Whether your dog, cat, horse, parakeet, gerbil, or bearded dragon, giving life-long routine pet care is vital to your animal’s health and wellbeing. Regular veterinary visits allow our veterinarians to identify potential issues early.
Itchy skin and allergies are the second-leading reason pets visit the vet, so it’s important to keep up with regular bathing, brushing, and deshedding.
Vaccinations
Vaccines help your pet fight diseases that can cause serious illness and death. They do so by introducing a weakened or dead version of the germ into your pet’s body, stimulating the immune system to create antibodies that can destroy it.
Core vaccines include rabies, distemper, adenovirus, and parvovirus. These illnesses, which can also affect humans, are extremely dangerous to dogs and deadly for young puppies.
Keeping your pet up-to-date on these vaccinations can save you from paying for costly treatments later. Your veterinarian at a pet clinic Spanish Fort AL can recommend an appropriate vaccination schedule, including antibody titers, to see whether or not your pet still has adequate immunity. This can also be helpful for adopted pets.
Dental Care
Dental hygiene is a huge factor in your pet’s health. It can help prevent infections in the mouth, as well as help maintain good nutrient absorption and digestion.
Poor oral hygiene can lead to various health problems for your dog, from gingivitis to periodontitis. Bacteria that build up on the teeth can enter the bloodstream, affecting other organs like the kidneys and heart.
Practicing good dental care can be as easy as brushing your pet’s teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste designed specifically for animals (never use human toothpaste, it contains harmful ingredients to pets). You can also give your pet dental chew toys or food with a textured surface that scrapes plaque off as they chew. It’s also an opportunity to bond with your furry friend!
Nutritional Counseling
Regarding your pet’s health, what you feed them is one of the most important factors. Your furry friend requires a well-balanced diet to give them the vitamins and minerals to stay healthy.
Like humans, pets have unique nutritional needs that can change at different times. For instance, young animals need high-calorie food rich in nutrients for growth and development. Adult pets require a low-calorie diet that promotes weight maintenance and provides essential nutrients for body function. Pregnant and nursing dogs need a diet that provides additional energy to care for themselves and their babies.
Nutritional counseling can help you understand your pet’s dietary requirements and make appropriate choices for their health.
Grooming
Keeping your pet clean is essential to their health. This includes regular bathing, grooming, and nail trimming.
Fur is a magnet for pollen, dust, and other particulates that can cause painful allergic reactions in pets. Grooming removes these and distributes natural skin oils throughout your pet’s fur to help prevent itchiness.
Grooming is an opportunity to examine your pet’s ears, eyes, and teeth for abnormalities. Often, these are the first signs of an illness, so early detection is vital. Matted fur can also be a serious issue, pulling on your pet’s skin and causing irritation. Additionally, unclean ears can become home to fleas, ticks, and other parasites. The same goes for unkempt paws, which can lead to arthritis or infections. Your vet will check all of these during their scheduled appointments.
Emergency Care
We put a lot of thought into our own family’s health but often overlook that our pets also need health care. Investing in regular check-ups and preventive treatments can save your pet from a life of pain and suffering by identifying potential health issues before they become serious emergencies.
Taking the time to learn first aid can also help you respond quickly in an emergency, such as severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, or choking. It’s also important to locate a vet clinic and create an evacuation plan for your furry friend during a natural disaster or other catastrophe.
Keeping your furry family healthy requires a team of caring professionals, including veterinarians, nurses, and support staff. Whether your pet needs routine vaccinations, dental care, or emergency care, a good vet can make all the difference.
