Just like how you go to the doctor to get checkups every now and then, your pets need the same treatment. People often overlook that pets are beings too, and need regular healthcare just like everyone else. Keeping your pet healthy and at their top shape guarantees a long and happy life for your pets. Staying on top of vaccinations and inspections is one of the greatest impacts you can make for your pet. So why not stop by at All Pets Veterinary Medical Center for a through checkup for your pet soon? We will discuss the importance of regular wellness exams for dogs and cats.
Regular Wellness Exams for Dogs and Cats
Intervals of Examination
Regular wellness exams for dogs and cats every six months or at least once a year are important to help detect any changes that come with aging, such as arthritis and dental disease. During those visits your vet can go over important life stage changes. These changes might include appropriate dietary recommendations and how to maintain an appropriate active lifestyle for your pet.
Physical exams include the following:
- listening to the heart
- feeling the abdominal organs
- checking hips and knees
- checking their dental health: teeth and gums
Blood work often plays a vital role in evaluating organ function and aids in detecting infection, anemia, diabetes, kidney failure, thyroid disease and other medical conditions. When caught in early stages many diseases can be well maintained or even treated and cured.
Aging and Prevention
Old age is something that is inevitable. Therefore, keeping up with your pet’s regular check ups during these stages is critical to their health. Cats and dogs age at a much more rapid rate than humans do.
Cats
In particular, cats usually live through extended senior stages that start around 8 years. These stages go into their geriatric stages at around 13 or 15 years old.
It is usually harder to detect issues in cats because they can hide when they do not feel well, so often that they do not come into the exam room until they are too sick for help.
Dogs
Dogs however, depending on the breed or mix can have specific genetic predispositions, and they age at very different rates. A good example is Chihuahuas become a senior around 8-9 years old whereas a Great Dane becomes a senior at around 4-5 years old. Your vet can help tailor your specific dog’s wellness screening based on what type of dog you have and your dog’s age.
For example, owners of Bulldogs, Mastiffs, Dobermans, and cocker spaniels should consider doing regular EKG’s and chest X-rays in their senior years to help detect early changes in their hearts. These breeds can be predisposed to cardiac conditions such as Mitral Valve Disease or Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Owners of senior golden retrievers may want to consider abdominal X-Rays to detect that breeds predisposition for developing splenic tumors. Ask your vet next time you visit if he or she has any specific suggestions of wellness screening for your dogs breed.
Just like your own health, it is always crucial to be proactive and take care in being watchful on your dog or cats health. Routine checkups at All Pets Veterinary Medical Center can help you keep your pet healthy longer. What matters most is giving your pets a quality, healthy life that is active and comfortable.
