Veterinary Services in Yelm, WA

At Yelm Veterinary Hospital, we consider wellness exams to be the foundation of lifelong health for your pet. Just like people, pets benefit from regular checkups to detect potential health issues early, maintain good habits, and strengthen the bond between you and your veterinary team.

What Is a Pet Wellness Exam?

A wellness exam is a routine veterinary visit designed to assess your pet’s overall health and detect early signs of illness—often before any symptoms show up. These exams are essential to preventive care and play a big role in keeping pets healthy, active, and happy throughout their lives.

We recommend wellness exams at least once per year for most pets. For puppies, kittens, senior pets, or those with chronic health conditions, more frequent visits may be necessary.

What to Expect During a Wellness Visit

Wellness exams include a thorough head-to-tail evaluation and may involve the following:

Physical Examination

• Checking the eyes, ears, nose, throat, and mouth
• Listening to heart and lung sounds
• Palpating the abdomen and lymph nodes
• Assessing joint function and mobility
• Examining the skin and coat for signs of irritation or parasites
• Weighing your pet and evaluating their body condition

Laboratory Testing

• Fecal exams to check for intestinal parasites
• Heartworm testing
• Screening for tick-borne illnesses
• Bloodwork and urinalysis (especially recommended for senior pets or those on ongoing medications)

Vaccination Updates

We’ll review and administer core and lifestyle-based vaccines based on your pet’s exposure risk and daily activities.

Parasite Protection

We’ll recommend year-round flea, tick, and heartworm prevention options tailored to your pet’s health and the regional risks in your area.

Nutrition and Home Care Guidance

Our team will help you navigate your pet’s dietary needs, weight goals, exercise routines, and behavior questions. You’ll leave with practical, personalized recommendations for supporting your pet at home.

We know that hearing your pet needs surgery can feel overwhelming. At Yelm Veterinary Hospital, our skilled team is here to provide expert surgical care along with clear communication and support—before, during, and after the procedure.

Whether it’s a routine spay or a more advanced soft tissue surgery, your pet’s safety, comfort, and long-term health are at the center of everything we do.

Soft Tissue Surgeries We Commonly Perform

Soft tissue surgery refers to procedures that involve organs, skin, and muscle—not bones or joints. These surgeries help address a wide variety of medical concerns, including:

• Removal of tumors, growths, or cysts
• Abdominal surgeries, such as bladder stone or foreign body removal
• Spay and neuter procedures
• Hernia repair and correction of certain airway issues
• Wound repair and trauma-related treatment
• Eye, ear, or oral surgery for infection or injury

Prioritizing Safety: Anesthesia & Monitoring

Every surgical case begins with a full physical examination and pre-anesthetic bloodwork to make sure your pet is a good candidate for anesthesia. We develop a personalized anesthesia protocol based on your pet’s age, breed, and current health status.

During the procedure, your pet is closely monitored by a trained surgical technician using advanced equipment to track:

• Heart rate and rhythm
• Respiratory function and oxygen levels
• Blood pressure
• Core body temperature

This real-time monitoring allows us to respond immediately to your pet’s needs throughout the entire procedure.

Pain Management You Can Trust

Pain control is built into every surgical plan. We administer medications before surgery begins to reduce pain during and after the procedure.

Depending on your pet’s needs, we may use:

• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
• Local anesthetics at the surgical site
• Additional pain relief medication as needed for recovery

If your pet has chronic pain or mobility issues, we can also recommend ongoing pain management strategies as part of their post-op care.

Home Recovery & Postoperative Support

When your pet is ready to head home, we’ll provide you with everything you need to help them recover comfortably and confidently, including:

• Easy-to-follow written and verbal home care instructions
• A medication schedule and dietary guidance
• Tips on activity restriction, wound care, and signs to watch for
• A plan for follow-up visits to monitor healing and progress

Early detection plays a crucial role in your pet’s long-term health. At Yelm Veterinary Hospital, we’ve invested in modern diagnostic tools that give us fast, accurate answers—so we can make the right decisions, right when they’re needed.

In-House Laboratory Testing

Our in-house lab allows us to run many diagnostic tests on-site, often with same-day results. That means quicker answers and quicker treatment—especially important when your pet isn’t feeling well.

Some of our most common in-house tests include:

• Urinalysis & Fecal Testing
  Urinalysis helps detect issues like urinary tract infections and kidney dysfunction. Fecal exams check for intestinal parasites—including roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and Giardia—some of which can also pose a risk to humans. Regular testing is especially important for young pets, outdoor explorers, or those with digestive issues.
• Ear Cytology
  We examine ear swabs under a microscope to identify infections, mites, or inflammation.
• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
  A CBC provides valuable insight into immune response, anemia, or infection.
• Pre-Anesthetic Screenings
  Before any procedure requiring sedation, we assess your pet’s organ function to help ensure a safe anesthesia experience.
• Organ-Specific Blood Panels
  These tests allow us to monitor liver and kidney health, track chronic conditions, and investigate changes in appetite, energy, or weight.

Rapid SNAP® Testing

We also offer point-of-care tests for quick detection of common and serious diseases:

• SNAP 4Dx® Plus (for dogs): Screens for heartworm, Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma
• SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo (for cats): Detects Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

Specialty Lab Testing

For more advanced diagnostics, we partner with trusted external laboratories. These labs allow us to offer:

• Allergy testing
• Cytology and biopsy analysis
• Culture and sensitivity testing
• Antibody titers to monitor vaccine protection or immune status

Digital Radiology (X-Rays)

Our digital X-ray system produces sharp, high-resolution images in seconds. This gives us a detailed view of your pet’s internal structures—no waiting, no film processing.

