October is National Pet Wellness Month. It’s so important to provide good preventative care for your pets. According to The National Pet Wellness Initiative, “Taking your dog or cat to their veterinarian once a year is the same as seeing your own doctor just once every seven years.” I wouldn’t want to wait seven years to see a doctor for a check-up. Wellness exams and wellness testing can help diagnose, treat and even prevent problems before they become life threatening. It’s also a great opportunity to ask your veterinarian about nutrition, behavior and any other concerns you may have. The Pet Iniative says, “Pets age more quickly than humans, so major health changes can occur in a short time. These changes may not show signs that an owner would easily see. Today’s pets live longer than ever, so chances are higher that many will experience a potentially serious problem.”
So, why take your pet in for a checkup at least once a year? It’s all about prevention. Why do you take your car in every 3,000 miles for an oil change, get a physical every year or visit the dentist for a teeth cleaning every six months? You do for your overall health, catch issues before they become problems and prevent future trouble. Your pet shouldn’t be any different. The American Animal Hospital Association suggests that the frequency of visits should be determined on an individual basis, taking into account the pet’s age, species, breed and environment.
Dr. Jeff Chalkley of Westbury Animal Hospital shares Jonathan’s story as an example of just how important regular wellness checks can be.
“Jonathan, an 8-year-old neutered Collie mix, came in to the office for a routine senior checkup and blood work. During the exam, the owner happened to mention that Jonathan had not been eating his breakfast very well for the past couple of days but would eat dinner very well. When I examined him, Jonathan expressed pain in his abdomen and had mild tartar on his teeth; otherwise, everything was normal. The blood work showed a few things that made me want to test further.”
“Further tests showed that Jonathan had Biliary Mucoecele, which is very much like a gallbladder stone in humans,” the doctor explained. “This can cause the gallbladder to fill up with bile, causing severe pain and possible liver damage. This type of problem requires surgery within a few days; otherwise, there can be irreversible liver damage. Jonathan went home that day with medications and came back the following day to have surgery.
“Jonathan was able to return home after three days in critical care. The time from the initial appointment to the surgery time was 48 hours. Jonathan had no other symptoms of disease other than lack of appetite. If his owner had not come in for Jonathan’s senior exam, too much time would have passed and the surgery would have been impossible. If the gallbladder had ruptured or the liver had undergone further damage for much longer, Jonathan may not have recovered so well after surgery.”
Some things to keep track of and share with a veterinarian include: eating more or less than usual, excessive drinking of water, panting, scratching or urination and weight gain or weight loss. A veterinarian will probably want to know about a pet’s daily behavior, including diet, exposure to fleas or ticks and exercise routine.
Dogs and cats can’t speak for themselves, so we owe it to them to be their advocates. By becoming educated about pet health and talking with a veterinarian, pet owners can take proactive measures to avoid illness and injury. After all, we want our furry companions to be with us for a long time. When is the last time you took the four-legged friend in for a checkup? Celebrate National Pet Wellness Month and schedule an exam today.
Lori Fusaro has been voted the best portrait photographer by FoxTV three years in a row. She lives in Culver City with her husband, four cats and dog. Contact: Lori@FusaroPhotography.com, FusaroPhotography.com.
