Spring Pet Health Checks: Essential for Wellness

Admin Team

With the arrival of Spring and the rise in temperatures, it's important to prepare your furry companion for the potential health challenges that come with the season. Parasites like ticks and fleas become more active, and exposure to grass seeds, allergens and biting insects increases. A proactive Spring Wellness Checkup can help ensure your pet is in optimal health and ready to enjoy all the outdoor excitement the season brings. 


Here’s why a Spring Health Check is a must for your pet: 


1. Ticks, Fleas, and Parasite Prevention 

As temperatures rise, ticks and fleas become more active, posing a serious threat to your pet’s health. These parasites can carry diseases like Lyme disease and tapeworm, which can affect both pets and humans. A wellness exam will allow your veterinarian to: 

  • Check for signs of tick and flea infestations. 
  • Recommend year-round prevention through topical treatments, oral medications, or even the new injectable options for annual protection. 
  • Discuss deworming schedules to ensure your pet stays parasite-free, especially after spending more time outside. 


Tip: Protecting your pet from ticks and fleas is key to preventing serious illnesses. Talk to your vet about the best option for your pet’s life stage and lifestyle. 


2. Vaccination Updates 

Spring brings more outdoor exposure to other animals, increasing the risk of diseases like parvovirus, distemper, and kennel cough. If your pet’s vaccinations are due for renewal, now is the perfect time to update them. 

We will: 

  • Review your pet’s vaccination schedule and ensure they are up to date on core vaccines. 
  • Discuss non-core vaccines, such as the leptospirosis vaccine, which is recommended for pets who spend time outdoors in rural or wooded areas. 
  • Vaccines are essential for preventing serious diseases, especially as your pet comes into contact with more animals during walks, playdates, or visits to the park. 

3. Allergy Awareness and Management 

Spring is beautiful, but it can be tough for pets with seasonal allergies. Pollen, grass, and even insect bites can trigger allergies, leading to itchy skin, watery eyes, or constant licking. 

During your pet’s spring wellness exam, we can: 

  • Identify signs of seasonal allergies and recommend treatments such as antihistamines, special shampoos, or dietary changes to ease symptoms. 
  • Offer advice on preventing allergic reactions, including avoiding certain outdoor areas during peak pollen times and using allergy-friendly products at home. 

Allergies can affect your pet’s comfort, so it’s important to catch them early and manage them effectively. 

4. Nutrition and Weight Management 

Many pets tend to gain weight during the winter months due to reduced physical activity. Spring is a great time to assess your pet’s diet and activity level to ensure they’re in top shape. 

Get in touch with us to: 

  • Evaluate your pet’s weight and recommend a suitable diet if they’ve put on a few extra pounds. 
  • Provide nutritional advice tailored to your pet’s breed, age, and activity level to support healthy weight loss or maintenance. 
  • Suggest enrichment activities to keep your pet active and engaged, from outdoor play to interactive toys. 
  • Proper nutrition and regular exercise are key to keeping your pet healthy year-round. 

Schedule Your Pet’s Spring Wellness Exam Today 

Spring is the perfect time for a fresh start — for both you and your pet. 


By scheduling a spring health check, you’re giving your pet the best chance to thrive during the warmer months. 


From flea and tick prevention to vaccinations, allergy management, and beyond, a wellness exam ensures your pet is healthy, protected, and ready to enjoy the great outdoors. 


Don’t wait — book your pet’s spring wellness exam today and keep them safe and happy all season long

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Important YVV Update

By Admin Team • February 17, 2026
Sadly, we have had some staff changes recently at Yass Valley Veterinary. After 3 years, Dr Issy Card has taken a small animal position in Canberra. Our recently married Dr Anne Cusack is relocating to Wagga for her husband’s work, and Dr Natalie Flew is also leaving us to work in an emergency afterhours clinic in Canberra with more suitable hours for her new family. We will all miss these three amiable, dedicated and competent veterinarians and wish them well in their future pursuits. Dr Stuart Williams, after almost 33 years at Yass Valley Veterinary (15 years as a partner with Dr Peter Gibbs and 15 years as sole principal), is resigning from his full-time position at the end of February. He is looking forward to having a break away from afterhours on call and managing a large staff across two hospitals. Working as a volunteer veterinarian in Australia and overseas, travelling with his wife Cath and spending some much needed time at home and in the garden, is on the agenda for Stuart in the short term. Dr Tamara Butler, who has been with the business for 17 years, will be promoted to the Lead Vet role when Stuart resigns. Dr Nicole McKenzie will take on the Tamara’s Veterinary Manager role, while Ms Carrie Luckie will retain the Practice Manager role. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and care that each of our departing veterinarians has given to our clients and patients, and their departures will mean a temporary change to our service availability. Be assured that we are actively and enthusiastically recruiting veterinarians to join our team. We’d like to introduce Dr Josh Tannen, a small animal veterinarian & surgeon, who will be with us until April. This experienced and easy-going locum will be very welcome by the team. However, in the short term, we will be operating with a smaller team, so there may be occasions where we are unable to provide the full range of services that are currently provided. What does this mean for you? • At times, we may need to rotate Saturday clinic closures. • There will be evenings or weekends when we do not have an after-hours veterinarian available. We will always do our best to keep you informed. Any changes to opening hours or services will be communicated via our social media pages and through notifications on the Yass Vet App. As always, if you require after-hours assistance when a veterinarian is not available, please call us on 6226 4444. Your call will be answered by a team of qualified nurses who will triage your situation and direct you to the closest appropriate emergency hospital if needed. We truly appreciate your understanding, patience, and ongoing support during this period of transition. Our commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care for your animals remains at the heart of everything we do.