Routine veterinary appointments contribute to your pet’s longevity, health, and happiness. Annual or biannual exams help identify and treat growing health problems, which is critical for extending your pet’s time with you. Early detection and intervention enable your veterinarian to treat a disease in its infancy and subsequently manage it with medication or simple lifestyle adjustments. Additionally, your vet may provide you with advice on assisting your pet in living a healthy life and avoiding future medical problems.
What is the importance of routine pet checkups?
Annual examinations with your veterinarian allow for the identification of health changes and the early detection of underlying disorders. The following are some reasons why your pet should get routine veterinary examinations from companies like Little Miami Veterinary.
Vaccines
Vaccines are well-known and necessary for our pets. A simple vaccine can prevent deadly infectious diseases like Parvo and Distemper in puppies. The dangerous Feline Leukemia and Panleukopenia viruses infect cats. Vaccinations and boosters are required for all pups and kittens. Booster shots for bacterial vaccines including Leptospira, Lyme, and Bordetella should be given at least once a year. Even older pets require boosters to avoid lethal Lepto infections, devastating Lyme disease, and annoying Bordetella (Kennel Cough). To learn more about vaccines and basic pet care, visit LittleMiamiVetClinic.com.
Dental Care
Pets, like humans, require dental care. The ultrasonic scaler and polisher should be used even if you brush your pet’s teeth twice a day at home. This is the same tool your dentist uses on you every six months for cleaning and exams. Dental calculus, gingivitis, and tooth decay are common in dogs and cats. They need their teeth cleaned at least once a year, starting at one year.
Minor dental issues require more frequent cleanings, such as tartar buildup in small dogs. Without scaling and polishing, pets suffer foul breath, dental decay, and root abscesses. Severe gum disease can also cause persistent infection, allowing bacteria into the bloodstream. Bacteria in the blood can produce abscesses in the liver and elsewhere in the body. Early dental cleanings can avoid tooth deterioration and damage. To learn more about dental care procedures, visit this page.
Tick and Flea Control
Fleas and ticks can cause serious injury to your pet. These microscopic parasites can cause serious illness in your cat. Ticks, for example, convey Lyme, Babesia, Ehrlichia, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Fleas can transfer tapeworms to your pets! Fleas can also transmit Bartonella, the bacteria that causes Cat Scratch Fever and cause severe anemia from their blood-sucking diet. All pets should be on the right flea and tick prevention for their location.
Heartworm Control
Do you know that heartworms may infect cats as well as dogs? Heartworm prevention should be given to all pets in the US for life. Mosquitos spread this dangerous worm infection from infected animals to your pet, putting even indoor pets at risk.
Heartworms have been recorded in all 50 states. Oral, topical, or injectable prevention should be started on all pups and kittens before six months of age. Heartworm treatment for your dog might be costly. Unfortunately, there is no therapy for cats; therefore, they must be protected.
Conclusion
As you can see, the benefits of annual exams for your pet greatly outweigh any potential drawbacks. Annual examinations for your pet will help you save money and guarantee that your dog has all the necessary immunizations. If you haven’t been doing so already, you now have four compelling reasons to ensure that your pet receives an annual physical examination.
