Veterinary Care Information Center

Helpful Information: Preventative, Routine & Emergency Veterinary Care

Thank you for visiting our Veterinary Care Information Center. As a pet owner or a person who works with animals from a professional standpoint, such as a breeder or rancher, you may be looking for basic information related to veterinary care. We built this website to not only serve as a way for animal owners to find local veterinarians but to act as a source of helpful information related to all types of veterinary medicine and animal care.

We welcome you to take a moment to browse through some of the key subjects covered in this portion of our website:

Finding the Right Veterinarian
Making an informed choice is important when you're looking for a veterinarian. You may be interested to know what specialty services they provide, whether they deal with your particular type of pet or animal, how long they have been in practice, their pricing options and more. Our directory enables you to do all of this. Read more about finding the right veterinarian.

About Veterinary Care
Veterinary medicine covers a wide range of medical care related to domestic and farm animals alike. It includes diagnosing and treating various injuries and illnesses as well as providing preventative care and routine check-ups to contribute to an animal's overall well-being. Surgical procedures, medical research, vaccinations and even specialty services such as dentistry and grooming may be handled by veterinarians. Read more about veterinary care.

Scheduling Regular Visits
Scheduling regular visits is one of the most important parts of the routine veterinary care you can provide to your pet. Visiting your local veterinarian once or twice a year, or possibly more often depending on your pet's needs, can act as a strong deterrent for common illnesses and diseases that affect your particular species and breed of animal. It is one of the ways you can help your pet lead a long and healthy life. Read more about routine veterinary care.

Vaccinations
Regular vaccinations are important for household pets and farm animals. Depending on the species and particular breed of animal, they may be prone to certain diseases and parasites, and vaccinations can protect against these. Heartworms, as an example, are leading threats to dogs in certain parts of the U.S. A dog owner may therefore wish to visit a local veterinarian for a vaccination against these deadly parasites. Read more about vaccinations.

Emergency Veterinary Care
At times, an animal may become seriously injured or may fall ill and require life-saving medical treatment. Emergency veterinary care is typically provided by facilities that are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to handle serious health conditions and injuries caused by car accidents, animal attacks and similar situations. In addition to your regular vet, you may find it important to have the information of an emergency veterinarian handy if your pet needs veterinary care at night or on the weekend. Read more about emergency medical care.

Holistic Veterinary Care
Just as humans may seek holistic or homeopathic treatment for various ailments, these services are provided for animals as well. Certain veterinary practices offer holistic treatment options. Alternative medicine may be used to ease an animal's discomfort or help with the symptoms associated with an illness or injury. Some examples of holistic veterinary care may include acupuncture, chiropractic care and herbal medicine. Read more about holistic veterinary care.

Animal Surgery
Elective and emergency surgery are important parts of veterinary care. Whether your household pet needs to be neutered or an emergency procedure is required to treat colic in a horse, you may need to find a local veterinarian who can handle the procedure with competence. Both minor and major surgical procedures require extensive training and knowledge, so it is important to do your homework and find a qualified veterinary surgeon. Read more about animal surgery.

Animal Dentistry
As a pet owner, dental care is an important issue to consider in maintaining your pet's health. Animal dentistry may include regular cleanings and check-ups as well as surgical procedures and medication to treat infections or diseases of the teeth, mouth and gums. Poor oral hygiene and untreated oral conditions can lead to serious medical problems that affect more than just the teeth and gums but vital organs such as the kidneys, heart and liver. Read more about animal dentistry.

Pet Nutrition
Nutrition will play a key role in your pet's overall health and well-being. Of course, it is important to ensure that your pet has proper food and water, but you may also want to consider the type of food you are feeding your pet and whether you should supplement your pet's diet with vitamins or specially formulated food that will help them lead a happier and longer life. Read more about pet nutrition.

Pet FAQs
If you have a pet, you probably have specific questions about their care. We have put together a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) that can help pet owners learn more about how to properly care for their pets or find professionals who can provide the specific services they need. Visit our pet FAQ page.

Resources and More
If you're looking for a nearby animal shelter, breeder or pet store, we have included helpful information and access to these professionals and facilities. Visit our resources page.

To learn more about veterinary care, find a veterinarian near you.