Pet care services at McCurdy Animal Hospital in Kelowna provide the preventive foundation your dog or cat needs to stay healthy throughout every stage of life. From core vaccinations and wellness exams to parasite prevention, microchipping, and routine grooming care, our team delivers each service with gentle handling and clear communication. We welcome families from across Kelowna, Rutland, Glenmore, Dilworth, and the Central Okanagan. Because every pet is different, we tailor our recommendations to your animal's age, lifestyle, and individual health history. Our goal is to help you stay ahead of health concerns before they become problems.
Vaccinations are among the most effective tools available for protecting your dog or cat from serious infectious disease. At McCurdy Animal Hospital in Kelowna, we follow current CVBC-aligned vaccine guidelines and personalize every schedule based on your pet's age, lifestyle, and risk profile. Core vaccines protect against diseases including distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, and rabies in dogs, and panleukopenia, herpesvirus, and calicivirus in cats. Lifestyle vaccines such as Bordetella, Leptospirosis, and Feline Leukemia Virus are recommended based on boarding habits, outdoor access, and local exposure risk. We offer split-visit appointments for pets that do better with shorter sessions.
Annual wellness exams give our veterinarians the opportunity to assess your pet's overall health, catch early changes, and discuss any concerns before they become significant. During a visit, we evaluate weight, dental health, coat and skin condition, joint mobility, and organ function. We also review vaccination status, parasite prevention, and nutrition. Many health changes in dogs and cats are subtle in early stages, which is why regular exams are one of the most valuable investments in your pet's long-term well-being. We recommend annual exams for adult pets and twice-yearly visits for senior dogs and cats.
Flea prevention is a year-round consideration for pets in Kelowna. Fleas cause persistent itching, skin irritation, and can transmit tapeworms. Modern preventive products address both fleas and ticks in a single application, making consistent use straightforward. Our team will help you choose a product suited to your pet's age, weight, and lifestyle. We stock veterinarian-approved preventives through our on-site dispensing service and can walk you through application schedules and how to maintain effective protection through every season.
Heartworm is transmitted by mosquito bite and can cause serious damage to the heart and lungs if left unaddressed. While the local risk in Kelowna is lower than in many other regions, it rises significantly for pets that travel to heartworm-endemic areas. Our team can assess your pet's individual risk based on travel plans and lifestyle, and advise on preventive options safe and appropriate for your animal's age and health status. Testing before starting preventive products is recommended for pets with any potential prior exposure.
Kelowna's parks, hiking trails, and lakeside green spaces create conditions where tick contact is a real concern for dogs and cats with outdoor access. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, making consistent prevention an important part of outdoor pet care. We recommend veterinarian-approved preventive products and can advise on thorough checks after outdoor activity. Our team follows current CVBC guidance on tick-borne disease prevention and can discuss the most appropriate approach for your pet's activity level and environment.
Microchipping provides a permanent form of identification that cannot be lost or removed the way a collar or tag can. A small chip, roughly the size of a grain of rice, is placed under the skin between the shoulder blades in a brief, low-stress procedure. The chip stores a unique identification number linked to your contact details in a national registry. If your pet is ever lost and scanned at a shelter or veterinary clinic, they can be traced back to you. We recommend microchipping at any age and often combine it with other scheduled visits to minimize stress.
Intestinal parasites affect dogs and cats at all life stages. Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, and Giardia can all be present without obvious signs in adult pets. Some parasites can also affect people, making regular deworming and fecal testing important for the whole household. Our team will recommend an approach suited to your pet's age, lifestyle, and exposure history. We offer in-clinic fecal testing with prompt results, so you do not have to wait to confirm your pet is clear.
Regular nail trimming keeps your pet comfortable and protects their joints and posture over time. Nails that grow too long can alter gait and cause strain on the legs and back. Our team approaches nail trims calmly using techniques suited to your pet's comfort level. For anxious pets, we can work gradually over several visits to make the experience more manageable. We are also happy to walk you through safe nail care technique so you can maintain your pet's nails between appointments.
Clean ears help prevent infections, particularly in dogs with long, floppy ears or dense coat growth around the ear canal. Regular ear checks allow us to spot early signs of infection, mite activity, or debris buildup before discomfort develops. Our team uses veterinarian-approved cleaning solutions and can demonstrate safe ear hygiene techniques for home use. If we notice signs of an active infection or significant irritation during a routine visit, we will advise on appropriate next steps before the issue progresses.
Anal gland discomfort is more common in dogs and cats than many owners realize. The two small glands on either side of the rectum can become full or impacted when they do not empty naturally. Signs of anal gland issues include scooting, repeated licking at the base of the tail, and an unusual odor. Our team can express the glands safely during a routine visit and advise on whether dietary changes might help reduce how frequently your pet needs this service.
Giant breed dogs have health considerations that differ from smaller dogs throughout their lives. Growth rate, joint development, nutritional needs, and surgical timing all need to be approached with breed size in mind. At McCurdy Animal Hospital in Kelowna, we provide guidance tailored to large and giant breeds from puppyhood through their senior years, including discussions about appropriate exercise, orthopedic monitoring, spay and neuter timing, and weight management. Connecting with our team early in your giant breed dog's life helps establish the right preventive plan from the start.
Book a preventive care appointment for your dog or cat at McCurdy Animal Hospital in Kelowna. Our team offers vaccinations, wellness exams, parasite prevention, and routine services tailored to your pet's individual needs. Call (778) 484-9446 or book online at mahvet.ca/book-an-appointment/.
