This spring remember more than just rabies vaccinations

Sharmon Gilbert, DVM

Spring is coming and many of us turn our attention to the outdoors and our animals. It is also the season to license our dogs with the city or county. Many of us think of vaccinations, primarily rabies as the only vaccination required by law and needed to license dogs. Rabies is an important vaccination to give to all of our pets, including cats. It is a serious disease and vaccinating our pets helps to reduce the risk of human exposure. However there are other health considerations that are equally or more important for our pets.
An annual physical exam is a good start to keeping our pets healthy. Dogs and cats age about 7 years to our one. This does vary between cats, giant breed and miniature breed dogs. Could you imagine taking your child, or yourself, to the doctor for a physical only once every seven years? Many things could change in that amount of time. It is the same for your pet. A through physical exam should include checking your pets skin and coat, eyes, ears, nose, mouth and teeth, bones and joints, lymph nodes and abdomen, and listening to the thorax, feeling pulses, checking the reproductive system and perineum. If abnormalities are found, the problems can be addressed. For example a lump on the skin can be checked with a laboratory test to see if it should be removed or if it may be left alone.

At the time of an annual exam, vaccinations, parasite control and any other concerns, can be discussed with your veterinarian and their staff.

Vaccination protocols have changed in the past few years. Pets do not usually need all vaccinations every year, but it is important that they keep up on the ones that they do need. It is crucial for puppies and kittens to receive vaccinations early. Puppies need to be vaccinated at least three times, with the last set being given after the puppy turns twelve weeks old. Canine parvo virus continues to be a significant threat to unvaccinated or under-vaccinated dogs. It can cause death, sometimes even if treated. Vaccinating saves lives and is less expensive by far that treating a dog for parvo. Parasite control is also important.

The Center of Disease Control recommends that adult dogs and cats be given parasite control medication every month to prevent round worm infection. This is to decrease the exposure of people to the round worm eggs. Problems are rare, but if ingested the larva can cause blindness. Puppies and kittens typically have a much higher parasite load and need to be given deforming medication more frequently. Other parasites can be discussed during a physical exam.

Your veterinarian can be a good source of information about other concerns like behavior and training issues.
Regular exams become even more important as pets reach advanced years, or become seniors.

The age that pets become seniors varies by species and breed, but to make things simple it is seven and old. At this age it is best to bring your pet in for an exam every six months. Health problems are more likely to occur in the advanced years and bi-annual exams can help catch problems before they become serious. Part of a senior pets exam can include blood work, urinalysis and fecal exam. Laboratory test help to detect problems early, before they may even be apparent to owners at home. If diseases are caught early they are usually better managed and this will extend the life of your pet and give better quality of life. An example may be kidney disease. When caught early something as simple as a diet change can help your pet. Another example may be diabetes. If caught early, therapy can begin and pets usually do well and feel good.

If left undiagnosed and untreated too long, pets can become very ill, lose sight or even die. Normal laboratory results are also important. This is the best news you can receive and it helps give normal values specific for your pet. Regular physical exams will help extend and improve your pets life

This spring, remember your pet’s rabies vaccinations, but don’t forget your pets over all health. Let your veterinarian and their staff help you keep your pet healthy. (Doctor Gilbert is with Emery Animal Health.)