Keep Your Pet In Tip Top Shape

Many pet owners do not consider avoidable risks and hazards to their pets ahead of time. Prevention is less traumatic and less costly than treatment. Here are a few basic steps that you as a pet owner, can take to keep your pets healthy and reduce the need for interventional treatment.

1. See your veterinarian

The first step is to make use of your veterinarian as a source for early detection and information. Your pet should be thoroughly examined by your veterinarian at least yearly. Regular physical examinations often allow your veterinarian to detect problems before they become critical.

2. Observation

Always be aware of what is going on with your pets. Are they active and playful? Is their weight and body condition good? Do they smell clean? Changes in appetite, toilet habits and water intake can be an indication of a problem. Carefully observe your pets when they’re healthy. After all, if you don’t know what is normal, how can you recognise a change?

3. Avoid common threats

Keep your dog in a fenced, enclosed yard and ensure your dog stays on a leash when walking. These precautions can reduce the risk of fighting, eating toxic substances, automobile accidents and encountering other animals that may be sick.

4. Vaccinate

Preventing infectious diseases involves a combination of avoidance and immunisation. Vaccination recommendations have changed a great deal in recent years and it is important that you discuss preventive vaccination options with your veterinarian.

5. Stay on top of parasites

Using year-round controls and preventives. These parasites pose a threat to dogs, cats and people (especially children). While some parasitic diseases are incurable they are often avoidable.

6. Reduce the risk of dental disease

Daily brushing will not necessarily prevent the need for veterinary dental care, but will do much to control tartar, calculus and gum disease. Ask your veterinarian to teach you how to brush your pets teeth.

7. Practice regular hygiene

Diseases of the ears and skin cause discomfort to your pet and can lead to chronic problems. Make sure your pet is well groomed and clean. Evaluate their ears for discharge and odour and ask your veterinarian how best to keep them clean.

8. Prevent pet obesity

Obesity puts dogs and cats at risk of avoidable health problems. As we are responsible for feeding our pets, we are also responsible for their diet and weight management. Although many pet owners will admit their pet is overweight, they do not consider it to be a health problem and are not aware of the many issues and conditions than can arise as a result.

None of these steps are difficult, nor are they particularly costly, but they are significant to the health and quality of life of your pet.

If you have any questions or concerns, please Contact Us.