CSTAR Animal Care does not offer wellness exams or sick/injured veterinary care. It's important that you have a relationship established with a veterinarian for wellness checks and for when your cat or dog is in need of veterinary care for illness, injury, etc. If you need a recommendation for a veterinarian in your area, you can ask friends, family members, coworkers, etc.; you can give us a call; or, you can check out our
featured vets page to view some of the veterinary offices that have been very supportive of our mission and our programs, including our Spay Our Strays Clinic.
In addition to spay/neuter surgery and vaccinations, regular wellness exams are an essential part of keeping your cat or dog healthy for years to come. Regular wellness exams allow your veterinarian to evaluate your pet's general health and to catch health problems before they become more serious, especially because many aspects of your pet's health can change in a short amount of time. Since your pet can't tell you when he or she isn't feeling well, regular exams by your veterinarian, even when your cat or dog appears healthy, are the best way to monitor your pet's overall health. Generally, it is recommended that cats and dogs receive their wellness exams annually, although pets with certain health conditions and older pets may need to be examined more often, so talk with your veterinarian to find out what's best for each of your pets.
It's also very important for you to be aware of changes in your cat or dog's habits, lifestyle, and environment, such as increases or decreases in your cat or dog's eating habits, drinking habits, weight, energy level, urination, defecation, etc., and for you to bring these changes to your veterinarian's attention. Also, watch for other common signs of illness such as vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, eye discharge, nasal discharge, excessive panting, excessive scratching, unusual odors, and lumps, and make sure to contact your veterinarian with your concerns.