National Pet Month

CELEBRATE NATIONAL PET MONTH

& Show Your Pet Some Love with an Annual Check-Up by Tori Hebert

Furry friends bring so much joy to life and are as much a part of your family as the human members. Your pet wants to give you all their love and you can show your love to them by scheduling routine visits to the veterinarian to keep them healthy.

“Annual exams are important because you may not realize something is going on with your pet’s health,” says Dr. Jae Chang, veterinarian with Prien Lake Animal Hospital. “In fact, most species instinctively hide their symptoms because they do not want to appear injured or weak. The exam can include blood work and other tests that provide a base line for their wellness. We use this information to evaluate any changes we need to make to your pet’s diet, medication or any other part of their care or lifestyle.”

Dr. Chang provides an overview of what you can expect at an annual veterinary exam for your pet:

PHYSICAL

Your children probably receive a physical exam when they sign up to play sports. Your veterinarian will provide a similar overall evaluation of your pet. An important health parameter is your pet’s weight. It can be hard to notice subtle changes in your pet, but your vet will be able to identify any abnormal changes in your pet’s health and begin treatment right away. Older pets may need more frequent exams.

EYES, EARS AND MOUTH

As your pet ages their vision changes. Your veterinarian will examine your pet’s eyes for inflammation, cataracts, infection or other visual defects. Your pet can also form an ear infection. During the exam their ears are assessed for infection, bad odor or other symptoms that can indicate disease in the ear canal. The mouth is checked for dental disease, fractured or infected teeth, ulcers or masses.

MUSCLES, JOINTS AND ORGANS

The annual exam is a head-to-toe evaluation, so your veterinarian will also evaluate your pet’s movement and internal health. Heart murmurs can be an early sign of disease and arrhythmias can be fatal with no warning. The abdominal exam includes palpations to identify any masses or enlarged organs. Your vet will also judge your pet’s muscle mass and any joint discomfort.

Dr. Chang says there are also routine preventive care recommendations to keep your pet healthy. “We typically discuss these, based on the specific pet and their health risks, at the annual exam.” These include:

VACCINATIONS

Just like humans, animals need a variety of immunizations to protect them from potentially fatal diseases. Puppies and kittens can start as early as six weeks of age, and revaccinations are needed for some diseases.

SPAY OR NEUTER

In addition to preventing unwanted litters, spaying or neutering also has health benefits. These procedures may help modify behaviors that can make animals restless or aggressive and can even help prevent some cancers and other diseases. Depending on the species, pets may be spayed (females) or neutered (males) as early as eight weeks of age.

HEARTWORM PREVENTION

Heartworm disease can be fatal, so prevention is essential. Dogs, cats and ferrets should be given a heartworm preventative all year.

FLEA AND TICK PREVENTION

Fleas and ticks are not just irritating to your pet; they also carry many dangerous diseases. Your vet can provide the treatment and products to protect your pet and advise you on how to safely treat infestations in your home and yard.

DENTAL EXAMS

Animals should get their teeth cleaned, just like people. Your veterinarian will be able to make individual recommendations based on their evaluation of your pet.

For more information about pet care and any pet health concern, call Prien Lake Animal Hospital at 474-1526 or visit www.prienlakeanimalhospital.com.