Wellness Programs

Pet Wellness Programs in Rochester

Our Vets are Advocates of Preventative Health Care

At South Towne Veterinary Hospital, we believe that wellness lasts a lifetime, and our pets have special needs at each stage of their life. That’s why our Rochester veterinarians offer pet wellness programs that will make sure they get the appropriate care and attention they need to age healthily. Our hospital is backed by over 50 years of experience and offers a staff that is not only extensively knowledgeable but compassionate and caring as well. Your pet’s long-term health and happiness are our top priorities.

To learn more about our pet wellness programs in Rochester, reach out to us today at (585) 312-0039.

Why Test Annually?


Pets age roughly 5-7 times faster than humans. It’s vital to test every year to screen for diseases and conditions. By testing, your doctor will be able to identify critical patterns in your pet’s biological make-up. Ultimately, early detection will enable an accurate diagnosis more quickly, potentially saving you thousands of dollars in tests and critical care.

Other reasons for routine care include:

  • Keeping up with your pet’s vaccinations
  • Flea and tick detection and prevention
  • Dental care to protect them against periodontal disease

We take pride in the time we spend educating owners on proper pet health care. Our goal is to help pets live longer, healthier, and happier lives. This includes but goes well beyond vaccination and parasite control. Our clean, well-lit, and odorless facility provides an ideal environment for all aspects of pet health care.

Pet Vaccinations in Rochester

The importance of vaccinations can’t be understated. At South Towne Veterinary Hospital, we tailor a vaccination program to the individual pet based upon risk assessment and recommendation from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP). If you have a new kitten or puppy, it’s crucial that you adhere to a vaccination schedule that will protect them from dangerous, yet preventable, illnesses and diseases.

Importance of Keeping Your Pet's Vaccines Up to Date

Keeping your pet's vaccinations up to date is of utmost importance for several reasons:

  1. Disease prevention: Vaccinations protect your pet from various contagious and potentially life-threatening diseases. Vaccines stimulate the immune system to recognize and fight specific pathogens, reducing the risk of infection or minimizing the severity of the disease if contracted. Vaccines are available for diseases such as rabies, distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, feline leukemia, and more.

  2. Public health: Some diseases that can affect pets, such as rabies, can also be transmitted to humans. By vaccinating your pet, you contribute to the overall health and safety of your community by preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases.

  3. Cost-effective: Vaccinations are generally more affordable than treating the diseases they prevent. The cost of vaccinating your pet is usually much lower than the expenses associated with diagnosing and treating a preventable illness.

  4. Longevity and well-being: Vaccinations help extend your pet's life expectancy and improve their quality of life. By protecting them from dangerous diseases, you minimize the risk of severe illness or death, allowing your pet to enjoy a healthier and happier life.

  5. Boarding and travel requirements: Many boarding facilities, grooming salons, and daycare centers require proof of vaccinations before accepting pets. Additionally, if you plan to travel with your pet, vaccinations, particularly for diseases like rabies, are often mandatory for crossing borders or flying.

  6. Compliance with the law: In many regions, there are legal requirements for vaccinating pets against certain diseases like rabies. Complying with these regulations ensures you avoid any legal issues and penalties.

  7. Peace of mind: By keeping your pet's vaccinations up to date, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are taking proactive measures to protect them against potentially serious illnesses. It's a responsible and caring action for your beloved companion.

Remember to consult with our Rochester veterinarian regarding the appropriate vaccination schedule for your pet based on their age, lifestyle, and specific health needs. Regular veterinary check-ups and vaccinations are essential to ensure your pet remains protected and healthy.

To learn more about pet vaccinations in Rochester, reach out or call (585) 312-0039 to our veterinarians.

Puppy Wellness

Our puppy wellness program is designed to help get your puppy started on the right path to a long and healthy life. The first few months are a critical period in your puppy’s development, and we can give you the support and tools necessary to help him or her grow into a well-mannered, healthy dog, including information and advice on nutrition, training, behavior, and socialization.

Schedule your puppy for his or her first exam as soon as possible. Until your puppy has received a series of vaccines, he or she is susceptible to many serious but preventable diseases. We will make sure your new dog is protected against rabies, distemper, and parvovirus, among other diseases. Your puppy will also need to be tested and treated for parasites, which are extremely common in young dogs.

Most puppies have roundworms, which are intestinal worms that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal signs (although dogs can have worms without showing any symptoms). It is important for puppies to be treated for roundworms, not only to rid them of the infection but also to prevent you and the rest of your family from becoming infected. Roundworms are a zoonotic parasite, which means they can be transmitted from pets to people. By ensuring that your puppy is properly treated, you can keep your entire family safe from these and other parasites.

We look forward to meeting your new puppy! Schedule your appointment today.

