Springtime health check

While we enjoy the warmer weather (or at least a wonderful break from those cold winter temperatures!), now is the time to schedule a spring visit to your veterinarian for an annual checkup for your animal. 

Springtime can mean increased exposure to other animals (in your local dog park or the wildlife in your backyard) and it is important to make sure Fluffy and Fido are up to date on all their vaccinations. Additional routine care may include a dental examination, clipping nails, testing for heartworm and/or resuming a heartworm 

Your veterinarian may also want to assess your animal’s overall health, such as body condition, and it is a great opportunity to mention any behavior that your furry friend has exhibited that you have questions about (i.e., change in activity level, decreased alertness, persistent scratching of a body part) that may be unusual. 

Consider your animal’s risk 

If your furry family member will be exposed to other animals on a regular basis (such as in a dog park or boarding kennel) then you may want to consider additional preventative vaccinations or flea control.

There are a variety of diseases animals can be vaccinated against. Vaccines have been proven to be the simplest, safest and most effective way of protecting your furry friend from disease. 

Your veterinarian will be able to determine which vaccines are necessary for your animal. Your geographic location and your furry family member’s exposure to wildlife and other domestic animals can impact their risk and are factored into a veterinarian’s recommendations. 

Preventative care for a happy, healthy future 

It is important to note that preventative health care is the best kind of health care. Avoiding or delaying routine veterinary checks or vaccines could cause major health problems down the road, as well as extremely costly emergency vet care.

A useful tool is to have a record of your animal’s health care, which includes a list of vaccinations, as well as dates administered, any trips to the vets and any illnesses or medications prescribed by your veterinarian. It can be also helpful to keep track of your animal’s weight and current diet, as the information can be extremely helpful down the road if your animal becomes ill.

It is very important to have a health care routine for your animal to keep them happy and healthy for years to come. If your furry friend hasn’t been to their veterinarian recently, now is the time to make an appointment. Preventative health care is important, and your furry friend will thank you for it!