Preventative Care for Pets in Columbia, SC

At ZenPets Integrative Veterinary Care in Columbia, SC, we believe wellness starts with prevention. Our compassionate, whole-pet approach to veterinary care emphasizes early detection, lifestyle-focused support, and stress-free visits that help your pet thrive at every stage of life. Led by Dr. Cara Gardner, our team combines medical, behavioral, and holistic methods to ensure your companion stays healthy, happy, and active. Whether your pet needs a wellness exam, parasite protection,  nutritional, or behavioral support, we’re here to make preventative care simple and effective.

Why Preventive Care Matters for Pets:

Compassionate Care for Every Pet

Preventive pet care isn’t just routine — it’s essential to your pet’s long-term health and comfort. Regular checkups help us catch small issues before they become major problems. That means less time recovering, fewer emergency bills, and more time doing what you love with your pet.

At ZenPets, we take a proactive, integrative approach to preventive care. Every exam is an opportunity to understand your pet’s unique needs, from physical symptoms to behavioral patterns and nutrition. This allows us to tailor care that fits your pet’s body, personality, and environment.

Kitten soaking up the sun on her way to a veterinary preventive appointment with Dr. Gardner

What Services Are Included in Preventive Pet Care?

Our comprehensive preventive care includes everything your pet needs to stay protected, monitored, and on track for optimal wellness. Services include:

  • Annual and semi-annual wellness exams
  • Vaccinations based on your pet’s lifestyle and risk level
  • Heartworm, flea, and tick prevention
  • Nutritional and allergy testing
  • Bloodwork, urinalysis, and diagnostic screenings
  • Core vaccine titers
  • Socialization classes for puppies and kittens, plus behavioral training at any age.
  • Dental evaluations and nail trims
  • Microchipping and non-invasive cancer screenings

Whether you’re caring for a curious kitten or an aging dog, we offer preventive treatments designed to support the full spectrum of health — all in a calm, respectful setting.

How Often Should You Schedule Preventive Vet Visits?

For adult pets,  we follow the American Veterinary Medical Association’s recommendation for wellness visits for all pets every six months. Because of their shorter lifespan, pet’s age faster than we do, so they greatly benefit from exams biannually. These visits allow us to detect early changes and adjust care before symptoms become severe enough to affect their quality of life or develop into painful conditions.

Our team will work with you to determine the best schedule for your pet’s age, health status, and lifestyle. Preventive care is always more effective when it’s consistent and individualized.

What Preventive Care Do Older Pets Need?

As pets age, their needs shift. Joints may stiffen, energy levels change, and new sensitivities may appear. Older pets often require:

  • More frequent physical exams
  • Mobility assessments and pain management
  • Nutritional adjustments
  • Regular lab monitoring for organ function
  • Behavioral support for changes in cognition or anxiety

ZenPets offers additional services like acupuncture, traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, and herbal therapies to help aging pets feel more comfortable and supported.

What’s Included in a Veterinary Wellness Exam?

A wellness exam at ZenPets is thorough, thoughtful, and tailored to your pet. Each visit includes:

  • A full nose-to-tail physical exam
  • Dental health assessment
  • Weight and body condition scoring
  • Nutritional review
  • Screening bloodwork and urinalysis when indicated
  • A behavior and lifestyle history and discussion 

By evaluating the whole pet — not just symptoms — we’re able to guide early intervention and support lasting wellness.

Pets sleeping after preventive care at Zenpets in Columbia SC

Vaccinations for Dogs and Cats in Columbia, SC:

We follow national vaccination guidelines while customizing plans based on your pet’s lifestyle and exposure risks.

Core vaccines for dogs include:

  • Rabies
  • DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
  • Bordetella
  • Leptospirosis (for certain environments)

Core vaccines for cats include:

  • Rabies
  • FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia)
  • FeLV (Feline Leukemia for kittens and outdoor cats)

We also offer titer testing, which helps determine if your pet has adequate immunity — allowing us to avoid unnecessary vaccinations when possible.

Flea and Tick Protection Options:

Parasite prevention in South Carolina is essential year-round. The region’s warm climate and rising flea and tick populations increase the risk of disease and inflammation, especially for young and senior pets. At ZenPets, we provide a range of effective flea and tick prevention solutions, including:

  • Topical and oral medications
  • Heartworm preventives
  • Flea and tick protection

We’ll help you choose the safest and most effective option based on your pet’s age, breed, and environment. Prevention not only protects your pet from infection and skin disease— it protects your home and your peace of mind.

Choosing a Preventive Care Veterinarian in Columbia:

ZenPets offers a level of care that goes far beyond the basics. Dr. Cara Gardner brings more than 20 years of experience and is certified in veterinary acupuncture and trained in chiropractic care and integrative pet medicine. Our team also includes behavioral consultants and licensed technicians who specialize in low-stress handling and personalized attention.

We’re not just checking boxes — we’re building relationships with pets and their people.

Benefits of Routine Preventive Care for Pets:

Preventive care supports every stage of your pet’s life — from their first checkup to their golden years. Benefits include:

  • Early detection of health problems
  • Reduced risk of costly or invasive treatments
  • Longer, more comfortable life for your pet
  • Strengthened trust between you, your pet, and your veterinary team

At ZenPets, we believe that the best outcomes begin with prevention. That’s why we partner closely with pet owners to guide decisions, answer questions, and build confidence in every veterinary care plan.

Dog playing outside, happy and healthy, after preventive pet care in Columbia SC

Compassionate Preventive Care at ZenPets

Preventive care is one of the most important investments you can make in your pet’s well-being. At ZenPets in Columbia, SC, our integrative, low-stress approach helps pets stay healthy while making every visit a positive experience. Whether your pet needs a checkup, vaccines, or personalized health planning, our team is ready to help you take the next step.

Call 803-881-0018 to schedule your pet’s next wellness visit today.

Dog playing outside, happy and healthy, after preventive pet care in Columbia SC

Are you seeking a veterinary practice
that will exceed your expectations?

ZenPets is your answer. Take the first step towards comprehensive and complete pet care by scheduling a consultation today.