Pet Health Advice
From Adviceopedia
Pet Health Advice 101
Select the Right Vet for Your Pet
Most vets are experienced in caring for dogs and cats, but you may find you need a specialist, depending on the species you choose.
The list of specialists includes, but is not limited to:
- Avian vets- Specialize in treating birds
- Equine vets- Specialize in treating horses
- Exotic vets- Specialize in treating reptiles, amphibians and other unusual pets
- Large animal vets- Specialize in treating farm animals such as cows, sheep and swine
Provide Regular Veterinary Care
Regular veterinary checkups should be the cornerstone of any pet care program. This pet health advice may seem very basic, but it is also quite valuable when followed because it may save you thousands of dollars in the long run.
Routine checkups provide a baseline measurement of your pet's overall health, making it easier to spot illnesses, infections and other health issues while still in their earliest stages, before significant damage has occurred. This can sometimes preempt the need for lengthy and expensive treatments, so it's well worth the investment in your pet.
Most vets recommend a thorough examination when you first obtain your pet, and then annual well-pet checkups thereafter, unless your pet becomes ill or injured and needs immediate treatment.
Have Your Pet Vaccinated
All eligible pets should receive veterinarian recommended vaccinations specific to their species.
Vaccinations help an animal's body build up immunities to common infectious diseases and organisms. An initial small dose of killed virus is injected in order to provoke a white cell response from your pet's immune system.
Subsequent doses of the virus are met with increasingly quicker immune responses, guaranteeing the intruder will be wiped out before it has a chance to take hold and make your pet sick.
Most vaccinations are given in a series of two to three injections, with annual boosters provided according to your vet's individual pet health advice.
Check for Parasites
Many pets are susceptible to a variety of parasites, including:
- Fleas
- Ticks
- Intestinal worms
- Heart worms
- Mites
- Lice
In general, parasites set up housekeeping on or inside of your pet, robbing it of vital nutrition and causing a decline in your pet's health. Left unchecked, some infestations can eventually cause death. This is a perfect illustration of why it's so important to follow through with regular veterinary exams.
Fleas, ticks, mites and lice all leave plenty of visual evidence, even if you have a hard time seeing these pests yourself.
Look for:
- Red, irritated skin
- Rashes
- Brown specks in fur
- Brown goopy discharge in ears
Treatment for external pests usually consists of:
- Medicated/insecticidal baths and/or dips
- Insecticidal powders/collars/spot treatments
Internal parasites often require veterinary testing to confirm/diagnose.
Signs of infestation may include:
- Overall "scruffy" appearance
- General lethargy
- Breathlessness
- Bloody discharge in stools
- Tiny rice-like worm segments in stools and around the anal region
Internal parasites are usually eliminated with oral medication.
Provide Dental Care
Pet health advice about dental care is often overlooked by some owners, but it's vital for pets with teeth and gums. These pets should receive annual dental examinations and weekly teeth cleaning to remove bacterial build up. Bacteria that make their way under the gum line can cause a periodontal infection with the capacity to enter the bloodstream and travel to the heart.
Ignoring this pet health advice can lead to tooth loss, and perhaps even heart disease for your pet.
Provide a Suitable Habitat
Different pets require different habitats, including a food and water source to keep them happy and healthy. What kind of home will your pet need?
Examples:
- Dogs need shelter from the elements, whether they live inside your home or outside in a kennel run. They also need adequate room for exercise.
- Cats do best living indoors, and enjoy having a cat tree with space to play, scratch, nap and exercise. Don't forget to provide a clean litter box.
- Fish need an adequate-sized aquarium or bowl based on the size and number of tank occupants.
- Birds need cages that are large enough to offer a bit of room for flight and enough space so perches are not placed directly over feeding cups. Avoid placing cages near drafts.
- Small animals such as rabbits, hamsters and cavies (Guinea pigs) require a well ventilated, but draft-free cage with plenty of litter bedding and room to exercise.
- Horses and many other farm animals need access to a warm, dry stable/barn, and a well-fenced paddock with plenty of grazing space.
- Reptiles need tanks that provide both humidity and a warm spot. All tanks should have secure lids to prevent escapes.
- Amphibians need a semi-aquatic environment and some suitable live plants.
Regardless of the kind of habitat your pet needs, keep it as clean as possible to assure your pet's continued good health.
Keep Your Pet Groomed
Although the need for grooming depends on the species you're dealing with, many pets benefit from regular grooming sessions.
This can include:
- Brushing
- Baths
- Nail/hoof/beak trimming
- Fur or wing trimming
Grooming sessions not only help you detect parasite and skin infections, they can also reveal other uncomfortable problems like slivers and burrs.
Obviously, you wouldn't need to bathe a fish or a frog, but pets that do not require actual grooming still benefit from a good visual exam for any unusual changes. Their grooming also includes the care you put into cleaning their living space.
Feed an Appropriate Diet
Every species has its own specific nutritional needs, so it's very important to feed fresh foods and/or a commercial diet designed for the type of animal you have. Cats should not be fed dog food; cavies should not be fed rabbit food, and so on. Ask your vet to recommend a healthy diet for your specific pet.
Feed on a Schedule
This pet health advice pertains to virtually any type of companion animal. Feeding a species-appropriate diet on a regular schedule helps pets avoid prolonged periods of starvation/dehydration that can throw their body chemistry out of balance.
Consider your pet's nutritional requirements based on its age, species and current health, and stick to a regular daily schedule. Your pet will likely thrive on the consistency.
Consider Spaying/Neutering
Spaying or neutering pets when practical can actually prolong their lives by reducing or eliminating the chance to develop infections and some forms of cancer.
Altering pets also reduces their urge to roam in search of mates. This means less exposure to other stray animals, injuries and accidents.
If spaying or neutering isn't practical, simply opting not to breed your pet will still reduce bodily wear and tear.
Pet Health Insurance
Pet health insurance plans have become available in recent years to help defray veterinary expenses for horses, cats and dogs.
In exchange for a fee, these plans offer a discounted rate for emergency care and many routine health care needs, including vaccinations, worming, spaying/neutering and more. For an additional fee, riders may also be added to a policy to cover the cost of chronic care issues like heart disease and cancer. Ask your vet for recommendations about health insurance providers.
Health Advice for Pet Owners
No matter which kind of pet you have, remember to wash your hands after interacting with your pet or cleaning its living space. Some animals can unwittingly transfer organisms such as salmonella bacteria, worms or toxoplasmosis to their owners, so it just makes good sense to take such a simple precaution.
