How To Keep Your Pet Healthy
There are many ways to help companion animals achieve vitality and longevity, and at Crossroads Animal Hospital, we work closely with individual pet owners toward these goals. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to veterinary medicine. We customize preventive measures and tailor a pet’s treatments for the best possible outcomes. That said, there are several health conditions that have the potential to affect all pets if certain preventive measures aren’t in place, which is why we recommend yearly wellness exams for your pets.
What Is A Healthy Pet?
A healthy pet is the establishment and maintenance of certain practices that support overall health. These days, pet wellness plays a central part in the prevention of serious health problems. Additionally, early detection and intervention of developing problems can reduce the severity and influence a better prognosis.
Routine pet wellness exams can include vaccinations, blood work, and screening tests. These aspects of a routine exam can be viewed as investments in a pet’s long, healthy life. Through the prevention of disease, we can truly support a pet’s overall well-being and influence longevity.
Staying Fit and Trim
One of the first things we do whenever a pet comes to see us is place them on the scale. We track any changes to their weight and appearance. If a pet gains any weight between visits we will discuss their food products, portions, and daily exercise minimums. Of course, weight loss is also a cause of concern, and we’ll try to get to the bottom of that as well, if applicable.
Pet obesity is a serious problem and has the potential to affect quality of life. Linked to inflammation, obesity can lead to or worsen conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, or kidney disease. Staying fit and trim is a straightforward method to impact a pet’s lifelong health.
Parasite Prevention
Another way to promote health in pets is through the prevention of contagious diseases. In addition to core and non-core vaccines designed to protect a pet from lifestyle-specific health threats, we work with pet owners to maintain year-round parasite prevention strategies. Preventing fleas, ticks, and heartworm-carrying mosquitoes from spreading illness to pets is an absolute-must and ensures that other parasites don’t ever stand a chance, as well.
Dental Care
Keeping a pet’s teeth clean has obvious advantages. Aside from fresher breath and whiter teeth, upholding dental care practices throughout the year can reduce the chances of tooth decay or loss, pain, and systemic infections of the heart, liver, and kidneys. We recommend regular brushing at home, supplemented by water additives, dental chews or treats, and a proper diet. Annual dental cleanings under anesthesia can remove plaque and tartar, and digital X-rays can help us understand the extent of possible periodontal disease.
Routine Wellness Care
The opportunity to get to know our patients is more than just fun. We develop a healthy baseline so that if/when any changes to appearance or behavior are noticeable, we can dig into possible reasons why. Preventing common diseases is just as important as early detection and treatment of developing health problems.
Have questions on how to keep your pet healthy? Give us a call at (540) 832-1751. Our team is always here to help your pet at Crossroads Animal Hospital.