Benefits of Scheduling Regular Check-Ups for Your Pets
Our pets are our best friends, and just like the rest of our friends and family, we want them to lead long, healthy lives. However, too often, pet owners overlook their responsibility to their pets. Whether due to laziness or disinterest, pet owners often put off chores or tasks that they know will improve their pet’s quality of life. More accountable pet owners understand the benefits of scheduling regular check-ups for their pets and ensure their pet is seen by a vet at least once a year.
Uncover Unaddressed Health Issues
Pets can be very difficult to read, especially when it comes to their health. Not only are they unable to vocalize their feelings and infirmaries, but some also actively work to mask their pain. Dogs, for instance, have inherited an instinct to hide their pain so they would seem less vulnerable in the wild.
Good pet owners should recognize that there is much more to their pet’s health than meets the eyes. It is not enough to simply look at your pet, decide they are fine, and go about your business. Pets need regular check-ups, at least once a year, to confirm or disprove their owner’s assumptions about their health. If the owner gets there sooner rather than later, they might be able to save the animal from a life-threatening illness.
Manage the Pet’s Later Years
One of the major benefits of scheduling regular check-ups for your pets is that the veterinarian can monitor your pet’s health as they age. By comparing the condition of the pet from one visit to the next, supplanted with state-of-the-art technology, veterinarians are able to build a fuller picture of the animal’s condition. From this, they can determine what ailments are the products of age and what could be the early development of a disease.
Veterinarians can also spot age-related mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and dementia. Pets can pick up new allergies as they age as well, which may impact their skin, breathing, and kidneys. New allergic reactions can only be confirmed by a veterinarian.
Vaccinations
As a matter of housekeeping, pets should be signed up for yearly vaccinations. For dogs, a trip to the veterinarian should include vaccinations for:
- Canine parvovirus
- Distemper
- Canine hepatitis
- Rabies
For cats, the vaccinations include:
- Feline distemper
- Feline calicivirus
- Feline herpesvirus type I
- Rabies
Veterinarians can determine which vaccines are right for your pet and when to administer them.