As dedicated cat owners, providing the best possible care for our feline companions is paramount. Banfield Pet Hospital offers a range of preventive health plans designed to ensure your cat receives regular, high-quality veterinary attention. This guide delves into the specifics of their offerings, focusing on what is included to help you make informed decisions about your cat’s well-being.
Understanding Banfield’s Preventive Health Plans
Banfield Pet Hospital provides a structured approach to veterinary care, emphasizing proactive measures to maintain your cat’s health. Their plans are designed to cover a wide array of essential services, from routine check-ups and vaccinations to diagnostic tests and even dental care. The core philosophy is to offer unlimited access to veterinary advice and a baseline of services that promote long-term health, with additional discounts on many other products and services.
Key Inclusions in the Preventive Health Plan for Cats
Banfield’s plans are comprehensive, aiming to address all fundamental aspects of preventive feline healthcare. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:
Unlimited Veterinary Access and Advice
- Office Visits: Enrolled pets receive unlimited office visits at any Banfield Pet Hospital location, meaning you can bring your cat in for non-emergency concerns without incurring extra visit fees.
- Pet Chat™: This 24/7 veterinary advice service allows you to upload short videos of your pet to receive guidance, offering peace of mind when you have concerns outside of regular hours.
Proactive Health Monitoring and Examinations
- Comprehensive Exams: Two comprehensive exams per year are included. These thorough examinations assess your cat’s overall health, establishing a baseline for what “healthy” looks like and monitoring any changes over time. This includes evaluations of the cardiovascular system, skin and coat, oral health, musculoskeletal and neurological systems, as well as eye, ear, and lung assessments.
- Diagnostic Testing (Blood Work): Two sets of blood work are included annually. This vital testing helps establish baseline health parameters and monitor key indicators for liver and kidney function, as well as other important health metrics.
- Electrolyte Panel: Paired with blood work, this test helps identify dehydration and underlying medical conditions.
- Urinalysis: Two urinalysis tests are performed annually to help detect infections, dehydration, and other diseases. This includes a urine sediment exam and a urine specific gravity test.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): Two ECGs are included per year to detect potential heart abnormalities.
- Radiographs (X-rays): Three views of the same body area are included, allowing for the detection of changes in bones, joints, and organs.
- Radiograph Consultation: An expert consultation by a radiologist is provided once a year for interpretations of X-rays.
- Sedation for Radiographs: This is included once a year for your pet’s comfort and safety during X-ray procedures.
- Blood Pressure Evaluation: Two evaluations are recommended, especially for older pets or those with specific medical conditions or medications requiring monitoring.
- Thyroid (T4) Testing: Two tests are included annually to detect early signs of thyroid problems, facilitating prompt intervention.
- Symmetric Dimethylarginine (SDMA) Testing: Two advanced kidney tests are included, offering insights into kidney function and early detection of kidney disease.
- Cardio Pro BNP: This additional blood work, included once a year, helps determine the presence of heart disease.
Essential Vaccinations and Parasite Prevention
- Routinely Recommended Vaccinations: The plan covers essential vaccinations such as Feline Distemper and Rabies, administered annually. Feline Leukemia vaccination is also included. Booster shots are covered within the first year of the plan. Note that your veterinarian may recommend additional vaccinations not covered by the plan.
- Heartworm Test: One heartworm blood test is included annually to detect feline heartworm disease.
- Fecal Exams: Two fecal exams per year are included to screen for intestinal parasites and other harmful organisms.
- Deworming: Twice a year, deworming is provided to treat common intestinal parasites like roundworm and hookworm.
- First Year Inclusions: In addition to the above, the first year of your plan includes an ear swab with cytology and stain, as well as a feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus test.
Specialized Care
- Dental Cleaning: One professional dental cleaning under anesthesia is included annually. This service is comprehensive, including pre-anesthetic blood testing with an electrolyte panel and continuous monitoring throughout the procedure and recovery.
- Pet Wellness 1-1: Two individual phone coaching sessions focused on nutrition with a trained pet care advisor are available each year.
- Virtual Visits: Two virtual visits are included annually, allowing you to consult with your veterinary team from home.
Discounts on Additional Services and Products
Beyond the included services, Banfield plans offer a 20% discount on most other Banfield services and products. This includes medications, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, surgical and elective procedures (such as dental extractions), lab tests, and specialty exams. However, certain exclusions apply, such as PetSmart products and services (boarding, grooming, training), county/state licenses, cremation, custom compounded medications, outside specialist fees, and therapeutic diets and supplements.
By enrolling in a Banfield Pet Hospital preventive health plan, you are investing in a proactive approach to your cat’s health, ensuring they receive consistent, quality care to live a long and healthy life.
