Celebrating Pet Wellness Month: July 2013

July is National pet wellness month

Every year for a dog or cat is equivalent to five to seven human years so it is important that your pet receives a wellness exam every year.  Similar to people, pets need to visit the veterinarian more often as they get older in order to prevent and treat illnesses that come with age. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends that a healthy pet should visit the veterinarian once a year for a complete physical examination and any relevant laboratory testing. During the wellness visit, we will review a complete history of your pet’s health.  This is the perfect time to discuss any concerns about any unusual behavior that you have noticed in your pet such as coughing, diarrhea, change in appetite, excessive drinking, panting, scratching or urination, vomiting, and weight gain or weight loss. The veterinarian will also perform a complete physical examination, reviewing many of your pet’s body systems.  Your veterinarian will feel your pet’s abdomen for abnormalities, including enlarged organs, masses or painful areas, to detect problems with the stomach, intestines, kidneys, liver and other organs. Through this examination many disease can be detected earlier in their course, resulting in a better quality of life for you and your pet.  Depending on your pet’s lifestyle and age, we may also ask about your pet’s exposure to fleas, ticks, heartworms and intestinal parasites. Our veterinarian and staff will develop an individualized treatment and/or preventative plan to address these issues. Vaccinations are one of the most important preventive measures you can take for the health of your pet. Dogs can be immunized against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, parvovirus, bordetella, rabies, and lyme disease. Cats can be immunized against feline panleukopenia (distemper), rabies, feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and feline leukemia. Do not underestimate the importance of taking your pet to the veterinarian for regular wellness examinations. These regular examinations will help your pet live a longer and healthier life, so do your part to care for your furry friend!

For More details, visit www.healthypet.com