Kitten Wellness

Our kitten wellness program is designed to help get your kitten started on the right path to a long and healthy life. The first few months are a critical period in your kitten’s development, and we can give you the support and tools necessary to help him or her grow into a well-mannered, healthy cat, including information and advice on nutrition, litterbox training, and behavior.

Schedule your kitten for his or her first exam as soon as possible. Until your kitten has received a series of vaccines, he or she is susceptible to many serious but preventable diseases. We will make sure your new pet is protected against rabies and panleukopenia (distemper). Depending on your cat’s risk, we may also advise vaccinating him or her against other diseases, such as feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). In addition, your kitten will need to be tested and treated for parasites, which are common in young cats.

Most kittens have roundworms, which are intestinal worms that can cause coughing, weight loss, and a potbellied appearance in cats (although they may not cause any symptoms). It is important for kittens to be treated for roundworms, not only to help rid them of the infection but also to prevent you and the rest of your family from becoming infected. Roundworms are a zoonotic parasite, which means they can be transmitted from pets to people. By ensuring that your kitten is properly treated, you can keep your entire family safe.

We look forward to meeting your new kitten! Schedule your appointment today.

Adult Pet Wellness

Bringing your pet in for an annual diagnostic and wellness checkup can help reassure you that your dog or cat is healthy or help us detect hidden diseases or conditions early. Early detection can improve the prognosis of many diseases, keep medical costs down, and help your pet live longer. Many dogs and cats are good at hiding signs that something is wrong, so subtle changes in their health or behavior might be easy to overlook. And, depending on the disease, some pets don’t show any symptoms.

Dogs and cats age far quicker than humans, so it is even more crucial for our companion animals to receive regular exams. In addition, the risks of arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hormone disorders, and kidney and liver problems all increase with age.

During your pet’s wellness exam, we will perform a physical assessment, checking your dog or cat from nose to tail. We will also make sure your pet receives appropriate vaccinations and preventives. We will perform a diagnostic workup, which may include blood, fecal, and urine tests to check for parasites and underlying diseases. We may also recommend that your pet receive dental care. When your pet is nearing his or her senior years, we will recommend a baseline exam and diagnostic workup so we’ll know what’s normal for your pet. This will enable us to keep track of any changes.

Because you spend the most time with your pet, you are your pet’s expert, as well as his or her greatest advocate. Please let us know if you’ve noticed any physical or behavioral changes in your pet, as well as any other concerns you might have.

Call our Rochester veterinarians today at (585) 312-0039 to schedule your pet’s exam! If you have any questions, we’re happy to discuss our adult wellness program in more detail.

Senior Pet Wellness

As dogs and cats get older, they need more attention and special care. Our senior wellness program can help your pet remain fit and healthy as he or she ages and help us catch any potential problems earlier, when they’re easier to treat or manage. Regular veterinary exams can actually help your pet live longer, too!

Diagnosing diseases and certain conditions early is important throughout a pet’s life, but it becomes even more critical when your dog or cat enters his or her senior years. The risks of arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hormone disorders, and kidney and liver problems all increase with age. In addition, dogs and cats may not show any signs of even serious diseases until they are quite advanced.

Senior status varies depending on your pet’s breed and size. Smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger dogs, and cats generally live longer than dogs. We can help you determine what life stage your pet is in.

Before your dog or cat reaches senior status, we recommend that you bring your pet in for a baseline exam and diagnostic workup. This will give us a record of what’s normal for your pet so we can keep track of any changes. In most cases, we suggest this checkup when your pet turns seven years of age. Thereafter, your senior pet will benefit from more frequent veterinary exams and diagnostic testing.

We can treat many symptoms that are commonly attributed to age, including those associated with cognitive dysfunction syndrome (similar to Alzheimer’s in humans). We can also improve your pet’s quality of life in many ways by identifying and preventing or reducing pain, recommending an appropriate nutrition and exercise plan, and suggesting environmental modifications to keep your pet comfortable.

We will tailor a senior wellness plan to your pet’s individual needs. If you have any questions, we would be happy to discuss our senior wellness program in more detail. Contact us today to schedule your pet’s exam!

We Put Your Pets First

  • We treat each and every patient as if it were our own and we value the trust you put in us.
  • It is our goal to provide our clients with a great experience using the best medical treatments.
  • Our focus is to provide a broad spectrum of different diagnostic procedures.
  • We collaborate with a Board Certified Surgeon for advanced orthopedic surgeries.
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Our Raving Reviews

  • “He truly cares about the animals and their owners.”

    - Elise W.
  • “He has real bedside manner when it come to all animals.”

    - Pat C.
  • “I really couldn’t be more impressed. So grateful to have such an incredible Veterinary Office in the Rochester area!”

    - Alyssa J.