At Lilydale Vet Centre, our approach to your pet’s health is centred on preventative care.
That is to say, we would much prefer to see you and your pet more often for check-ups, than wait to manage a catastrophe when disaster ultimately strikes.
Our vaccination appointments focus on your pet’s overall wellness, this includes assessing their physical health, preventative home care strategies (such as flea & worming, exercise and dental care) as well as their nutrition.
Vaccinations are an important part of your pet’s wellness plan to help protect them from external infectious diseases. However, as our pet’s get older, they are also more prone to developing internal problems, such as kidney and liver diseases.
As part of our commitment to your pet’s health & wellness, all pets 7 years or older benefit from a complimentary blood screen at their vaccination appointment!
We understand that the current economic challenges can make it difficult for pet parents to budget for routine comprehensive care, and we hope this added service helps ease that burden, ensuring that pets continue to receive the attention they need, even during tough times.
Why Preventative Care Matters
Preventative care is one of the best ways to safeguard your pet’s well-being. Not only do vaccinations protect against serious contagious illnesses like parvovirus, cat flu and kennel cough but they also help to protect the most vulnerable pets in our community who may not be able to have vaccinations.
But our focus on your pet’s health doesn’t stop there! At Lilydale Vet Centre, every vaccination appointment is a comprehensive health and lifestyle review which includes:
Comprehensive Health And Lifestyle Review
Full Physical Exam
We assess your pet from nose to tail, checking our favourite spots to find hidden lumps, assessing their coat condition, dental health, weight, cardiac health, and much, much more.
Detecting subtle changes in your pet’s health condition is the best time to intervene and minimise the impact of any problems whilst they’re still only small.
Nutrition Review
We’ve all heard the saying ‘you are what you eat’ and nothing could be more true, especially when you consider many pets are fed the same food day-in, day-out.
Our vets will assess your pet’s diet and offer recommendations which suit you and your pet’s lifestyle.
Lifestyle Review
Is your pet getting enough of the right kind of exercise? What does appropriate exercise look like for a french bulldog, as opposed to a labrador? Is your pet struggling with their mobility, and they may benefit from some physiotherapy or in-home modifications?
Our vets are interested to have these discussions with you and guide you to help provide the best advice.
Preventative Health Care Review
Our vets will assess your pet’s dental health, weight, parasite control program to give you recommendations that work with your pet and lifestyle.
Did you know 3 in 4 adult dogs suffer from dental disease? That’s an astounding statistic – don’t let your pet become another number!
Complimentary Blood Screen For Senior Pets
For cats & dogs over the age of 7, we include a complimentary blood screen as part of your vaccination consultation. As our pet’s get older, they are more prone to developing serious but silent internal diseases.
An annual blood test is a great way to get peace of mind, as well as give your pet the care that they deserve.
A Fear-Free and Patient-Centered Approach to Veterinary Care
Our team are committed to provide low stress visits for your pet to the vet. We know that trips to the vet can be overwhelming for many pets, and so our clinic has anxiety management protocols to help ensure every visit is as calm and comfortable as possible.
For example, when we perform blood screens, we do so right in the exam room, with you present to provide comfort and reassurance to your pet. We’ve found that this helps keep pets calm, and it also gives you the opportunity to see the care and gentleness we bring to every interaction with your beloved companion. Plus, your pet gets to enjoy plenty of cuddles and affection along the way!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
What Vaccinations Do We Offer?
We offer a full range of vaccinations to suit your pet’s individual needs. Based on their age, breed, and lifestyle, we’ll recommend the right vaccines to keep them protected.
- Core vaccines: Core vaccines are the minimum accepted vaccination standard for dogs and cats. For dogs, this is known as a C5 vaccination and includes protection against parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, and two varieties of kennel cough (Bordetella and parainfluenza). Cats receive annual F3 vaccines for feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, and herpesvirus.
- Non-core vaccines: Depending on your pet’s environment and activities, additional vaccines may be recommended, this includes leptospirosis (for dogs) and feine immunodeficiency virus (FIV) for cats.
