Veterinary Examination Schedules and What's Really
Needed!
It's
that time of year again when you get that little car in the mail reminding you
that your pet's yearly exam is due! Often times along with that reminder is
a laundry list of vaccines...fecal test, heartworm test and perhaps
blood work! That is a lot to fit on one little reminder card! So what's really
needed?
As I have
mentioned before, our pet's lives are shorter than ours. They age quicker than
we do and hence, disease processes tend to occur more quickly with them. It is
important to remember that. Why? Because we want out furry companions with us
for as long as we can have them in our lives.
I always recommend to have physical
examinations every 6 months because of how quickly our pet's lives can change.
There are many things that can affect our pet's lives, such as weight gain or
loss, changes in physical activity and exercise programs, various types of
foods and changes in eating habits and what is offered to
new additions in the home (two legged and four legged
variety), moving to a new home, change of seasons and effect on health and so
much more. Many of these things can effect our pet's lives without most of us
realizing it....having your veterinarian examine your pet twice a year and
discuss these changes as well as keep a close watch of any changes from the
prior exam is crucial in preventing or identifying changes in your pet's
health.
Identifying changes in your pet's health early
is an integral part of preventative medicine. It allows you to keep a better
account of any and all changes during your pet's lives and be able to discuss
those changes with your veterinarian. For instance, the sooner a heart murmur
is detected and montiored accordingly, the better you as a pet owner are at
being aware of any changes that may be seen in your pet's overall health that
may be related to that heart murmur. They say ignorance is bliss...but I
believe it is more dangerous than blissful. Keeping an open discussion
and communication with your veterinarian is important in that it
allows you both to keep patient and animal family member in their best of
health!
Now, what's needed? Many of our elderly pet
population has various changes in blood work that signifies changes in organ,
endocrine or metabolic function. Many of these pets are on various
medications. Illnesses or age related diseases are that..age
related...usually. I always say that not every dog and cat reads the
books...so everyone is different. Age is not a disease, but disease does occur
more often with age. Many changes can be detected in general blood
work...yearly for those pets over the age of eight. Of course monthly
heartworm and flea and tick prevention is also highly recommended, not only by
me, but also by the American Heartworm Society! (Prevention is
key!)
Vaccination schedules...tackling the laundry
list of vaccines! I can be technical here or all encompassing....but I would
prefer to be practical! The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
lists two categories of vaccines, core and non-core. The AVMA recommends
'core vaccines'...these are distemper and rabies. Also according to the AVMA
the non-core vaccines should be based on the pet's lifestyle....for instance
if the pet rarely frequents tick prevalent areas, then lyme vaccine is not
necessarily recommended, or if a dog frequents the dog park, visits with other
dogs on a walk or boards, then a bordatella or kennal cough and the Canine
Influenza vaccines is recommended. Each pet lives a different life, indoor,
outdoor, doggie day camp or is the class clown at the boarding facility...so
not every pet should obey any cookie-cutter vaccination program.
So
there it is...examination schedules and what is needed...or not needed. Most
importantly what is needed is communication with your veterinarian. If you
have any questions or concerns about your pet or have general questions,
please do not hesitate to call, email or facebook me! We
are not yet open at PawPrints on Beach 116th Street but are still doing house
call services. 718-474-PAWS
www.PawPrintsAMC.com
Have a Great
Week!
-Dr.
Karina Salvo and
Staff
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