We all know that preventing disease or catching it in its early stages is far better than treating it once it has had time to progress to a more advanced stage. Preventive health care will help you do just that, and save you and your pet from needless suffering and a larger financial burden. Here are some preventive measures pet parents can take to keep their furry friends healthy.
What is the Annual Physical Exam?
Just as annual physical exams are recommended for humans, they are recommended for animals as well. If your dog is older or has medical problems, he may need even more frequent examinations. Most veterinarians recommend a physical exam once a year for adult dogs and every 6 months for senior dogs. A year is a long time in a dog's life. Assuming our pets will live to their early teens, receiving a yearly exam means they will only have about thirteen exams in a lifetime. That is not very many when you think about it.
During your dog's annual physical exam, your veterinarian will inspect your dog from nose to tail. Be sure to mention any concerns you may have regarding changes in your pet's behavior or temperament, drinking habits, urination, defecation, and appetite. A change in one of his daily habits may be the first sign of an underlying disease or condition that requires attention or treatment.
Your pet's ears and eyes will be examined for redness, discharge, or itchiness.
Be sure to mention any concerns with your dog's breathing or if he is coughing, sneezing, has nasal discharge, or shortness of breath. Your veterinarian will listen to his heart and lungs during the exam for problems.
Your veterinarian will also examine your dog's coat and skin for hair loss, pigment changes, lumps, itchy spots, excessive shedding, mats, and anal sac problems. Be sure to mention if your pooch is chewing or licking on his skin or scooting.
Your pet's urogenital system will also be examined for any discharge or problems with urination. You may also wish to discuss spaying or neutering if it has not already been performed in your pet.
Exercise is an important factor to discuss with your veterinarian. Be sure to discuss how much exercise your dog receives, including how often, what type of exercise, and any changes in your dog's ability to exercise. Mention any problems with limping, weakness, nail problems, or other concerns with his paws and legs.
What Vaccinations Should a Dog Receive?
You may have heard about the current controversies regarding vaccinating dogs and cats. Current research suggests we do not need to vaccinate annually for most diseases. But how often we should vaccinate for each specific disease in adult animals has not yet been determined. We do not know how long the protection from a vaccine lasts and it may differ from animal to animal. It may be 5 years for one disease and 3 years for another, and less than 2 years for another. This makes it difficult to make recommendations that apply to all animals.
Almost all researchers agree that puppies need to receive at least three combination vaccinations and those need to be repeated at one year of age. They also agree that rabies vaccinations must continue to be given according to local ordinances.
The core vaccines are the vaccines that are recommended for every dog unless an individual dog has a medical reason, such as a history of a vaccine reaction or autoimmune disease, to not receive a specific vaccine. Experts generally agree that the core vaccines for dogs include distemper, canine adenovirus-2, canine parvovirus-2, and rabies.
The noncore vaccines are the vaccines that are recommended only for those pets at higher risk of being exposed to the specific disease. Noncore vaccines include leptospirosis, coronavirus, canine parainfluenza virus and Bordetella bronchiseptica (both are causes of 'kennel cough'), Borrelia burgdorferi (causes Lyme Disease), and a few others. Your veterinarian can help you determine if your pet is considered high risk and whether a noncore vaccine is right for your pet.
Heartworm Testing and Preventives
In a pet with heartworm disease, a dog's heart and pulmonary vessels are infected with parasites called heartworms. There are heartworm preventives that can be given to a pet to prevent this terrible disease. There is also a blood test that can detect heartworm infection in dogs. The American Heartworm Society advises all adult dogs being started on a heartworm preventive for the first time should be tested. In addition, all dogs should be tested annually for heartworm infection. In the past, if a dog had been on preventive medication as directed, it was not considered necessary to test every year. Because of reports of animals on preventives that still contracted heartworms, the AHS recommends annual testing. By testing dogs annually, these cases can be identified and treated early. Heartworm disease has been documented in all 50 states, so testing and year round prevention is crucial.
Control of Intestinal Parasites
Your veterinarian will determine what protocol is best for your dog in the prevention and control of intestinal parasites. Decisions on testing and deworming should be based on factors such as the age of your dog, if your dog eats feces from other animals, whether your dog is on a heartworm preventive that also controls intestinal parasites, if your dog has been previously infected, if you plan to breed your female dog, and if there are children who play with the dog.
Regular deworming is recommended by the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists (AAVP), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC). For puppies, initiate a deworming protocol and then start a monthly heartworm preventive that also controls intestinal parasites. Using a year-round heartworm preventive/intestinal parasite combination product decreases the risk of parasites.
If your pet is on a year-round heartworm preventive/intestinal parasite combination product, have a fecal test performed 1-2 times per year and treat appropriately. If not on a year-round heartworm preventive/intestinal parasite combination product, have a fecal test performed 2-4 times per year and treat appropriately. Also monitor and eliminate parasites in your pet's environment.
Roundworms and hookworms of dogs can cause serious disease in people, especially children who may not have good hygiene habits. Treating your dog for worms is important for your pet's health as well as your own.
Don't forget to add in protection against fleas and ticks. These external parasites can be carriers of disease and can also cause other conditions such as anemia from excessive blood loss. Consult with your veterinarian regarding the best product for your pet's needs.
Nutrition Includes Food, Treats and Supplements
Be sure to discuss your dog's nutrition with your veterinarian. Not only is your dog's food important for overall health, but any changes in his appetite or thirst are important to note. The type of food or the amount of food given can contribute to your pet's weight--both weight loss or weight gain. Treats can be a sneaky source of extra calories and should not exceed 10% of a pet's daily diet. Be sure to discuss with your veterinarian if your pet is at a healthy weight and how his food and treats can be used to control his weight.
Some dogs may benefit from receiving supplements, such as a veterinary multivitamin or an Omega-3 fatty acid supplement. Always discuss a product with your veterinarian prior to starting it with your pet.
Older Pets Benefit from Senior Screening
Many veterinarians recommend screening tests for older pets. Diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, and some hormonal diseases occur much more frequently in older animals. To test for these conditions and identify them before severe or irreversible damage is done, blood tests and sometimes radiographs are helpful. An abnormal result means the disease can be diagnosed and treated early. Normal results are helpful in giving a baseline with which future results can be compared.
Many older animals are also on medications and may require tests to evaluate the medication level or potentially harmful effects on various organs. These blood tests may be done on a regular basis to monitor your pet's condition and may also be used to adjust the amount of medication your pet needs.
Pets Have Teeth, Too
Oral health is also extremely important in pets, and older dogs may require more frequent dental check-ups. Regular dental cleanings can help prevent periodontal disease and tooth loss in pets. Home dental care can also help prevent plaque and tartar build up on teeth and also help prevent bad breath. Discuss with your veterinarian what home dental care you can do to help support good dental health, such as brushing your pet's teeth, using water additives to reduce plaque, or dental chews to help remove plaque and tartar.
Be sure to monitor your dog's mouth for signs of pain, bleeding gums, discharge, a foul odor, or broken teeth. Discuss any concerns with your veterinarian so the problem can be promptly addressed.