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Most pet owners in society love their pets dearly and hopefully no pet owner wants to lose their little loved ones to something that could have been prevented. Veterinarians are here for a reason: to ensure that your pet is healthy. Some pet owners refrain from taking their animals to vet because of the expense. I can tell you right now that if you love your pets, you will pay whatever the cost for their safety. Now I understand with the economy and other various legitimate reasons that sometimes vet care does not fit your budget. Most veterinary hospitals and care facilities will allow pet owners to have their pet be examined by a veterinarian and have them pay the costs when they can be financially stable. So what other reason could there be to not seek medical attention for your pet?
Just as human babies go to the doctor every couple months for a check-up or shots, puppies and kittens do too! At this age, puppies and kittens are very susceptible to parasites and viruses because their immune system is not fully developed. As a matter of fact, when Tommy was a puppy he had worms. The most common sign of worms in these baby animals is a swollen, enlarged belly. Worms can be very dangerous because since they are parasites, they feed off the insides of puppies and kittens. Anti-parasitic medications can be used to rid the young pet of worms and other parasites. Giving regular routine vaccines and check-ups will help ensure that your baby animal is healthy and strong and should be continued as your pet ages.
For adult dogs and cats, it is recommended that your pet receives an annual wellness examination to make sure your pet does not have any health problems or risk of disease. As pets progress in age, they become more at risk for diseases like cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease and many more. And just like older people, older pets grow weak and tired as the years go by. Increased veterinary care should be given to senior pets to help them stay on a healthy track. For more detailed information on senior pet care, take a look at this AVMA Fact Sheet.
Besides the times where your pet is healthy and should see the vet for annual exams, there are times when your pet gets sick and needs to be seen by the vet as well. Unfortunately, it is more difficult to figure out what is exactly wrong with your pet because they do not have the ability to speak. So it is the duty of a pet owner to make sure their pet is given proper medical attention and treatment. Happy pets are healthy pets and every animal deserves to be happy just as much as they make their owners happy. If any of you would like more detailed information on the importance of vet care, read this article from the Purina Pet Health Library.
Works Cited:
American Veterinary Medical Association. Senior Pet Care
(FAQ). February 2009. 23 January 2013
<http://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Caring-for-an-Older-Pet-FAQs.aspx>.
Purina Care. Pet Health Articles. 23 January 2013
<http://www.pethealthlibrary.purinacare.com/articles/the-importance-of-taking-your-pet-to-the-veterinarian/>.
Excellent post here! We know you're an expert as you work in a veterinary office. But at no point did I feel this was a lecture or a negative discussion. I think we all know that old adage, that "you gather more bees with honey than vinegar," and the way to capture owner's attention is not to blame them but to encourage them.
ReplyDeleteI also appreciate your links to great data, and your citations. Just consider making those citations in blank font, too, for easier reading.
Great first week!