There were nearly 28 million pets in Canada in 2020. If you have a furry friend, you want to make sure you're taking proper care of them.
Just like humans, pets require routine health check-ups to stay healthy.
Why is taking your pet to the veterinarian so important? Let's go through why a vet check-up is essential for pets.
Watch For Problems
During a regular vet check-up, a veterinarian will examine your pet's eyes, ears, nose, mouth, teeth, skin, and coat. Then they'll perform an examination to check for any lumps, bumps, or abnormalities.
Dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease are common in pets. These can cause serious problems if left untreated. Regular checkups allow the vet to check for common parasites like fleas, ticks, and worms, which can cause a range of pet health problems.
Skin conditions such as allergies, infections, and tumours can be detected early. Vets can treat these issues or make lifestyle recommendations to keep your pet healthier and happier.
Keeping Aging Pets Healthy
As pets age, they may develop a range of health problems. Problems include arthritis, vision and hearing loss, and cognitive decline. Regular checkups can help detect these issues early. Then, they can provide appropriate vet care and treatment.
Vaccines
Regular checkups for pets are also important to keep their vaccinations up-to-date. They help protect your pet from potentially serious and even deadly diseases.
During a routine checkup, your veterinarian will review your pet's vaccination history. Then, they can recommend any vaccines that are due or overdue.
Some common vaccines for dogs include rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and Bordetella. Common vaccines for cats include rabies, feline distemper, and feline leukemia.
Pet vaccinations work by stimulating your pet's immune system to produce antibodies that can fight off specific diseases. Some vaccines require multiple doses to provide complete protection, which is why it's important to follow your veterinarian's recommended vaccination schedule.
It's important to note that while vaccines are highly effective, they are not 100% foolproof. Your pet may still be at risk of contracting certain diseases.
That's especially if they are exposed to other animals that are infected. However, vaccines can reduce the risk of your pet contracting and spreading these diseases.
Mental Health
Pet mental health is also an important aspect of their overall well-being, and it can be addressed during regular vet checkups.
Mental health issues in pets can be caused by a variety of factors. Examples include anxiety, stress, fear, and even underlying medical conditions.
Your vet can assess your pet's behaviour and demeanour. This will help identify potential mental health concerns.
They may ask about your pet's daily routine, diet, exercise habits, and socialization. They may also ask about recent changes or stressful events in their life.
If your veterinarian identifies any mental health concerns, they may recommend treatment. This could include behaviour modification, training, medication, or referral to a veterinary behaviourist.
In some cases, simply making changes to your pet's daily routine or environment can help alleviate mental health issues.
Regular checkups also provide an opportunity for pet owners to discuss any behavioural concerns or changes they've noticed in their pets.
This can include issues such as excessive barking, destructive behaviour, separation anxiety, or aggression towards other animals or humans. Your veterinarian can provide guidance and support to help address these issues and improve your pet's mental health.
Vet Check-Up: Now You Know
There are a lot of reasons why a regular vet check-up is important for keeping your furry friend healthy and safe. If you haven't been taking your pet to the vet on a regular, it might be time to book an appointment.
Do you need healthcare for your pet in Scarborough? Contact Amherst Veterinary Hospital today.