310 E. University Dr Granger, IN 46530
A Proactive Approach to Your Pet's Well-Being
Wellness care is the foundation of a long, healthy life for any pet. Rather than waiting for a problem to appear, regular wellness visits allow our team to monitor your pet's health over time, catching subtle changes early and keeping preventive care on schedule. At University Park Veterinary Hospital, we build wellness plans around each pet's individual age, breed, and lifestyle, and we are proud to provide this care for families throughout Granger, South Bend, Mishawaka, Notre Dame, Elkhart, and Osceola in Indiana, as well as Niles, Buchanan, Edwardsburg, and Cassopolis in Michigan.
Why Wellness Visits Matter
Pets cannot describe how they are feeling, and many common health conditions develop gradually, without obvious symptoms in the early stages. A pet can appear completely normal at home while an exam or bloodwork reveals a change that would otherwise go unnoticed until it became more serious.
Consistent wellness visits give our team a baseline for what is normal for your pet, making it much easier to identify when something has changed. This proactive approach often means conditions are caught while they are still manageable, rather than after they have progressed into something more complicated or costly to treat.
What a Wellness Visit Includes
A wellness visit is more than a quick look over. Depending on your pet's age and health history, a typical appointment may include:
- A complete physical exam, checking eyes, ears, teeth, heart, lungs, skin, and joints
- Vaccinations based on your pet's age, lifestyle, and risk factors
- Parasite screening and prevention for fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal parasites
- Bloodwork to evaluate organ function and overall health
- Weight and body condition assessment
- A discussion of diet, behavior, and any concerns you have noticed at home
Preventive Vaccinations for Lifelong Protection
Vaccinations remain one of the most effective ways to protect your pet from serious, preventable diseases. Our team builds a vaccination schedule based on your pet's age, lifestyle, and risk factors, whether they are a puppy just starting their first series or an adult pet due for a booster. We also review your pet's vaccination status at each wellness visit to ensure they remain protected as their needs change over time.
Supporting Lifelong Oral Health
Dental disease is one of the most common health issues seen in dogs and cats, and it can affect far more than just the teeth if left untreated. Regular dental checkups and cleanings help protect your pet's oral health and overall well-being. Routine dental care can reduce the risk of pain, infection, and tooth loss while supporting your pet's comfort, appetite, and quality of life.
Advanced Diagnostics for Early Detection
In-house diagnostics, including bloodwork, urinalysis, and imaging, allow our team to get a clear picture of your pet's health and catch potential issues early. These tools are often used during wellness visits as well as when a pet is showing signs of illness. Having diagnostic capabilities on-site often means faster answers, allowing us to begin appropriate treatment without unnecessary delays.
How Often Pets Need Wellness Visits
Most healthy adult dogs and cats benefit from an annual wellness visit, giving our team a yearly checkpoint to track their health and keep preventive care current. Puppies and kittens need more frequent visits during their first several months as they complete their vaccination series, while senior pets typically benefit from visits twice a year, since aging bodies can change more quickly and are more prone to developing conditions that benefit from early detection. Pets with existing health conditions may also need a more frequent schedule tailored to their specific needs.
A Partnership in Your Pet's Long Term Health
Wellness care works best as an ongoing partnership rather than a once a year formality. Our team gets to know your pet over time, which allows us to notice changes that might otherwise be missed and to tailor recommendations specifically to them rather than applying a generic approach. Whether your pet is a new puppy just starting their first vaccination series or a senior companion who has been part of your family for years, we are here to support their health at every stage.