How often should I take my pet to the veterinarian?
If you love your pet and want to have a long life together, routine veterinarian care is key. Pets can’t alert you to their health problems the way people can, and delaying treatment can be expensive and life-threatening.
Talk with your veterinarian about how often you should take your pet in for the care he/she needs, but generally all cats and dogs need to visit the veterinarian annually.
Here are some important examples of care that pets need:
Vaccinations
Just like with human children, kittens and puppies need a variety of shots to protect them from potentially fatal diseases. Vaccinations can start as early as six weeks, and then the pet gets re-vaccinated every three to four weeks until they’re about 16 weeks old. They will also need their first rabies vaccination when they are three to four months old. Adult pets require rabies revaccination every one to three years for life.
Spay/Neuter
In addition to preventing unwanted litters and overcrowding shelters, spaying/neutering also has health benefits. The procedures help modify behaviors that can make animals restless and aggressive, and spaying/neutering can even help prevent cancer and other diseases. Pets are spayed/neutered as early as eight weeks of age. Click here to learn more about spaying/neutering.
Annual Health Exams
Pets age approximately seven times more quickly than humans, making annual exams even more critical for preventing diseases, injuries and pain. By establishing a baseline medical history for your pet, your veterinarian will be able to identify any abnormal changes in your pet’s health and begin treatment right away.
Heartworm Prevention and Treatment
Heartworms are commonly fatal, and they are much easier to prevent than to treat. In annual exams, your veterinarian can provide the best advice for safeguarding your pet.
Weight Management and Diet Recommendations
While it is hard to say no to those cute little faces, we too often provide our pets with too many treats and too little exercise. Overweight dogs and cats can face serious health problems, so talk with your veterinarian about what your pet’s ideal weight is — and how to maintain that.
Flea and Tick Prevention and Treatment
Fleas and ticks aren’t just irritating to your pets; they also can carry many dangerous diseases. Your veterinarian can provide the best advice on how to safely prevent ticks, fleas and infestations in your home.
Dental Exams
Just like humans, dogs and cats require regular dental care. Exams during annual check-ups can help prevent tooth decay, bad breath, gum disease and infections that can lead to major illnesses and discomfort.
Older Pet Wellness Exams
Because pets age much more quickly than humans, it is especially important for regular check-ups. Older pet wellness exams screen for diseases, arthritis and more.
Behavior Evaluations
Your pet’s behavior is not always just an inevitable part of their personality. Your veterinarian may be able to identify how your pet’s health is adversely affecting his/her behavior — and work with you to improve the situation.
Veterinarians can also help solve behavior problems that may not stem from a medical issue, such as separation anxiety or failure to use the litter box.
Click here to find a trusted Northern Nevada veterinarian in your neighborhood to discuss the veterinary care that will lead to a longer, healthier life.
