Dr. Jennifer Rotruck and your pet's health. Some tips.....

We all want our pets to live long, happy and healthy lives. The best way to reach this goal is to do everything possible to prevent injury or disease. Here are some simple things you can do to insure that your pet has the best life possible.

YEARLY EXAMS: Regardless of age, breed, lifestyle or outward appearance of health a veterinarian should examine all pets at least once a year. Senior pets and those with certain health conditions should have more frequent exams. Pets are very good at hiding disease and your vet could detect a potential problem weeks, months or even years before obvious signs of disease are seen at home. Early detection of disease always leads to the best chance of recovery and will be less painful for your pet and less expensive for you.

SPAY OR NEUTER: All pets should be spayed or neutered unless you intend to responsibly breed them. This can prevent many diseases including some cancers, reduces roaming tendencies and prevents unwanted litters.

VACCINES: Vaccinations are an important part of any healthcare plan. Always request 3-year vaccines if they are approved in your county because they are just as effective as 1-year vaccines but reduce the risk of possible side effects. Also ask about what vaccines are necessary for your pet. Not all vaccines are required for all pets due to differences in lifestyle, age and your geographic location.

HEALTHY FOOD AND FRESH WATER: Always feed your pet the highest quality food you can afford. A healthy diet will create a healthier pet with a shinier coat. You may also notice that cleaning the litter box or picking up after your dog is easier to do! Also, remember to give your pets the same filtered or bottled water that you drink.

YOUR PET NEEDS TO GO TO THE GYM TOO: Dogs and cats need exercise just as much as we do. Walking your dog or playing with your cat will benefit both of you. And remember that the easiest way to keep your pet fit is to prevent them from becoming overweight in the first place. This can help prevent many diseases that also occur in humans such as diabetes and arthritis.

DON’T LET THEM RUN FREE: Dogs should always be on a leash if outdoors and cats are MUCH safer indoors. Even the most obedient and loyal dog can run out into the street if it sees something exciting on the other side. Limiting your pets freedom just a little bit will stop you from having to deal with the trauma of a cat or dog who’s been hit by a car, attacked by another animal or runs away.

MICROCHIPS AND TAGS: All pets should wear a collar with tags and be micro-chipped. This is a simple procedure that can be done at anytime but is often done during a spay or neuter. It is not much different than getting a vaccine and is harmless to your pet. It enables a clinic or shelter that finds your pet to rapidly determine who he or she belongs to and create a happy reunion.

FIGHT THE FLEAS, TICKS AND WORMS: Ask you veterinarian about what preventatives your pet needs based on their lifestyle, geographic location and age. These can help prevent heartworms, fleas, ticks and various other “unwelcome guests” that may want to visit your pet.

DENTAL CARE: Dental disease is the #1 most common problems seen in pets. Most pets over the age of 3 have some degree of dental disease. If you can brush your pet’s teeth on a regular basis, that’s great. For most of us this isn’t a practical option so routine cleanings at your veterinarians office become necessary. There is no specific time frame that is right for all pets. Some pets need their teeth cleaned every 6 months where others can go up to 3 years. Your veterinarian can tell you if it’s time for a safe and effective cleaning under sedation. Maintaining good oral health can help prevent painful tooth loss and even heart, lung and kidney disease.

ROUTINE LABWORK: I recommend routine labwork (blood and urine tests) at least once a year for all pets that are in their middle age to senior years. This is about 7-8 years for cats and 6-8 years for dogs depending on the breed. Pets are notoriously good at hiding illness and often don’t show signs of disease until it has progressed to a serious stage. Routine bloodwork can detect health problems in about 10% of animals that seem outwardly healthy.

EARLY SIGNS OF DISEASE: If your pet shows any change in behavior, habits, eating, drinking, urinating or does anything that concerns you it’s time for an exam. And remember that “age is not a disease.” There are many diseases that become more common with age, but age alone is not a reason for a pet to do things such as change eating habits or have trouble climbing stairs.

YOUR VETERINARIAN: Always take your pet to a veterinarian you trust and have a good relationship with.

About the author: Jennifer Rotruck, DVM is a graduate from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She runs her own veterinary house call practice in Destin, Florida. Dr. Rotruck lives and works with her 3 cats, 2 dogs and lop eared rabbit. She can be contacted at thehousecallvet@gmail.com