What you need to know about preventive care
Before diving into what you need to know about preventive care, let’s go back to an old saying from the great polymath Benjamin Franklin: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Nothing could be more valid than this statement when it comes to being vigilant and proactive with our beloved furry friends.
Just picture those loving eyes, those indescribable cute paws clinging to you as you take a simple look at them and give them affection. Isn’t it worth doing your best to keep your bundle of joy healthy and safe?
We are all responsible for taking care of our pets, and by all we mean everyone: us as veterinarians, you as owners, even your close ones as back-up support. We’re an extended team of caring people who aim to keep those amazing souls healthy.
Working together to achieve this is a serious commitment, which involves planning, acting fast, maintaining a close collaboration, continuous learning to see any danger signs, support and more. Speaking of planning and collaboration, at MyOwnVet we are dedicated to creating a personalized health plan for your pet, which always starts with a preventive care agenda.
The core elements of preventive care
As you surely know, successful pet care is defined by an entire set of important elements. From balanced, well-thought and diverse nutrition to vaccinations, regular check-ups and up to intensive pet care procedures, it’s all about being organized and aware.
We offer guidance for each step of preventive care and we’re keen on showing you where things can be improved. For instance, there’s no need to emphasize the importance of regular health checks, which are the prerequisite for preventive care. So, if you’re not yet used to bringing your pet for a six-month or at least a yearly checkup, we strongly advise you to make it a habit.
Quick question: are your pet’s vaccinations up-to-date?
It should all be marked in your pet’s medical file. And we’re not just asking about the random vaccinations given in the early stages, but those regular vaccinations which protect your animal from distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis and kennel cough.
Preventing instead of treating parasites is another important element in preventive care. Major health problems can be caused by untreated heartworm, intestinal worms, ticks or fleas. Some are easier to treat than others but, with knowledgeable experts and early detection, much can be done.
Regular blood tests are also a must in the agenda of preventive care as they represent an extremely useful instrument in diagnosis and treatment. Pets are not able to tell us when they feel a little off, so underlying issues can often go undetected until they are very serious. We recommend blood tests before anaesthsia, if your pet is on chronic medication (especially hormonal) or if there is any suspicion of a specific health problem.
Last but not least, something that is legally mandatory in Queensland for dogs, microchipping is yet another requirement in preventive care, increasing your chances of being reunited with your pet if he/she gets lost. At MyOwnVet, we make sure the microchipping technology we use is reliable and efficient.
The essential benefits of preventive care
Besides the fact that your pet will always thank you with loving eyes for everything you do to protect his or her health, there are a series of benefits which make preventive care essential.
- Prevent disease? Essential.
- Identify potential long-term problems in their early stages? Essential.
- Provide a quality of life you wish for your furry friend? Essential.
- Keep your four-legged companion safe? Essential.
- Keep you and your family safe from animal-transmitted diseases such as worms, fleas or ringworm? Essential.
Throughout every stage of their lives, our pets deserve the best day-to-day care, and this is what we are committed to: offering professional care with the help of caring experts who are always available to give advice, answer questions, make important decisions for the better of your pets. You can most certainly rely on us to prevent and care.
At My OwnVet, we are more than ready to have your best friend taken through a full preventive care check-up. Call our office at 07 3277 6594 and our caring staff will schedule your pet’s next exam!
Until next time, remember the greatest wealth is health! Make sure that your pet is in great condition!
Your friend and vet expert,
MyOwnVet
