LIVE WELL
Why Should You Bring Your Pet In for an Exam? Be our guest… A question that is asked quite a bit does this allow for the veterinarian to prescribe medications or keep accurate records of your is “Why does the doctor need to see “Winston?” pet’s health, it allows the whole team to know you and your pet - and the better we know you, There are several reasons why we not only recyour pet and your lifestyle, the better we can taiommend yearly or bi-yearly exams but are relor treatments and provide suggestions to keep quired to perform these on a regular basis. your pet happy and healthy. Why are Exams required? Veterinarians are just like our doctors; the only difference is that they see our animal friends instead of humans. With this classification, veterinarians are bound by Florida state law to see their patients at a minimum of every 12 months in order to prescribe medications and administer vaccines. Why are Exams recommended? Exams: Yearly exams are recommended not only to fulfill legal requirements, but also for our pets’ best interest. We recommend yearly exams for our young, healthy pets who have no noted issues and are not on medications for any medical issue. If our pets are seniors or on long term medications, we often recommend exam and/or diagnostic tests more often; usually every 6 months *An example of the value of monitoring health depending on the overall health and wellness of and routine testing would be my own dog, Ghost. the pet. Ghost is a 4-year-old Standard Poodle who was completely healthy in November 2021. I had gotBloodwork: We recommend routine blood work ten routine yearly bloodwork done and all valevery 6 - 12 months. Bloodwork is important in ues were normal. Fast forward to February 2022. order to keep tabs on the health of the kidneys, liver and overall blood function. It is important to Ghost was not himself; lethargic, cold - did not want to even lift his head. I brought him in to remember that our pets age differently than we Dr. Morosi for an exam and bloodwork. Initially, do; every 12 months in their life is equivalent to every few years in ours. It may seem unnecessary he was just dehydrated. The bloodwork did not to test young pets, but my own personal pet was show anything to cause concern. Two days later, after being on fluids and feeling a little better, we struck, suddenly, on his 4th birthday.* repeated his bloodwork. It was then very clear Medications: As stated earlier, veterinarians can- that he had Addison’s Disease. After starting medication, Ghost was examined and his blood not legally prescribe any medication if a pet has not been seen within the year. On occasion, more tested every few weeks. It is now in Ghost’s best frequent exams are required. The medication that interest to be seen every 3 - 6 months to be sure he is maintaining well on his medications and was used 4-5 months ago may not be the correct medication to use now. For example, a small skin that his illness is not altering his quality of life. issue may have been corrected with an ointment; Fortunately, Addison’s Disease has a good proga few months ater, that condition now has an in- nosis as long as it is wellmanaged. fection and antibiotics are needed. There are also Ghost at 1 year old. Courtesy of Lance Beck at Blue Poodle Studios many medications that require checking body function (kidneys and liver) prior to continuing Written by: Sabrina Beck CVT, CVBL treatment or providing refills. One example is the commonly used Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories. Like our Aleve or Advil, these medications have an effect on the kidneys and liver and monitoring blood work is the only way we can appreciate any changes. We monitor this closely because we do not want to cause a new problem when treating another. Relationship: Maintaining a good relationship with your veterinarian is also important. Not only
