Most people think that the vet is somewhere they take their pet when it is ill. Of course this is true but vets also play an important part in preventing illness and recognising the symptoms of illness at early stages when it is generally easier to start treatment.
As a vet, I recommend vaccination to prevent against infectious diseases where this is possible. There are currently vaccines available for cats, dogs and rabbits.
Taking your pet to the vet for his or her regular vaccination is, in my opinion, very important. Not only does your pet receive the protection from infectious disease from the vaccine, he or she should also receive a full health check. This health check, in my opinion, involves a weight check, examination of the eyes, ears, mouth, listening to the heart and lungs, palpating the neck, groin and abdomen, checking the anus and genitals and checking the general mobility and demeanour of the animal.
Taking your pet regularly to the vets when he or she is healthy and well also allows your pet to find the experience enjoyable rather then painful and frightening and aids a happy long term relationship with your vet practice. It is also a perfect time to discuss any preventative care, for example reducing the symptoms of arthritis as your pet ages.
As Cesar Millan, ‘the dog whisperer’ commented, having a positive state of mind and happy energy when taking your dog to the vet will rub off on your dog so that their experience is happy. Obviously it is easier to be in this state of mind when your pet is healthy and you are going to the vet for routine, preventative care.
Whenever pets come to the clinic I prefer to weigh them. Changes in weight can be a warning sign. Sometimes pets start to get overweight so slowly that their owner doesn’t actually notice. However the scales don’t lie and often the move towards obesity can be stopped in its tracks. Likewise weight loss, especially if consistent or rapid can also cause alarm bells to ring. Weight loss can be an early warning sign of many conditions, for example, kidney and thyroid disease in older cats, heart disease in older cats and dogs and dental disease in rabbits.
Many owners find it difficult to look into their pet’s mouth which can provide a wealth of information on general health. The colour of the gums, the smell of the pet’s breath and the state of the teeth can all be evaluated. Dental disease is common in all species and can be the cause of chronic pain. I have also found tumours in pets’ mouths at routine vaccination which could be removed quickly, before they had a chance to cause major problems.
Obviously pet owners are unable to listen to their pet’s heart and lungs properly. Diagnosing heart conditions before the pet becomes debilitated is very useful for implementing a long term treatment plan.
I have also palpated masses inside pets’ abdomens at routine vaccination which allowed investigation and treatment to be initiated before the animal had become very unwell.
The anus and penis or vulva of their pet, are regions many pet owners do not check themselves. Again the vaccination is a great time to make sure these areas are all normal.
There are no vaccinations for guinea pigs or ferrets but these animals can live for up to six and eight years respectively. Chinchillas can live for ten- fifteen years. It is therefore useful for these species to have a yearly check up too, checking for any changes that may indicate early signs of illness.
I love seeing happy healthy pets at vaccination or health checks, having a quick cuddle with the pet and chat with their owner. I’m sure other vets feel the same way!
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