Just like you, your pets need annual checkups to keep them in top health. By visiting your veterinarian regularly for an exam, vaccinations and deworming we can help prevent some serious diseases.
Visits to the veterinarian can be overwhelming for the owners as much as the pet and people often forget things they hoped to talk about. To get the most out of your visit, here are some things to think about so you are not caught off-guard:
1.Any changes in how much my pet eats or drinks? How often they go to the bathroom?
Many diseases that sneak up on us such as hormone problems (eg. Hypothyroid, Cushings, Diabetes, etc) can show up early as changes in how much our pets eat and drink or urinate and defecate.
2.Does my pet seem to eat or drink more than others? How about the amount they go to the bathroom?
This is a tricky question. Because every pet is different, it can be hard to determine what amount is normal for your pet and what is a sign that your pet has an underlying disease.
If an issue develops before they come into your life, and there are no changes since you have owned them, you will likely not recognize it as an abnormal amount.
3.Does my pet have any coughing or sneezing?
This can be normal if it occurs randomly and infrequently. However, some pets can develop sensitivities to different scents or irritants in the air (eg. dust, smoke). It can also be an indication of other diseases such as pneumonia or heart disease.
4.Has my pet started sleeping in a different area? Do they avoid climbing stairs or jumping up on things?
Early signs of arthritis often show up as a reluctance to climb up onto the couch or climb stairs, even before a lameness shows. Arthritis is best treated early to maintain joint health.
5.Any licking at my pet's back-end? How about sliding their back-end on the ground?
This can be an indication that your pet has tapeworms (cats) or anal gland impaction (dogs) which can be treated easily early but can lead to more severe issues if not treated promptly.
6.Has my pet been scratching at their ears? How about licking their feet or belly?
This is a symptom of numerous things such as parasites, infections or sensitivities/allergies. These signs are commonly missed in the early stages, and skin disease is not diagnosed until the pet begins to lose hair, develops skin discolouration or excessive dandruff.
7.Any changes in how much they chew their food? Are they favouring one side of their mouth? Do they chew on their toys less?
Our animals can hide pain very well. Sometimes the only indication of sore teeth and dental disease is that they begin eating less or chewing on toys less. Another sign is that they only chew with one side of their mouth to avoid a sore tooth. Dental disease is best managed early to prevent having teeth pulled.
8.Any vomiting or diarrhea?
Most pet owners notice this stuff right away, even if they do not know which pet in the household is responsible. This is important for the veterinarian to know. Infrequent episodes may be inconsequential but it is good to keep monitoring the frequency that they occur as it can indicate an underlying diseases. Severe diarrhea in young dogs can be caused by a serious disease called parvo, which is also very contagious. Be sure to notify your veterinarian if severe diarrhea is present, before the pet enters the vet clinic to avoid contact with healthy dogs.
9.Will I be kennelling or boarding my pet? What about attending any gatherings of large numbers of other animals?
The core vaccines protect from many, but not all diseases. In cases where there are large groups of animals such as kennels or multi-pet households, other vaccines maybe required such as Bordetella for dogs or Feline Leukemia virus/Feline Immunodeficiency Virus in cats.
By thinking about these questions before your visit, you can help your veterinarian keep your pet as healthy as they can be. If you notice something or have a concern, don't feel bad about writing it down and bringing a list to the veterinary clinic. We veterinarians want what is best for your pet and answers to questions like these allows us to be proactive when it comes to our patient's health.
