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Urgent care is for pets who are unwell, in discomfort, are in urgent situation or are not acting like themselves and should be assessed within 24 hours.
Wellness, routine, or general care is for pets needing vaccines, preventive care, or ongoing monitoring who can safely wait at least 24 hours.
General Wellness & Preventive Veterinary Care for Dogs and Cats in Stittsville, Kanata & West Ottawa
Affordable, Appointment-Based Wellness Care Focused on Prevention and Long-Term Health
Transparent Pricing and Upfront Estimates. Care provided during clinic hours for dogs and cats only. Same day appointments are usually available.
What is veterinary wellness care for dogs and cats? What does a routine wellness visit include? What to expect?
Wellness care is designed to support your pet’s long-term health through proactive assessment, early detection, and thoughtful planning.
Rather than waiting for illness to develop, routine veterinary wellness visits for dogs and cats focus on understanding what is normal for your pet, identifying subtle changes early, and creating a preventive care plan tailored to their age, lifestyle, and medical history.
A routine wellness visit may include:
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Review of your pet’s medical history, lifestyle, and day-to-day environment
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A physical assessment to evaluate overall health and detect early concerns
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Discussion of vaccinations, parasite prevention, and age-appropriate health screening
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Optional diagnostic testing when appropriate, such as annual or bi-annual bloodwork to establish or monitor health baselines
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Time to answer your questions, review findings, and plan next steps for ongoing care
This approach helps guide preventive decisions, supports early intervention when needed, and promotes consistent, long-term health management for dogs and cats.
When General Wellness Care Is Appropriate
General Wellness care is intended for pets who are stable and acting normally, and for concerns that can be planned rather than addressed urgently.
General Wellness visits are appropriate if:
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Your pet is acting normally and stable
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You are planning preventive or routine care
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You have non-urgent health questions
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You are managing an ongoing, stable condition
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You are monitoring long-term health or aging changes
When General Wellness Care Is Not Appropriate
General Wellness appointments are not appropriate if your pet has sudden or worsening symptoms.
If your pet has:
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Vomiting or diarrhea
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Weakness, collapse, or marked lethargy
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Difficulty breathing
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Pain, injury, or sudden illness
An urgent assessment may be more appropriate.
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Preventive Vaccinations
Preventative vaccinations for Cats & Dogs are provided for cats and dogs in Stittsville, Kanata & West Ottawa by appointment.
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Vaccinations are part of routine wellness care and are tailored to age, lifestyle, and medical history.
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Discussed and scheduled during wellness visits by appointment.
Ongoing Preventative Care
Preventative Care may include:
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Parasite prevention (heartworm, flea, tick, intestinal parasites etc)
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Senior health monitoring (diagnostics every 6-12 months)
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Chronic disease management
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Nutrition & weight management
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Dental health assessment
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Costs and Expectations
In-Clinic Diagnostics for Wellness or Ongoing Monitoring
Diagnostic testing may be recommended to establish baselines, monitor chronic or age related changes, or identify early disease not visible on physical exam.
How care decisions are made
Findings explained clearly
Options & costs reviewed before care
Plans individualized to each pet
Transparent, pressure free decision-making
Affordable, Transparent Wellness Care
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Preventive & ongoing care is planned and discussed in advance
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Estimates are provided before diagnostics or treatments
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Care plans are tailored — not bundled or one-size-fits-all
Wellness Care FAQs
Is general wellness care the same as urgent care?
No. General wellness care is intended for stable pets and planned concerns. Urgent care is for sudden illness, injury, or symptoms that may require prompt medical assessment. Choosing the correct visit type helps ensure appropriate care and scheduling.
Can I book general wellness care if my pet has mild symptoms?
If symptoms are new, worsening, or concerning, an urgent assessment may be more appropriate even if they seem mild. When in doubt, calling allows us to help guide whether wellness or urgent care is the better option.
Why might testing be recommended during a general wellness visit?
Some conditions are not visible on physical examination alone. Diagnostic testing can help identify early disease, monitor chronic conditions, and guide preventive care. Testing is recommended when it adds clarity or supports safer long-term care.
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How often should my pet have a general wellness visit?
The appropriate frequency depends on age, health status, and medical history. Some pets benefit from annual visits, while others require more frequent monitoring. Recommendations are individualized to each pet.
General Wellness and preventive care at Stittsville Kanata Veterinary Hospital supports routine exams, vaccinations, diagnostics, and long-term health planning for stable pets.