Preventative Care for the Long Run
Modern Animal is a small animal general practice company founded in Los Angeles during the pandemic, opening its first hospital in April 2020. Since then, the company has expanded to 29 locations across three states, with a strong presence in Southern California, the Bay Area, Texas, and a single clinic in Denver, with Phoenix on the horizon.
“Our model combines traditional veterinary care with modern technology and a focus on culture,” explained Chief Medical Officer Dr. Christie Long. Each clinic is designed to be low-stress and welcoming for both pets and owners. A centralized virtual care team supports all locations, handling communication and consultations through Modern Animal’s proprietary practice management system and mobile app.
Modern Animal’s unique membership model has also contributed to better adherence to preventive care. About 80% of the pets seen at Modern Animal are part of a membership program that covers unlimited exam fees and offers 24/7 virtual care. “The membership isn’t about discounts on preventives,” Dr. Long clarified. “It’s about investing in the pet’s health. Our members are already engaged and willing to do what’s needed to keep their pets healthy. That makes discussions about prevention easier and more effective.”
The shift Dr. Long describes reflects a broader trend in veterinary medicine: moving from reactive treatment to proactive wellness. “More and more, the conversations we’re having with pet owners are about how to keep the pet healthy for as long as possible, not just how to diagnose and treat disease once it appears,” she said. Parasiticides, she emphasizes, are a key part of that conversation, helping pets live longer, healthier lives while reducing the risk of disease transmission to humans.
By combining modern pharmaceuticals with innovative care models, veterinarians
can ensure pets thrive, and families are protected, Dr. Long said. “Prevention is a big part of our philosophy,” she says. “It’s about keeping pets safe, healthy, and happy for as long as possible.”
Year-round commitment
For Modern Animal, parasite prevention has moved beyond seasonal recommendations to a year-round commitment. “Across all our markets, the message is the same,” said Dr. Long. “Year-round prevention is critical.” While the approach varies slightly depending on geography, the goal remains consistent: keep pets protected and their families safe.
In Texas, for example, heartworm disease is so prevalent that many veterinarians recommend an annual injectable medication, which eliminates the risk of missed doses. “Heartworm is rampant down there, and the convenience of an injectable that you don’t have to remember each month is very appealing to clients,” Dr. Long explains. “It’s more expensive upfront, but the assurance that a pet is fully protected is worth it to many families.” In other regions, monthly broad-spectrum preventives remain the standard, ensuring dogs and cats are shielded from fleas, ticks, and other parasites year-round.
Technology has played a major role in improving compliance with preventive care. Modern Animal’s proprietary app allows clients to request medication refills with just a few taps, avoiding the traditional barriers of phone calls or in-person pickups. “If a doctor has prescribed refills, a client can get them instantly through our app,” Dr. Long said. Payments are handled seamlessly through an online pharmacy, making the process easy and convenient. “Technology lowers the barrier for keeping pets on their medications, which is critical for effective prevention,” she adds.
The clinic’s software also helps ensure preventive care isn’t overlooked. When a patient visits, the system flags upcoming needs — whether vaccinations, blood work, or parasite preventives — allowing the team to proactively address gaps in care. “Our team might say, ‘It looks like Gizmo is out of Simparica Trio. Do you want a refill today? Can we do a heartworm test at the same time?’” Dr. Long explained. “It’s about making the process seamless and reminding owners consistently.”
Team involvement is another cornerstone of Modern Animal’s strategy. Dr. Long emphasized that prevention discussions are rarely the sole responsibility of the veterinarian.
“Let’s talk about the human-animal bond for a minute,” Dr. Long said. “Animals aren’t just in our homes — they’re in our beds, next to us, part of the family. That changes everything. Parasiticides are a huge part of keeping pets safe, not only because fleas and ticks are annoying, but because they carry diseases. Some of these diseases can even affect people.”
Dr. Long notes that both ectoparasites, like fleas and ticks, and endoparasites, such as intestinal parasites, pose risks to pets and humans alike. Modern Animal’s approach is to use the safest, broadest-spectrum parasite prevention available. “We want to prevent disease in the patient as well as in any humans they come in contact with,” she explains.
“The conversation is almost always a team discussion,” she said. Veterinary staff are trained to communicate the importance of preventive care, answer questions, and address hesitations from clients. To enhance authenticity, many teams use the products themselves. “When staff know and trust the prevention regimen — because their own pets are on it — they can have honest, authentic conversations with clients,” Dr. Long noted.
Despite the focus on standard preventive protocols, Modern Animal also adapts recommendations to individual lifestyles and needs. Dr. Long describes this as “relationship-based care.” While the clinic knows the gold standard for parasite prevention, not every pet or family can adhere to the same approach. “We work with clients to find the solution that fits their lifestyle,” she says. The annual heartworm injection in Texas is one example, while monthly oral or topical treatments may be more suitable elsewhere. The flexibility ensures that pets remain protected while accommodating real-world circumstances.
Preventive care, Dr. Long emphasized, is also cost-effective over the long term. “Preventing disease keeps pets healthier and ideally costs owners less in the long run,” she said. By investing in parasite prevention, owners can avoid more serious — and expensive — treatments down the line. Modern Animal’s approach combines science, convenience and client education to make preventive care both practical and accessible.
Ultimately, Dr. Long sees parasite prevention as part of a broader philosophy of keeping pets healthy and families safe. By combining technology, thoughtful team communication, and flexible, relationship-based recommendations, Modern Animal ensures that every patient receives tailored protection. Year-round prevention, streamlined access to medication, and a proactive, team-driven approach make it easier for pet owners to maintain consistent parasite protection — a cornerstone of Modern Animal’s preventive care philosophy.
“Prevention isn’t just about avoiding illness — it’s about keeping pets healthy, happy, and living as long as possible,” Dr. Long said. “Parasiticides are just one tool in that mission, but they’re a critical one.”
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