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If you own a pet, then you understand how important preventive pet medical care is to your pet's health and well being. Our pets are important members of the family! Just like humans, pets need regular check ups and preventive care to make sure they live long and healthy lives. Humans get annual health exams, pets should too. Not only do pets need medical attention, they also require positive emotional attention and love in order to thrive. Below you'll find some pet specific tips for caring for your pet to ensure he or she does not develop any major health problems.
Basic Pet Care
Basic pet care helps prevent serious disease. Basic pet care for your pet should include regular veterinarian check ups, dental check ups, grooming and a good dose of love every day. You should provide your pet with his or her own area to retreat to when they need time alone. Pets are very much like people in many ways. They need a clean place to sleep and cuddle. They need fresh water and fresh food. Their hair needs brushing as do their teeth. Having a pet is a life long commitment. If you do not have the proper time and love required to devote to a pet - do not get one.
Dogs & Puppies
When you first get your puppy you will want a veterinarian to check him or her out to make sure they are in tip top shape. This way you can identify any potential problems early on and eliminate them. This is the first step toward a lifetime of preventive care for your puppy. Puppies need to have regular vaccinations to help boost their immunity to common diseases. Your veterinarian will let you know what vaccinations are best suited for your puppy based on his breed and other personal factors. Most puppies receive vaccines up to 16 weeks old. Your veterinarian will also check your pet for heartworm, parasites and fleas at regular check ups.
Cats & Kittens
Kittens need just as much TLC as puppy's. Your veterinarian can check your new kitty to make sure he or she is healthy. Like a puppy, a kitty needs certain vaccinations to protect them from diseases. Most kittens receive vaccinations until they are 16 weeks old. Your veterinarian will check for various worm infestations and general health. While heartworm this is more common in dogs, it can affect cats too so be mindful to let your vet know if your cat goes outdoors or stays indoors.
Other Preventive Measures
Below are some of the more common medical procedures performed by veterinarians:
Spaying and Neutering: Unless you plan to breed your dog, you should have your puppy spayed or neutered. This actually may help protect your dog from diseases including cancer in the reproductive organs, breast cancer and infections. Neutering your pup can also help mitigate behavioral issues once your puppy gets a little older. Most cats aren't bred, and if not spayed or neutered can breed very rapidly. Thousands are killed every year because they have no owner to take care of them. You should spay or neuter your kitten to prevent over population as well as for the health of your animal. Spaying and neutering is beneficial for kittens, helping to reduce some reproductive problems and tumors. It also helps prevent a male cat from spraying or "marking" your home with urine - as many unneutered males do.
Declawing: Some pet owners prefer to have their indoor kittens claws removed. If you allow your cat to retain his or her claws, be sure you provide them with an adequate scratching post. If your cat goes outdoors at all, you should never have them declawed. Claws are their only means of protection in the outdoor world.
Dental Care: Pets need regular dental care to help prevent gum disease. Gum disease is a serious problem in animals. Studies suggest that up to 70-80% of dogs and cats have some form of gum disease. You can prevent gum disease by removing plaque and build up regularly from your pet's teeth. Your veterinarian can help you come up with a good oral hygiene plan for your pet. A vet can also clean your pet's teeth for you once a year. While it may seem silly, gum disease is a serious problem for many pets. The side effects include terrible breath, crusting on the gums and even pain or bleeding when your pet tries to eat.
Providing preventive health care for your pet will ensure that together you will share a long, happy life together.
About The Author:
Antigone Arthur is a successful freelance writer with 10 years of professional experience providing consumers with informative articles on such topics as Pet Meds, Advantage Flea Control, and Heartguard.
Published with permission (FCDMInc)
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