How are our dog vaccinations different?
For dogs, our vaccination for the distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza component is only needed every three years. The remaining component for Bordetella is given as a yearly oral solution, which reduces stress and helps foster a positive experience for your dog, as well as less vaccinations for your dog over their lifetime.
We also use puppy vaccinations which are licensed to finish earlier than traditional vaccinations. This means many puppies only require two vaccinations, allowing them to achieve their early socialisation goals, safely!
Are there options if I don’t want to vaccinate my pet?
We understand that some pet parents may prefer to explore alternatives to the standard vaccination schedule. Rather than forgoing protective vaccinations entirely, let’s discuss the option of titer testing through a reference laboratory.
Titer testing is a blood test that measures your pet’s antibody levels to determine if they still have sufficient protection from previous vaccines or require a booster. This is a great option for those who want to ensure their pet is protected without administering potentially unnecessary vaccines.
Why Is Blood Screening So Important?
We’re excited to include blood screening for senior pets because we know just how important it is to help maintain your pet’s health. Whilst vaccinations protect against external threats, a blood screen helps us monitor their internal systems. It gives us a clear picture of their liver and kidney function, red blood cell levels, and overall organ health.
With early detection, we can provide treatments or lifestyle adjustments to help your pet enjoy the best possible quality of life. And because we perform the blood test during your pet’s routine vaccination appointment, it’s convenient and stress-free for both you and your pet.
Who are your veterinarians that perform vaccinations?
Our amazing team is built of veterinarians, technicians and nurses. You can find out more information about our team by clicking the link here.
Complimentary Blood Screens for Senior Pets
Lilydale Vet Centre is completely unique in that we provide our senior patients with a complimentary blood screen at their annual vaccination appointment. This is an essential tool in monitoring your pet’s health as they age, helping us detect early signs of health concerns such as kidney disease, liver issues, diabetes, or infections.
The blood screen allows us to see what’s going on inside your pet’s body, even if they appear perfectly healthy on the outside. By identifying any changes in organ function or other markers early, we can address potential health issues before they become more serious—and often more expensive to treat.
Offering this blood screen at no extra cost is part of our commitment to providing comprehensive, preventative care for your pet. Regular testing helps us ensure your senior pet stays as healthy on the inside as they are active on the outside.
Join Our Preventative Care Program Today!
We’re passionate about keeping your pet healthy—inside and out. That’s why we’ve made preventative care, including vaccinations and blood screens, a key part of our services. Whether you’re an existing client or new to Lilydale Vet Centre, we welcome you to take advantage of our ongoing promotion. By combining routine vaccinations with a complimentary blood screen, we’re helping you stay on top of your pet’s health in a comprehensive, proactive way.
At Lilydale Vet Centre, it’s not just about keeping pets healthy—it’s about making sure every visit feels like home. Give your pet the care they deserve. We can’t wait to welcome you and your furry family members into our clinic!
Terms and Conditions for Senior Pet Complimentary Blood Screen Offer
This offer is available exclusively to senior cats and dogs aged 7 years or older at Lilydale Vet Centre. It includes a complimentary blood screen as a general health assessment for eligible pets. Please note the following terms:
- Eligibility: The offer applies only to cats and dogs aged 7 years or older.
- Patient Comfort: If a pet is non-compliant, anxious, or stressed during the procedure, we may offer anxiety relief options. If necessary, a follow-up appointment can be scheduled. Any sedatives or calming medications required will be billed at our standard rates.
- Screening Limitations: This blood screen is a preliminary screening test only and may not provide a complete diagnostic picture. If further tests are recommended based on the screening results, they will be discussed and offered at standard rates.
- Additional Testing: If specific tests beyond the standard screening are deemed necessary, they will be recommended, and charges will apply should you choose to proceed.
- Collection Fee: A small fee applies for the blood collection service.
This offer is intended as a wellness benefit to support the health of senior pets and is subject to the standard limitations of screening tests.’