When caring for your pet, regular physical examinations are a must. These wellness exams allow the vet to spot health problems early on and recommend treatments or medications before they become serious.
Many veterinarians conduct a complete nose-to-tail checkup of the animal, examining the mouth, ears, skin and coat, eyes, and more. Regular visits to the clinic also help build a relationship between pet owners and veterinarians.
Preventative Care
Vaccines and parasite prevention are vital parts of preventative care for dogs. The reason diseases like distemper and rabies are now infrequent is due to large-scale vaccination in the dog population.
Preventative care is also about educating pet owners on how to keep their pets healthy at home. Good nutrition, food quality, regular exercise, and daily brushing and cleaning can go a long way to keeping your pet healthy.
Another part of preventative care is building a relationship with your veterinarian. They’ll get to know your pet and their normal behavior, making it easier to spot issues when they arise. This is especially important in weight management because catching issues early can make them much easier and less expensive.
Grooming
Grooming is not only a pleasant experience for your pet but is also very important for their health. It can help prevent skin problems and other diseases. For example, if your pet has long nails and they don’t get worn down, they can grow into the skin or paws and cause pain and infection. Nail trimming is a service that the groomer can provide and should be done regularly.
The groomer can also look for other health issues, like lumps and bumps, during the grooming process. If they see a problem, they can notify the veterinarian and avoid a trip to the animal hospital.
It’s a great idea for pet owners to visit a pet clinic, Spanish Fort Al, that offers both grooming and veterinary services. This way, they can save time and money by caring for both simultaneously.
Routine Checkups
Veterinarians perform essential checkups regularly to ensure that your pet is healthy. During these visits, they will review your dog or cat’s medical history and discuss any concerns you may have. They will also ask you about your pet’s diet, exercise, level of thirst and hunger, bowel movements, urination, general lifestyle, and demeanor.
They will then do a physical exam of your pet. They will look for signs of illness like enlarged lymph nodes, cataracts, heart disease, tumors, and arthritis. They will also examine the nose and eyes, mouth and teeth, and ear for infection or other issues. They will also check for subtle clues, such as a change in breath smell, that could signal a problem. The goal is to spot potential problems at their earliest stages when they are more accessible and less costly.
Vaccinations
Like people, dogs and cats need regular physical checkups and vaccinations. This helps to ensure your pet is healthy and protected against diseases that can be fatal.
A vaccine is a suspension of weakened, killed, or inactivated microorganisms, their toxins, or one of their surface proteins that stimulate your pet’s immune system to produce antibodies to that germ. There are several types of vaccines:
Some contain formaldehyde, mercury, or aluminum. These are used as preservatives and inactivators and are only present in trace amounts in the final vaccine. Vaccines are much safer and more effective than natural immunity. They also prevent disease transmission to other pets and humans. They are recommended for all puppies and kittens.
Emergency Care
Many pet owners visit a vet because they are experiencing health concerns. This can include diarrhea, vomiting, swollen joints or glands. Visiting a veterinarian can help pet parents learn more about what causes these conditions so they can prevent them from occurring again in the future.
Visits to a vet can be stressful for pets, so it’s best to prepare them in advance. Consider allowing your dog or cat to walk around the clinic before their appointment and acclimate to the new surroundings. They can also bring their favorite toys and blankets to make them feel comfortable. Small critters like ferrets and hamsters may do better in their careers.
Pets experience medical conditions similar to those experienced by humans, so enrolling them in clinical studies helps improve human medicine as well. Ask if your veterinarian offers this service.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.