Monday, August 13, 2012

Vet Tips for New Pet Owners

Welcoming a pet into your family can be a very exciting and rewarding experience, and choosing the best vet for both your families' needs as well as the needs of your new pack member is the most important detail to consider once the adoption process is complete. Choosing a veterinarian can be very similar to choosing a partner, as in both cases you are looking for someone with the same goals, ideals and philosophies as your own. It is important to discuss with your vet upon your first meeting exactly what your expectations of them, as a health and wellness provider to your animal, are. Determining the types of procedures and treatments you wish to have performed on your pet, as well as the type of care you want your veterinarian to provide your pet, will help to establish a trusting and open relationship between you and your animals health care provider.

Regular visits to veterinarians are necessary in maintaining good health in your animal and will support the longevity and livelihood of your pet. Scheduling your pet regular appointments, will allow your vet to inspect the overall health of your animal and dispense the necessary shots to prevent harmful infections and diseases. Many vets offer puppy and kitten wellness programs which provide your new furry friend with a series of important vaccinations against diseases such as rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and canine cough for puppies and rabies, panleukopenia, leukemia and upper respiratory infections for kittens. Both programs also test puppies and kittens for internal parasites and subscribe the appropriate medication if tests return positive. These programs also offer a plethora of veterinary tips for new pet owners such as diet options, recommended vaccination programs, preventative care against heartworm disease and fleas and the best time to spay or neuter your pet. These regularly scheduled appointments will also allow your vet to detect disease and illness early on and help your pet live a longer, healthier life.

In addition to regular check-ups for your pet, it is also important to take preventative measures when it comes to spaying or neutering: procedures in which an animal's reproductive organs are surgically removed. Not only does spaying and neutering contribute to the prevention of dog and cat over-population, it also prevents significant health concerns for your animal, such as infections of the uterus, cystic ovaries, endometrioses, prostate disease and cancer. Both procedures are performed with the animal under general anesthetic and can either be done taking a traditional "open" approach or by using a laparoscopic laser.

When adopting a new animal into your family, it is important to consider all of the aspects associated with being a responsible pet owner. Choosing the best veterinarian for your needs as well as the needs of your animal is not easy, however deciding on a vet with the same goals, ideals and philosophies as your own will help you to establish a plan of care for your animal, as well as build a trusting and lasting relationship between you and your vet.

Martindale Animal Clinic is committed to providing high quality, professional and compassionate care to its patients. With a team of experienced veterinarians, Martindale specializes in services for dogs, cats and other pets including wellness programs, vaccinations, surgeries, spaying, neutering, laboratory work, flea control and dentistry.

No comments:

Post a Comment