You all know by now how much I love my pets. I am one of those crazy people who consider their pets to be part of the family. That is why when Banfield Pet Hospital asked if I wanted to participate in this project, I was very excited. Banfield Pet Hospital set us up with the Optimum Wellness plan (in exchange for this post) and we decided to take Elvis in for a visit.
We have been to Banfield Pet Hospital before. The convenience of their location (right inside Petsmart stores) and hours makes it a place that just works for us. Their prices are good and we feel comfortable taking our pets there. Ironically, Elvis was due for his shots and heart worm treatment this month so this opportunity came at the perfect time. I set up the Optimum Wellness Plan on the phone with a very nice woman and then called my local Banfield Pet Hospital for an appointment. I was able to get a late appointment (the only kind we can usually have) within a week!
The welcome desk is perfect with little clips to attach your pet and a scale right in front. Elvis was a bit scared and urinated on the floor immediately but the staff was more than kind about it. Sorry again guys! The person who checked us in was so nice and helpful and it made me feel very welcome. We didn’t have to even wait in the store before his appointment and were immediately led into a room.
The room was very clean and odor free. I mention that because you don’t want to go into a room that has a pet odor, right??? The tech came in right away and did some background on Elvis. She scanned him so that they had his microchip number, asked a few questions about his food intake, and took his temperature. He was not happy about that one! ha!
We then were left to wait for the doctor. But, I was not bored. There are so many great pamphlets in the room. While none of them really applied to me, they would be great for someone with questions about a procedure or their pet’s health.
The vet came in and was so kind. She talked to me about how Elvis is overweight and how to take care of that. She did a very thorough exam of Elvis right on the ground because he was so scared he wouldn’t climb on the table. She talked to me throughout his exam to let me know what she was doing and why. I felt so comfortable with her and her ability to care for my baby boy.
She asked if I minded her taking Elvis into the procedure area to gather his stool sample (for worms), blood (for heartworm testing), and to check his ear which had some debris in it. I said it was okay and left the room. Elvis was NOT a happy boy and tried to get away from them but they were very kind to him. I was left to walk around the store while I waited. When I turned the corner, I saw this adorable sign right in the store.
Super cute, right?
It wasn’t long before I was called back to be with Elvis. We hung out in the room while they waited for the test results. He was so ready to go.
The vet came back stating that Elvis had yeast in his ear (yuck) and what we were going to have to do about it. In addition, she talked to me about fleas and ticks and how to prevent them. We then talked about heart worm. Luckily, Elvis tested negative for heartworm so he was going to be getting Proheart 6, an injectable form of heartworm prevention.
Here is a bit of information about Heartworm disease:
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Heartworm disease is one of the most serious and potentially fatal parasites affecting dogs and cats. Pets can contract heartworm disease through a single bite from an infected mosquito.
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Treatment of heartworm disease in dogs is difficult and painful for the dog, as well as expensive for the pet owner. Heartworm disease can be deadly to cats and there is no approved heartworm treatment in the U.S. for cats today.
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Check out the heartworm relevance in your state using this interactive map from Banfield Pet Hospital’s State of Pet Health™ 2014 Report.
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Heartworm prevention is easy, safe and affordable. To properly protect pets from heartworm infection,Banfield Pet Hospital recommends annual heartworm testing and year-round preventive medication for both dogs and cats.
Heartworm is serious business and my dogs have all been treated consistently from the time they are young. I was not familiar with Proheart 6 though.
Here is a bit of information on ProHeart® 6:
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ProHeart® 6 is an injectable heartworm preventive that can be prescribed to healthy dogs over the age of 6 months, which delivers six months of protection in a single dose—offering both convenience and peace of mind to pet owners.
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ProHeart® 6 can protect dogs from dangerous heartworm disease by preventing immature worms from maturing into adults that cause damage in the pet’s heart.
