1578 Skeet Club Road High Point, NC 27265
Proactive Care for a Healthier, Happier Pet
Preventative care is the foundation of a long, healthy life for your pet. Rather than waiting until something goes wrong, routine care allows us to detect early warning signs, address small concerns before they become serious conditions, and build a clear picture of what's normal for your individual animal. At Skeet Club Veterinary Hospital, we take a proactive, whole-pet approach to keeping your dog or cat thriving at every stage of life.
Examinations
Regular wellness exams are one of the single most valuable things you can do for your pet and they're about much more than checking the basics. Because pets age faster than people do, a lot can change in the span of just one year. Bringing your pet in for a comprehensive physical examination gives our veterinarians a chance to evaluate their overall condition, catch anything unusual, and give you personalized guidance tailored to your pet's age, breed, and lifestyle.
What Does a Wellness Exam Include?
During your pet's wellness visit at Skeet Club Veterinary Hospital, our veterinary team will carefully assess:
- Body weight, body condition score, and temperature
- Eyes, ears, nose, and mouth — including dental health
- Lymph nodes and glands
- Heart and lung function
- Abdominal organs
- Skin, coat, and musculoskeletal condition
We'll also review your pet's medical history, discuss any behavioral or dietary changes you've noticed at home, and run any recommended diagnostics such as bloodwork, urinalysis, or fecal screening. Before you leave, you'll have a clear understanding of your pet's current health status and what to watch for going forward.
We generally recommend annual exams for healthy adult pets and more frequent visits for puppies, kittens, and senior animals. If something does come up between visits, our team is here to help.
Vaccinations
Vaccines are among the most effective tools in preventative medicine. They prepare your pet's immune system to fight off serious, sometimes life-threatening diseases — many of which are still widespread in our region. Our veterinarians will work with you to design a vaccination schedule based on your pet's specific risk factors, including their age, lifestyle, and whether they spend time outdoors or around other animals.
Core and Non-Core Dog Vaccines We Recommend
North Carolina law requires all dogs to be vaccinated against rabies. Beyond that, we strongly recommend core vaccines that protect against the most common and serious canine diseases:
- Rabies: required by North Carolina state law
- DHPP: protects against distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, and parainfluenza
Depending on your dog's lifestyle and exposure risk, our veterinarians may also recommend these non-core vaccines:
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough): recommended for dogs that visit groomers, boarding facilities, dog parks, or training classes
- Canine Influenza: especially relevant for dogs with frequent contact with other dogs
- Lyme Disease: a real concern in the Piedmont Triad given the prevalence of ticks in our area; ask our team whether this is right for your dog
- Leptospirosis Vaccine: Protects dogs against potentially life-threatening bacterial infection that can affect the kidneys and liver
Core Cat Vaccines We Recommend
Rabies vaccination is required for cats in North Carolina as well. We also recommend the following core protection for all cats:
- Rabies: required by North Carolina state law
- FVRCP: protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia
Cats that have contact with other cats may also benefit from this non-core vaccine:
- Feline Leukemia (FeLV): strongly recommended for outdoor cats or those with exposure to unknown cats
Parasite Control
Fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites are year-round concerns in North Carolina, not just a warm-weather problem. Our climate means parasites remain active longer than in many other parts of the country, which is why we stress consistent, reliable prevention rather than seasonal treatment.
Heartworm disease is transmitted through mosquito bites and can cause severe, potentially irreversible damage to the heart and lungs. Prevention is simple, effective, and far less costly than treatment. We recommend year-round heartworm prevention for all dogs and testing annually to confirm your pet remains negative.
Intestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and giardia are common, especially in puppies and kittens, and some can be passed to people. Annual fecal screenings help us detect parasites early and keep your whole family protected.
Microchipping
A collar and tag are helpful, but they can fall off. Microchipping gives your pet a permanent form of identification that stays with them no matter what. The chip, about the size of a grain of rice is implanted just under the skin between the shoulder blades in a quick, minimally invasive procedure similar to a routine injection.
If your pet is ever lost and brought to a shelter, veterinary clinic, or animal control facility, a simple scan will reveal your contact information and help reunite you with your pet as quickly as possible. Microchipping is one of the easiest and most affordable steps you can take to protect your pet for life.
We recommend microchipping for all dogs and cats, regardless of whether they spend time indoors or outdoors. Even the most careful pet owner can't predict every situation. An open door, a break in the fence, or a moment of panic during a storm can all lead to a pet going missing.
Nutrition & Weight Management
What your pet eats every day has a direct impact on nearly every aspect of their health, including their energy levels, joint function, immune system, digestive health, and even their coat and skin. With so many food options available, it can be genuinely difficult to know what's right for your specific animal.
Obesity in pets is linked to a higher risk of diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and a shortened lifespan. Even modest weight reduction can make a meaningful difference in your pet's quality of life and mobility.
Our veterinary team takes nutrition seriously. During wellness visits, we'll assess your pet's current body condition and discuss their diet in detail. If your pet is carrying extra weight, we can help you build a practical plan to get them back to a healthy range — one that's realistic for your lifestyle and gentle enough that your pet stays comfortable throughout the process.
