevention products tailored to your pet's lifestyle. You will leave with a written summary of what we did and what we recommend next.

Why preventative care matters

Pets age faster than people. A year between visits is the equivalent of four to seven human years, so problems that feel sudden to you have often been developing for months. Catching kidney disease, heart murmurs, dental disease, or thyroid issues early generally costs less, requires less aggressive treatment, and adds quality time. Wellness care also keeps your pet up to date for boarding, grooming, and travel.

Living with pets in Prescott

Northern Arizona pets face risks that are not on every generic checklist. Valley fever (a fungal disease caused by Coccidioides) is endemic to Yavapai County, particularly along disturbed soil and washes. Rattlesnakes are active March through October on most local trails. Foxtail grass awns peak in late spring and can lodge in paws, ears, and noses. Pavement and granite surfaces routinely exceed 140°F in summer afternoons. Mosquito-borne heartworm has been confirmed locally, so prevention runs year round. Your wellness plan is built around where you and your pet actually spend time, not a one-size-fits-all schedule.

Frequently asked questions

How often should my pet have a wellness exam?

Healthy adult dogs and cats should be examined once a year. Puppies and kittens need a series of visits roughly every three to four weeks until about 16 weeks of age. We typically recommend twice-yearly exams once a pet reaches about seven years (large breeds) or about ten years (small dogs and cats), since age-related changes can move quickly in senior pets.

Which vaccines does my pet actually need?

Every dog in Arizona needs rabies (required by state law) and DAPP (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza). Every cat needs rabies and FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia). Lifestyle vaccines depend on what your pet does. Dogs that hike, board, or attend daycare typically need Bordetella and Canine Influenza. Outdoor cats and kittens need FeLV. The rattlesnake vaccine is worth discussing for dogs that hike off-leash in the Prescott National Forest or around Granite Mountain.

What parasite prevention do you recommend?

Year-round prevention is the standard in northern Arizona, even through winter. Fleas and ticks survive our mild seasons, mosquito-borne heartworm has been confirmed in Yavapai County, and intestinal parasites move freely between wildlife and pets. We dispense monthly oral or topical products and match the combination to your pet's species, weight, and lifestyle.

Do you run bloodwork at every visit?

Not always. Puppies and kittens get a baseline once. Healthy adults get screening blood and urine roughly every other year. Seniors get full diagnostics yearly. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is required before any sedation or surgery. We will recommend specific tests based on your pet's age, breed, and any symptoms you have noticed.

My pet seems healthy. Is a wellness visit really necessary?

Yes. Cats especially are very good at hiding illness. Many of the conditions we catch on routine exams (heart murmurs, early kidney disease, dental disease, oral masses, eye changes) cause no obvious symptoms until they are advanced. A 30-minute exam each year is the single highest-return investment you can make in your pet's long-term health.

How much does a wellness visit cost?

Office exam fees, vaccines, fecal tests, and prevention products are priced separately so you only pay for what your pet actually needs. Please call us at (928) 771-1340 for current pricing. We are happy to give you a quote before your visit so there are no surprises.

Related services: Internal Medicine & Diagnostics, Dental Care, Nutritional Services.

Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Bason, DVM. Last reviewed May 1, 2026.