At Universal Pet Hospital in Palo Alto, preventive care is the foundation of a long and healthy life for your dog or cat. Our Fear Free Certified team builds personalized health plans for every patient, from a puppy receiving their first vaccines to a senior dog due for a comprehensive biannual exam. By staying proactive, we identify changes before they become serious concerns and help you make confident decisions about your pet's wellbeing at every stage of life. We welcome new clients and offer same-day appointments when available. Call (650) 362-7969 to schedule your pet's next visit.
Vaccines are among the most effective tools we have for protecting your pet from serious, life-threatening diseases. At Universal Pet Hospital, we follow current AAHA and AVMA vaccine guidelines and tailor every schedule to your pet's age, lifestyle, and individual risk profile rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. Core vaccines for dogs include protection against distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and rabies. Core vaccines for cats include protection against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and rabies, which is legally required in California. We also discuss lifestyle vaccines at every wellness visit, including Bordetella, leptospirosis, feline leukemia virus, and rattlesnake vaccine for dogs spending time in Palo Alto's surrounding hills and open space preserves. Staying current on vaccines is one of the most important things you can do to protect your pet's long-term health.
A thorough physical examination is the cornerstone of preventive care for every dog and cat we see. During a wellness visit at our Palo Alto clinic, our veterinarians evaluate your pet's weight and body condition score, skin and coat health, ear and eye clarity, dental health, lymph nodes, heart and lung sounds, and joint mobility. These exams allow us to catch subtle changes before they develop into more significant concerns, build a complete health record over your pet's lifetime, and give you dedicated time with your veterinarian to ask questions about behavior, nutrition, or anything else on your mind. We recommend annual exams for adult pets and biannual exams for seniors (age 7 and older for dogs, 10 and older for cats), as well as more frequent visits for puppies and kittens during their first year.
The Bay Area's mild year-round climate means fleas and ticks remain active in every season, including around Palo Alto's parks, trails, and open space preserves. Flea infestations can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and anemia in small or young pets. Ticks in our area can transmit serious illness. We recommend year-round flea and tick prevention for all dogs and cats, including those who are primarily indoors, since fleas can enter the home on clothing and visiting pets. Our team will help you choose the most appropriate preventive option for your pet's age, size, species, and lifestyle. Ask about flea and tick prevention at your next wellness visit.
A microchip provides permanent, reliable identification for your dog or cat that cannot fall off, fade, or be removed. Each chip is encoded with a unique number linked to your contact information in a national registry, so a shelter or veterinary clinic can reach you directly if your pet is found. The procedure takes only a moment in clinic without anesthesia and causes minimal discomfort. We recommend microchipping for all pets, including those who live primarily indoors, since cats and dogs can escape unexpectedly through open doors or windows. If your pet is already microchipped, we will confirm the registration is current at your next wellness visit.
Many puppies and kittens are born with intestinal parasites or acquire them through their mother in the first weeks of life. Adult pets can pick up roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and Giardia from soil, water, or prey animals throughout their lives. Giardia is a particular concern in the Bay Area, where it is found in natural water sources and is commonly seen in multi-pet households. We begin deworming protocols in the first weeks of a puppy or kitten's life and continue based on age and fecal test results. Annual fecal screening is recommended for all adult pets, including those on regular parasite prevention, to detect organisms that monthly preventives do not cover.
Overgrown nails are one of the most common and most easily preventable sources of discomfort for dogs and cats. Long nails can change the way your pet walks, placing abnormal strain on the joints and causing pain over time. Regular nail trims, typically every two to four weeks depending on your pet's activity level, are an important part of maintaining their physical comfort and long-term joint health. Our Fear Free Certified team performs nail trims in a calm, low-stress environment using positive reinforcement. If your pet experiences significant anxiety during nail trims at home or in the clinic, ask about our sedated nail trim service, available for both dogs and cats.
Regular ear cleaning helps prevent the buildup of wax, debris, and moisture that can lead to ear infections, particularly in dogs with floppy or heavily furred ears. During wellness visits, our team checks your pet's ears for redness, odor, discharge, or early signs of infection and performs gentle cleaning as needed. We can also show you how to safely maintain your pet's ear health between visits. If we find signs of an active infection during an ear examination, we will recommend further evaluation and an appropriate management plan before the problem worsens.
Anal glands are small glands on either side of your pet's rectum that typically empty during bowel movements. Some dogs and cats develop recurring fullness or impaction that causes discomfort and can lead to infection if not addressed. Common signs include scooting on the floor, licking at the base of the tail, or a persistent fishy odor. We check anal glands during wellness visits for pets with a history of recurring issues and perform manual expression when indicated. Pets with chronic anal gland problems may also benefit from dietary adjustments to support consistent and natural emptying between visits.
Keep your pet healthy year-round with personalized preventive care at Universal Pet Hospital in Palo Alto. Call (650) 362-7969 or book online to schedule a wellness exam, vaccinations, or parasite screening. Same-day appointments are available when possible.