Digital X-rays help us evaluate:

• Bone fractures and joint abnormalities
• Ingested foreign objects
• Heart and lung conditions
• Digestive or urinary blockages
• Abnormal masses or internal swelling

Dental Radiographs

Many serious dental issues are hidden below the gumline. That’s why we use digital dental X-rays during cleanings and oral exams—to spot what we can’t see on the surface.

Dental imaging helps us detect:

• Infected, fractured, or dead teeth
• Tooth root abscesses
• Bone loss from advanced gum disease
• Resorptive lesions (common in cats)

Ultrasound Imaging

Ultrasound gives us a safe, non-invasive way to look inside your pet’s body in real time. Using sound waves, we can examine soft tissues and detect issues that may not show up on X-rays.

Ultrasound is useful for evaluating:

• Organs like the liver, kidneys, spleen, and bladder
• Gastrointestinal concerns such as vomiting or diarrhea
• Lumps, cysts, or suspected tumors
• Internal inflammation or fluid buildup

For anxious or active pets, light sedation may be recommended to help them stay calm during the scan.

Why Pet Diagnostics Matter

Whether your pet is here for a wellness visit or showing signs of illness, diagnostic testing helps us:

• Detect diseases in the earliest stages
• Respond quickly during emergencies
• Design treatment plans based on accurate data
• Provide peace of mind with clear, informed answers

A healthy mouth is key to a healthy pet. At Yelm Vet in Bingen, WA, we provide veterinary dental care that goes beyond just clean teeth—we focus on preventing pain, infection, and more serious health complications that can arise from untreated dental disease.

What Our Pet Dental Services Include

We offer a full range of dental care for dogs and cats, with options to suit every life stage and health status:

• Routine Oral Exams: Identify early signs of dental disease
• Professional Cleanings: Remove tartar and plaque both above and below the gumline
• Home Dental Care Support: Get advice and product recommendations for brushing, chews, and more

Why Dental Health Matters for Pets

Dental disease is extremely common—affecting over 80% of dogs and around 70% of cats by the age of three. And it’s more than just a mouth issue. Left untreated, oral disease can cause:

• Tooth pain and gum inflammation
• Trouble eating or loss of appetite
• Weight loss or behavior changes
• Persistent bad breath
• Bacteria entering the bloodstream, potentially harming the heart, liver, or kidneys

Our Dental Care Approach at Yelm Vet

Every dental visit is tailored to your pet’s needs, based on factors like age, breed, medical history, and oral health status. A typical veterinary dental appointment may include:

• Comprehensive physical and oral exam
• Pre-anesthetic bloodwork to ensure safety
• Customized anesthesia plan
• Digital dental X-rays to uncover hidden problems under the gumline
• Ultrasonic scaling to remove plaque and tartar buildup
• Gum assessment to check for inflammation, pockets, or bone loss
• Tooth extractions, if necessary, due to infection or decay
• Polishing to smooth enamel and slow future tartar buildup
• A personalized home care plan with brushing tips, dental treats, and product suggestions

Signs Your Pet May Have Dental Issues

Pets often don’t show obvious signs of dental pain until the disease is advanced. Be sure to contact us if you notice:

• Persistent bad breath
• Red or swollen gums
• Difficulty chewing or eating
• Drooling or dropping food
• Pawing at the face or mouth

How Regular Dental Care Benefits Your Pet

• Protects Vital Organs: Oral bacteria can travel through the bloodstream and cause damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys. Regular dental care reduces this risk.
• Enhances Quality of Life: Pets without dental pain are more active, eat better, and enjoy a better daily routine.
• Freshens Breath: Say goodbye to “dog breath.” Cleanings help eliminate odor at the source—bacteria and tartar.
• Supports a Longer, Healthier Life:
  Preventive dental care has been linked to increased lifespan and better overall health in pets.

Personalized Dentistry at Our Vet in Yelm, WA

Every pet we see receives individualized dental care recommendations. Our team is here to help you manage your pet’s oral health with:

• Brushing techniques and home care guidance
• Vet-approved dental chews and rinses
• Ongoing prevention plans tailored to your pet’s specific needs

We recommend annual wellness exams for most pets to monitor their health, stay current on vaccinations, and detect any early signs of illness. Puppies, kittens, senior pets, and those with chronic health concerns may need to come in more often. These visits are key to keeping your pet healthy and catching problems before they become more serious.

Dental health plays a big role in your pet’s overall well-being. Without regular care, plaque and tartar can lead to painful gum disease, tooth loss, and infections that may spread to the heart, liver, or kidneys. Professional cleanings and at-home dental care can help prevent these issues and improve your pet’s quality of life.

The best way to protect your pet from fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites is with consistent, year-round prevention. At Yelm Veterinary Hospital, we’ll help you choose the safest and most effective products for your pet’s needs and lifestyle. We also recommend regular testing to check for hidden parasites, especially for outdoor pets or those in multi-pet households.

If your pet is scheduled for surgery, our team will walk you through every step. We begin with a pre-surgical exam and bloodwork to ensure your pet is ready for anesthesia. During surgery, your pet is closely monitored by trained staff and advanced equipment. After the procedure, we provide detailed home care instructions, pain management, and follow-up plans to support a smooth recovery. You’re never alone in the process—we’re here to answer questions anytime.