10 things your veterinarian wishes you knew
Karen B. Gibbs
iVillage
Sep. 24, 2014 at 12:00 PM ET
Nearly every pet has a minor freak-out during its annual
checkup, so chances are that you’re more focused on keeping your pup or
cat calm than having a heart-to-heart with your vet about its health.
That’s why we asked vets around the country to share one piece of
stay-healthy advice every pet owner should know. From dental care to
diet, here’s what they had to say.
Jon Schulte/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images
Annual exams are a must.
Bringing your pet to the vet once a year is a simple, effective way to maintain its good health.
“Preventive
exams actually save money and allow your pet to live longer," explains
Dr. Ted Cohn, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association
and companion animal practitioner for 35 years. Treating a problem early
increases the chance for success, minimizes discomfort for the pet and
costs less in the long run.
Pets older than 6 months need
yearly exams, Cohn suggests, while puppies under 6 months and senior
pets should have wellness exams twice a year.
Seek out a specialist.
Animals can develop tough-to-treat medical issues that are best handled by a specially trained vet.
“If
your pet has a condition that isn’t improving, or requires testing or
procedures beyond the scope of your veterinarian, consult a specialist,”
says Dr. Mary Ann Crawford, internal medicine specialist at Oradell
Animal Hospital in Paramus, New Jersey.
With an additional three
to five years of training, specialists have a greater knowledge of the
unusual, uncommon or downright rare. Your veterinarian will work closely
with them and resume care once your pet once is stable or has
recovered.
Don't try to diagnose your pet.
"When
in doubt, don't consult with Dr. Google," says Dr. Bernadine Cruz, a
companion animal veterinarian in Laguna Hills, Calif. "You get what you
pay for. When your pet has a problem, you need professional eyes, ears,
fingers and sometimes diagnostic tests to assess it.”
Microchip your pet.
"Microchips
can save your pet's life," says Dr. Larry Dee, a Hollywood, Florida, a
small animal veterinarian and American Veterinary Medical Association
executive board member. And he’s not kidding.
Consider this: If
your pet breaks out of the backyard, it could end up in a shelter and
possibly euthanized (or adopted by another family). A microchip will
speak up when your little buddy can’t, offering your contact information
when scanned. It’s a painless procedure — the tiny chip is just
implanted between your pet’s shoulder blades — and relatively
inexpensive. Veterinarians and animal shelters will most often implant
chips for less than $50.
Cats need extra attention.
"Cats
are very good at hiding diseases, so it's challenging to know when
yours is sick" says Dr. Marcus Brown, president-elect of the American
Association of Feline Practitioners and a cat-only veterinarian in
Arlington, Virginia. His suggestion? Two check-ups a year, and keep an
eye out for any new behaviors in between vet visits.
“Subtle
changes such as weight loss, eating less, not greeting you at the door
or peeing outside the litter box are significant with cats, and should
prompt a call to your veterinarian," he says.
Be smart about nutrition.
“If
you love your pet, keep it lean," suggests Dr. Laura Eirmann, a
board-certified veterinary nutritionist and clinical nutritionist at
Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus, New Jersey. From a nutritional
standpoint, Eirmann says that keeping your pet fit is the single-most
important factor that will increase the lifespan of your dog or cat.
Make sure the pet food you buy states somewhere on the label that it is
AAFCO-approved, meaning it is complete, balanced and appropriate for
your pet's stage in life.
Don't forget about their teeth.
Don’t count on a bone or bowl of dry food to get your pet’s teeth clean.
“Dogs
and cats need routine dental care, including full-mouth X-rays, to
reveal hidden problems,” says Dr. Larry Dee, a small animal veterinarian
in Hollywood, Flordia. The imaging picks up potential issues like
abscessed teeth or receding or infected gums, which can cause pain and —
worse — infect the heart and kidneys.
A full workup does involve
anesthesia, which sounds extreme but is very necessary. Without it, a
thorough cleaning — especially under the gum line — can’t be done.
Hamsters (and other small rodents) need check-ups, too.
Speaking
of teeth, your small rodents also need to be examined once a year, says
Dr. Suzanne Scott, a Houston-area companion animal and exotic pets
veterinarian. That’s because their choppers grow continuously, and if
they don’t line up correctly, they will grow sideways and develop sharp
points that cut into the gums. As a result, the pet doesn't eat.
Don't
count on keeping an eye on these teeth yourself. Back teeth are usually
the problem, and they are all but impossible for you to see.
Keep your meds out of reach.
Pets
— especially dogs — can sniff out and gulp down trouble, so keep all
dangerous substances out of reach. That includes prescription and
over-the-counter medications, which can be lethal in pets, says Dr. Ted
Cohn, a Denver-based companion animal veterinarian. "Acetaminophen, in
particular, is toxic to dogs — even more so to cats," he adds.
Be proactive about flea control.
Even
if you don’t spot fleas on your pet, it can just take one to send your
bestie into a scratching fit (especially if he’s sensitive to flea
saliva). A good rule of thumb? If your pet is itching, biting or
scratching, chances are it’s because of fleas, says Dr. Cruz.
Thankfully,
the fix is easy: Year-round flea control on all your pets is what’s
needed. If your pet's still itching after that, it's time to consult
your veterinarian.
Source:
http://www.today.com/pets/10-things-your-veterinarian-wishes-you-knew-I545874
A version of this story originally appeared on iVillage.
