Pet Preventive Care: The Cornerstone of Their Health

A strong focus on preventive care can help your pets live a long and healthy life. Pets are a part of your family, and you’ll do anything to keep them in the best health possible. Regular check-ups at a veterinary clinic will ensure that the necessary steps are taken to prevent common diseases or sickness related to infection, age, and more. In this article, we will explore the importance of pet preventive care and what preventive measures can be taken to ensure your pet lives their best life.  

What Is Preventive Care?

Preventive care includes a variety of measures taken by your veterinary health professional to ensure the continued good health of your pet. Preventive care is focused on anticipating health issues rather than reacting to them, allowing ample time for treatment.

Types of Preventive Care

·       Routine check-ups (including screening tests)

·       Flea and tick protection

·       Parasite prevention and control

·       Vaccination and disease prevention

·       Nutritional counselling and weight management

Check-ups

Check-ups are the foundation of pet preventive care. Often, a pet’s weight, age, and behaviour can help detect issues early on, helping pet owners avoid costly emergency procedures. Routine check-ups include:

·       Weighing the animal

·       Checking vital organs such as the heart and liver

·       A basic examination of the animal’s skin, eyes, and ears

·       Checking the animal’s bones and muscles

·       Screening tests (blood work, urine testing and blood pressure monitoring)

By verifying all these elements, we can more easily detect any issues our animals may be experiencing or developing. Your veterinarian can also inform you on healthy dental practices for your pet to keep their teeth strong and healthy throughout their lives.

Flea, Tick, and Parasite Prevention

Parasites can carry diseases that are harmful – sometimes fatal – to pets and humans alike. By preventing bites and infestations, you can avoid the possibility of your pet developing skin irritation, suffering from blood loss, or becoming ill with blood-borne diseases.

Parasite prevention can help mitigate the risks of your pet contracting:

·       Lyme disease

·       Babesiosis

·       Anaplasmosis

·       Ehrlichiosis

·       Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

·       Roundworms

·       Tapeworms

·       Hookworms

·       Whipworms

A variety of parasite control treatment options are available to pet owners in both oral and topical form. Your local veterinarian can give you more information on flea, tick, and deworming solutions.

Vaccinations and Disease Prevention

Vaccines are not only a good prevention method for humans. As you may know, when you first adopt an animal, they will most likely have been vaccinated against common diseases. Vaccinations are divided into 2 categories: core and non-core vaccinations. The vaccines recommended for your pet’s optimal health vary depending on the species.

Cats

·       Core vaccines include rabies and FVRCP, which are given in 3 courses

·       The non-core vaccine for felines is to prevent FeLv, or feline leukemia

Dogs

·       Core vaccines include rabies and DHPP, which are given in 3 courses

·       Non-core vaccines include the Bordetella vaccine, Leptospirosis vaccine, and Lyme Disease vaccine.

Nutritional Counselling

Nutrition is something that is often overlooked by most pet owners as being of minimal concern. However, proper nutrition is essential in pet preventive care and weight management. Dietary recommendations based on your pet’s weight, age, and breed should be followed to ensure your pet lives a long and healthy life.

Proper nutrition can also be used to support your pet’s recovery; as they heal from various conditions such as kidney disease, urinary blockage, and others, a tailored nutrition plan can help prevent the exacerbation of their condition.

Consult a Veterinary Clinic for More Help with Preventive Care

If you are looking for advice or pet preventive care treatments, Chapel Hill Veterinary Clinic will be glad to assist you in determining the best measures for your pet and to help protect them from long-term health issues. For more information and to book an appointment, contact us today.