Working within the veterinary field, there are times when I have to remind myself that even though certain recommendations and discussions seem routine to me, they may not seem so apparent to my clients. So, I wanted to take the time to reveal the seven secrets I wish all pet owners knew before even stepping foot into a veterinary clinic with their pet.
1. Regular Check-Ups Are Essential:
Regular veterinary check-ups are not just for when your pet is sick. Dogs and cats age a lot faster than humans; a senior dog may age by 4-8 years in a single human year – in that sense, think how much could change! Most veterinarians will advocate for yearly to twice-yearly wellness exams, depending on the age and health status of your dog or cat. For pets under the age of 7 that are otherwise generally healthy, veterinarians recommend yearly check-ups to perform a physical exam, vaccinations if warranted, and blood tests checking for heartworm and tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease. Pets over the age of 7, generally considered our senior pets, or those with underlying health concerns are typically advised to seek twice-yearly visits. These visits are used not only for wellness care, like vaccinations and physical exams, but also to scan and catch health issues early, ensure prompt treatment recommendations, monitor treatment plans already set in place, and potentially extend the quality and length of your pet’s life. Check out Zoetis’ My Pet’s Physiological Age chart which provides an easy-to-follow guide showing your pet’s age compared to a human’s physiological age and preventable testing recommendations.
2. Preventive Care Saves Money and Suffering:
Focusing on preventative care is a superior way to approach healthcare and I will often use time during wellness exams to facilitate discussions about ways to prevent disease and prolong the longevity of our pets. Vaccines, for example, often come down to a discussion of lifestyle, risks, and prevention. There are core vaccines recommended and sometimes legally required of all cats and dogs, such as the Rabies vaccine, but if your dog enjoys playing with other pups at dog parks on the weekend or goes to doggy daycare while you’re at work, then there is a risk for exposure to respiratory diseases that warrant a discussion about the available respiratory vaccines. Those vaccines can decrease the likelihood of potentially serious complications of canine flu or kennel cough, which in severe cases can lead to pneumonia, need for hospitalization, or even death. Or say your kitty likes to venture outside, enjoy the sunshine, and birdwatch, but other stray cats live in the area; then we should discuss protection against the feline leukemia virus, a potentially deadly virus spread between cats that eat or drink from common areas that could shorten your kitty’s lifespan or lead to becoming immunocompromised. In my eyes, the investment in preventative care can save from the financial and emotionally draining consequences of trying to treat a preventable issue.
3. Dental Health Matters and Sometimes That Means Extracting Teeth:
Half of my work week is spent performing comprehensive oral health assessments and treatments, often simply referred to as dental procedures, on dogs and cats. I am ecstatic when I get to tell a client their pet only needed a scale and polish because we found no evidence of significant periodontal disease due to their daily brushing routines and yearly dental cleanings, but the reality is for every one of my patients that doesn’t need extractions, the other four in my schedule do. Periodontal disease happens for an accumulation of reasons, including genetics, but there is a preventative component to it as well. Regular dental care, which includes brushing at home and professional cleanings, can help prevent painful dental disease and the need for extractions. However, when extractions are recommended there is often an initial hesitance that happens from some clients and that’s the area I’d like to address. A veterinarian recommends extractions when specific guidelines are met indicating the tooth is diseased. These guidelines include things like greater than 50% bone loss around the tooth, evidence of abscessing around a root, breakdown of the hard enamel and dentin of the tooth, also known as resorption, and/or mobility of a tooth. When those things occur, the teeth are compromised, prone to fracture, infection, and can cause pain/discomfort that your pet may hide from you. There is an emotional attachment to teeth for people, but dogs and cats can eat and function just fine missing teeth. They’ll often have a better quality of life once diseased teeth are removed. Now, to prevent tooth extractions, routine dental care is the way to go and I recommend the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s Accepted Products list for at-home dental care products for dogs and cats.
4. Let’s Talk Finances:
One of the most challenging aspects of veterinary medicine is the financial component. Beyond wellness care, the average emergency visit could cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars, all of which accounts for your veterinarian and their staff’s expertise, time, recommended diagnostics and treatment plans. When in a situation where you’re unsure about your ability to afford the recommendations for your pet, ask for an estimate and be honest about your financial ability. Every veterinarian should be offering the gold standard of diagnostics and treatments, not because they’re out for the money, but because it is the best medicine; though veterinarians understand the limitations that come with each unique situation and try our best to offer alternative options in those scenarios. It is also important to prepare ahead for these potential situations if you have a pet. Consider things like pet insurance to help cover the costs of accidents and illnesses, look into health and wellness credit cards such as CareCredit, or have a savings fund set aside specifically for emergencies. If you are really in a tight spot financially, there are subsidized clinics, often associated with non-profit organizations such as the SPCA, that may have low-cost clinics attached to them for you to reach out to.
5. Weight Management Is Important:
Obesity is a growing concern among pets. Obesity can exacerbate conditions such as joint problems, like arthritis, or even increase the risk for certain diseases, like diabetes or heart disease. For dogs and cats in their ideal body condition, you should be able to feel and see the ribs without excess fat accumulation, as well as see and feel a tucked waist from above and the side. The focus on maintaining a healthy weight is through portion control, limiting and improving snack choices, and implementing regular exercise routines. If you are having trouble getting your pet to lose weight, your veterinarian can determine your pet’s daily caloric with a scientific calculation to help you set your pet up for success in weight loss or weight management. A great resource to refer to is the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, including tips on how to accurately determine your pet’s body condition score.
6. Know Your Pet’s Normal:
Pets are masters at hiding pain; they often do not whimper or cry or complain, but instead, their pain and discomforts are shown in more subtle ways – not bearing weight and limping on one of the legs, refusing to eat breakfast, going off to sleep on their own when they’re typically very social and interactive. Now, because pets hide pain, understanding what’s normal for your pet is crucial. Dogs and cats can’t speak to us when something is wrong the way people can. Veterinarians will use their physical exam and diagnostic tests, like bloodwork and imaging, to put the pieces together as to why a pet might not be feeling well, but you know your pet’s normal behaviors and routines. The details you provide often help steer a veterinarian in a general direction for figuring out what is going on with your pet. Work together with your veterinarian when changes in behavior, appetite, or appearance occur for a collaborative journey to keep your pet healthy and happy.
7. Practice Mindfulness:
Many people don’t realize the ins and outs of what occurs in a typical day working in veterinary medicine. For example, most veterinary appointments are set at 15 to 30-minute intervals. That means a veterinarian has 15 to 30 minutes to examine your pet, make recommendations, answer questions, address concerns, administer wellness care or treatments, and provide requested services from nail trims to ear cleanings before needing to get into the next room for their next patient. This makes punctuality and patience key. Please be on time, one appointment running late can set off a cascade for the whole day and if you miss more than half your appointment, be prepared that you may be asked to reschedule. In turn, please be patient. If it is taking a bit longer for you to be seen it may be that another patient is very sick and needs an extensive work-up, an emergency arrived among the other previously scheduled visits, or the next room over is saying goodbye to their 13-year-old companion and just need a bit more time. Your veterinary staff is often juggling multiple of these kinds of cases at once, switching mental and emotional gears quickly to assist the next case, often working through breaks and lunches and staying late to see patients, so please remember to thank them for the job they’re doing.
Veterinarians choose their careers out of a passion to help animals and preserve the human-animal bond. By knowing these 7 secrets, you can become a more informed and proactive pet parent, ensuring that your furry friend receives the best possible care. Remember, communication with your veterinarian is key to maintaining your pet’s health and happiness. Together, we can provide your beloved companion with a loving and well-cared-for life.