If you’re a dog owner, you already know how much joy and love this animal can bring into our lives. The loyalty of a dog is unrivaled, and there’s nothing like coming home to an adorable creature who considers you to be its entire universe. Of course, being a dog owner involves effort and commitment. To keep them healthy and happy, they must be fed, bathed, walked, and generally cared for.
As a dog owner, one of the most important things you can do for your beloved pet is to keep up with all regular vet checkups. Why? Because a veterinarian can examine your dog for a variety of preventable health conditions and treat them early on before they become more serious ones.
Why is it important to take a proactive approach to canine health care?
For a long time, our pets’ health was viewed as a secondary concern. Despite a millennia-long relationship between humans and dogs, it is only recently that we have genuinely accepted these loving animals as members of the family and treated them as such.
Whereas in the past, dog health issues were simply a fact of life that may have cut a puppy’s time with us short, veterinary research has enabled us to treat our dogs’ health in the same way that we would treat humans. That is why preventative care is so important: it allows problems to be identified and addressed before they become serious (or even life-threatening), resulting in a longer, happier life for your dog and many more years of happy memories for their owners.
It’s only right that we do everything we can for our pets because they are such important members of our families. Let’s take a look at a few common canine health issues and how preventative treatment can help your dog stay safe and healthy for years to come.
1. Obesity.
Obesity is the most common health problem among our canine companions. Overweight or obese dogs account for over 60% of all pet dogs. Overweight dogs are more likely to develop significant health problems such as arthritis, diabetes, and respiratory problems.Regular checkups with your veterinarian will allow for routine weight evaluation of your dog, and if the veterinary staff discovers any weight gain, we will handle it as soon as possible. The experts will go over any dietary modifications that may be required to get your pet back in shape, as well as the importance of regular weight checks to verify that we are making progress.We understand that losing weight can be difficult, and we are here to help your pet every step of the way!
2. Tick-borne Diseases and Parasites
Tick-borne diseases and parasites, such as heartworm, can be exceedingly dangerous to your dog’s health. Thankfully, these health conditions are rather uncommon in British Columbia; nevertheless, we have many creatures who have been rescued from places where these issues are a serious concern. If your pet has gone internationally, your veterinarian will advise testing to confirm that your pet is free of heartworm, lyme disease, anaplasma, and other deadly infections.
We can utilize preventative drugs to protect your pet from heartworm, fleas, and ticks. All that’s required is a monthly dose of a chewable pill or a topical lotion. Your veterinarian will be able to write you a prescription based on the age, breed, and size of your dog, giving you peace of mind for years to come.
3. Arthritis
Arthritis is the inflammation and swelling of joints in your dog’s body’s critical stress areas. Osteoarthritis is the most frequent type of arthritis in dogs, and it affects mostly older dogs. This condition worsens over time, resulting in excruciating pain and a loss of mobility. Although not completely preventable, there are a number of things you can do to help your dog avoid this painful and debilitating ailment.
If your veterinarian feels that your dog is at danger of getting arthritis, he or she can make a number of suggestions to help improve his or her prognosis. The first phase is usually weight loss, which is achieved by a combination of appropriate exercise and a specialized diet. Your veterinarian will advise you to take joint supplements. Anti-inflammatory medicines may be required in some cases to alleviate your pet’s pain and keep them active.
4. Infectious Diseases.
Keeping your pet up to date on vaccines by seeing your veterinarian on a regular basis guarantees that your pet is protected against infectious diseases such as parvovirus, distemper, and rabies. Other dogs and wildlife can spread these diseases to humans. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent these dangerous diseases. Vaccination sessions are also a good time to talk about any other preventative care your dog might need.
5. Dental Illness
Dental care is an underappreciated, but essential, aspect of canine care. By the age of three, 80% of all dogs have evidence of dental illness, which can lead to more significant heart, lung, and renal problems.Dental disease is preventable and treatable. Brushing your dog’s teeth on a daily basis and providing daily dental chews are two things you can do at home to help maintain their teeth healthy. Your veterinarian will examine your dog’s oral health at his annual checkup and may prescribe a dental surgery.
Dental procedures, including as ultrasonic cleaning, polishing, fluoride therapy, and dental x-rays, are performed under general anaesthetic for your pet’s comfort and safety. They are crucial in the prevention and treatment of dental problems in dogs.
6. Cancer.
Unfortunately, cancer has affected the vast majority of us in one way or another. Hearing that a loved one has been diagnosed with this dangerous and unpredictable disease can be distressing, and our dogs are no exception.Despite the fact that dogs can develop cancer even if they live a healthy lifestyle, there is still hope. Veterinary science has helped us understand more about how and why cancer develops in dogs, as well as how to best prevent it in the future. For example, we now know that particular breeds, such as boxers, terriers, and retrievers, are more likely to get cancer. (Source: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
Although not all cancers can be avoided, there are a few things you can do to increase your dog’s chances of avoiding certain types. One of the best ways to lower your pet’s risks of acquiring cancer, particularly testicular or breast cancer, is to spay or neuter them as soon as possible. Regular vet appointments also allow your animal expert to fully screen your dog for cancer, allowing minor tumors to be treated and removed before they become life-threatening.As you can see, dogs are susceptible to a variety of health issues during the course of their lives. Fortunately, there’s nearly always something you and your veterinarian can do to stay on top of their health.