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Preventive Services

A simple way you can help keep your pet healthy is by protecting him or her against parasites. Heartworms, fleas, ticks, and other internal and external parasites are much more than just pests; they can cause life-threatening conditions in your pet—and cause severe, potentially fatal, health problems for you and your family. We will recommend the best preventive regimen for your pet, based on lifestyle and risk factors. We can also provide expert advice on keeping your whole household safe from parasitic infection. Set up an appointment with us to discuss parasite prevention, or call us to refill your pet’s medication. Protect your pet and your family today!

Yearly Exams

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Although your cat or dog may currently seem healthy, a yearly exam may help detect an early disease process and with appropriate treatment, ultimately increase your time together. A yearly physical will show any subtle changes to their health and behavior which will be compared to their previous medical history. This information is important to us because dogs and cats age much quicker and the risk of diseases that affect the cardiac, hepatic, and renal system all increase. ​

Dogs, and cats especially, are notorious for hiding their illnesses. A yearly exam may uncover these hidden symptoms and may help improve the prognosis of some medical conditions. Not only may these exams increase longevity, but they can keep medical costs down in essence.​

During a physical exam of a healthy pet, he or she will be evaluated and recommended routine vaccines. An additional service that we also recommend is microchipping. In the event that your pet gets lost, Home Again will contact every clinic and shelter in the area. We also register your first year of service for you so you have one less thing to worry about!

Flea Prevention

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Fleas are small flightless external parasites that live by consuming the blood of their hosts of mammals and birds. Although seeing 1 or 2 fleas may not seem like a cause of concern, adult fleas are only 5% of the population. The other 95% are eggs, larvae or pupae. The stages of a flea life cycle are so complex that getting rid of these intruders often takes several treatments over a length of time. Quick and timely treatment will help prevent against an infestation. Not only are these guys extremely itchy and unsightly, but they may cause our pets to develop skin allergies and in extreme cases, anemia. We carry several different chewable and topical flea prevention products. Our staff members will gladly help you decide which preventative is best for your cat or dog. 

Heartworm Prevention

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Our Office Heartworm Policy

Here in Michigan, we understand when our clients have a hard time justifying heartworm prevention through the winter months when our mosquito populations are scarce. For that reason we have only required prevention 9 months our of the year (April-December) and a heartworm test only in cases of a lapse in coverage.  However, with increases in heartworm disease and tick-borne illness, we are now requiring a heartworm test at least every other year whether the pet has been covered through just the high risk months or year round. ​

We use IDEXX’s 4DX snap tests, which not only test for heartworm disease, but tickborne illnesses such as Lyme, Erlichia canis, Erlichia ewingi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Anaplasma platys. 

Heartworm disease is a potentially life-threatening condition spread by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can travel up to 3 miles and can spread infection quite easily. Worst of all, it only takes one disease-carrying mosquito to transmit this disease.

If your pet is not on a heartworm preventative, the risk of contracting this potentially fatal disease significantly increases. The American Heartworm Society recommends heartworm prevention monthly without missing any dosages through out the entire year. Heartworm treatment can be harsh, expensive and traumatic to your pet’s health, so prevention is key!​

Based on your life style and environment, we can assist you in finding the perfect heartworm prevention. Our clinic carries a wide collection of only the best heartworm preventatives. Administration can be as easy as giving a chewable tablet each month, a monthly topical, or a 6 month injectable given at our clinic. We strive to cater to the pets needs while also keeping affordability in mind. Different companies will often have discount coupons if you buy in bulk, so please ask about these promotions!

Heartworm Policy FAQ’s

My pet just had this test done in June of last year, why am I being told to test this year as well?

The 4DX checks for the presence of a specific heartworm antigen, that is only released from adult female heartworms. When a pet is bit by an infected mosquito, microfilaria is injected into the bloodstream. These are heartworm larvae. These larvae are not mature adults until at least 6-9 months post infection, at which point the antigen test would likely show positive. So let’s say your pet was not on any prevention, tested negative in June of the previous year and then placed on a preventative, we would want to test again at least 6-9 months later. This is because if your pet was infected in April, May, or even the beginning of June, it wouldn’t show up positive until at least December.

Can I opt out of heartworm testing and just buy the medication, accepting the risks?

In the past, we have accepted signing of a Heartworm Test Waiver. We hope to eliminate this completely in the future, but as for now, if your pet has been on prevention, and you are adamantly refusing to test, we will allow you to sign the waiver  for THIS YEAR ONLY. There will be large note placed in you chart that you will be allowed to purchase prevention for THIS YEAR ONLY, and will be REQUIRED to test next year.

How much does this test cost?

Prices are constantly changing on products, tests, and other services, and usually have much to do with our costs. The 4DX test is roughly $32-$35.

Is there going to be an office visit charge tacked on to the testing too?

Not unless there are other reasons for your visit. Generally, you can schedule a 4DX test with a Technician Only. If you are here for only a Heartworm Test, and suddenly inform us that Fido has an ear infection, a torn nail, and a broken tooth, then the appointment becomes more involved, and yes, you will be charged an office visit fee. Please also keep in mind that for staff safety, we require that all dogs be current on Rabies vaccines. 

How much does prevention cost?

Depending on your life style, preference, and the size of your pet, prevention costs roughly $5-$20 every month.

Can’t I just do the testing, and treat if my dog tests positive?

Heartworm disease can be fatal, and the treatment for the disease can be very stressful on your pet. Also, treating heartworm disease can easily cost over $800. Ultimately it is your decision.