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Before a pet can start on heartworm preventive, he/she needs to be tested to make sure they are free of adult heartworms —this is done through a quick, simple blood test at your veterinarian’s office.
It is so nice to know that we don’t have to try to remember to give Elvis his heartworm medicine every month! You can grab a $10 coupon to get Proheart 6 too.
The Optimum Wellness Plan has been a huge lifesaver for us too. Elvis had to go back to get his ears checked again (three weeks after his initial appointment). Thanks to the Optimum Wellness Plan, we were able to avoid an office visit cost and had a discount for his small procedure. Nice! In case you were wondering, his ear is getting better but we need to continue his medicine and ear cleanses for 2 more weeks. He also lost 2 pounds (yay) but we will be changing his food to a lighter formula as well.
Here is a little more info on the Optimum Wellness Plan:
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Heartworm testing can be administered during a routine office visit. Office visits are always free through.
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Banfield’s Optimum Wellness Plan®, and many plans include annual heartworm tests.
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Banfield believes in preventive veterinary care as the best way to improve the quality and longevity of a pet’s life by reducing the risk of developing serious, costly and sometimes fatal diseases, such as heartworm disease.
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Banfield’s Optimum Wellness Plans can be customizable based on the needs of the individual pet, and combine physical exams, routinely recommended vaccinations and screenings, unlimited free office visits, service discounts and more into one affordable veterinary care package.
I feel very confident in our decision to take Elvis to Banfield Pet Hospital. The vet was knowledgable and the staff was very friendly. They were kind to my scared dog and showed genuine concern for his health.
Because I love your pets too, I am so excited to be able to offer you this awesome giveaway! One winner will receive a free office visit at Banfield Pet Hospital for a dog to receive a free heartworm test and free 6-months of Proheart® 6 (for dogs only).
Chelley @ AisForAdelaide says
I think we have one near us! Our vet is great, but I’d love to check them out. Thanks for sharing!
Mama to 5 BLessings says
Sounds like a great place to care for animals and keep them healthy. Sounds like a great giveaway!
Pam says
Elvis is a cutie! We have taken our pets to Barfield on several occasions and always had great experiences with them.
Jennifer says
We have a Banfiled near us, and I’ve heard great thing about it. I’ll have to check it out. I’m really interested in the injectible heartworm preventative.
Alesha ol says
My dog-in-laws petey and lucey, would get they benefit from this
Stephanie Phelps says
I would love to win this for my little angle. She is 7 yrs old and the most loving dog you have ever seen!
BILL HOFF says
Our miniature sheltie Cheyenne who is a sweet gentle dog that needs a Banfield visit!
Melissa M says
I would love to win this for our 1 year old rescue pup.
shelly leatham says
I want to win for our ShihTzu Ginger Belle!
Laura J says
Oh I would love to win this for my dog Murphy! I adopted him a couple years ago after my previous dog had passed unexpected. I was devistated…and found Murphy at adoption days. He looked so sad and had been looking for a new forever home for over 6 months in another state. One of our local rescues went and picked him up and when I saw him I fell in love with him. He had lost 1/2 his weight and had severe ear infections in both ears. He is doing great today…and gained his weight back and is so happy. I was still using the vet for the adoption group, but its not close to me and I would love to find him a new vet close to home!
KARENALBERTWINSLOW says
i would like to win this for my daughters dog bubba. he uses banfield in mt prospect il & loves them. she also uses them for their cat tiger. when they moved from the town they were living in they moved with them. she even gets his nails clipped there. she is always very happy with the way they take care of bubba.
Kimberly Schotz says
I would like to win this for our dog Mortimer who is a Catahoula Leopard Hound.
Mami2jcn says
I’d like to win it for my poodle Cocoa.
Amy Orvin says
I want to win for my 3 year old shih Tzu. Her name is Toby Tangles and she is the most loyal dog I have ever had. She follows me everywhere! She is a small, 5 lb. Imperial shih Tzu and is white and tan. She is the love of my life.