They can’t always let you know when they are feeling sick or hurt, so it’s important to take your dog or cat to the veterinarian for a check-up at least once year.
The Michigan Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) urges pet owners to ‘Get Your Pet to the Vet? twice a year, but Lake Orion veterinarian Dr. Corey Gut said owners should be bringing in their dog or cat at least once a year.
‘A lot depends on the age of the animal,? said Dr. Gut (pronounced G-O-O-T), who is known as Dr. Corey at Brinker Veterinary Hospital in Lake Orion, where she has practiced for three years.
‘Whenever you obtain a new dog or cat, you should always take them to see a veterinarian, to start to develop a healthy relationship and so that they can help you develop a plan for caring for you animal,? she said.
Kittens and puppies both require a series of vaccines, which help to booster their immune system and prepare them for adulthood.
Dogs and cats age an average of seven times faster than humans, with many animals reaching their ‘senior years? by age 7.
That’s why it’s important to take them in to the veterinarian at least once a year, as many diseases and conditions can worsen in a matter of a weeks.
‘For us, that would be like getting a check-up every three years,? Dr. Corey said.
‘As dogs and cats age, they can be at risk for heart, liver and kidney disease, diabetes and stuff like aches and pains.?
Dr. Corey said dental care is also important.
‘A lot of people think bad breath is just ‘doggie breath,? but it can be a sign of an oral infection,? she said.
‘During an exam, we also look at their eyes and nose, we check for any drainage and we look at their body condition.?
Dr. Corey also talks with owners about proper nutrition, and she checks the animal’s skin and coat to make sure they are getting enough fatty acids.
‘We also listen to their heart and lungs,? she said.
‘Some dogs are born with genetic diseases, as as they get older they can develop acquired diseases.?
Some things she typically sees animals acquire are asthma in cats and chronic bronchitis in dogs.
‘We also check the animal for any cancer,? said Dr.
See Corey. ‘And we check for masses in the abdomen.
‘Bringing the animal in also gives us a chance to talk with the owner about the animal’s behavior,? she said, adding that one of the hardest things about being a veterinarian is that animals can’t talk to them and tell them what’s wrong.
The MVMA notes that cats are ‘notorious? for hiding illnesses, and many owners may not notice subtle changes in appetite, elimination or other behavior until an illness is advanced.
‘Something an owner might think is normal could be a warning sign,? said Dr. Corey.
‘Some people think their pet is just fat, but it could be a sign of another condition. It’s better to be proactive than reactive.?
Some things that could be warning signs are excessive panting, which could be a sign of Cushing’s Disease in dogs, which is a result of too much circulating steroid, as well as excessive drinking and urinating, which Dr. Corey could be signs of diabetes.
‘It can also be a sign of a thyroid disease, and other stuff like that,? she said.
‘Metabolic diseases can destroy the kidneys.?
With cats, Dr. Corey said some warning signs are if the cat suddenly stops being social, which she said usually means they are ill or in some type of pain.
‘Certain breeds (of dogs and cats) are at risk for certain diseases,? she said.
‘Before you get a pet, you should talk to your veterinarian about what you should ask the breeder, or what to watch out for before you choose an animal,? she added.
Dr. Corey also recommends owners give their pets ‘quick physicals? at home, by looking at the animal’s teeth and feeling their body for lumps.
‘The other thing is, don’t be afraid to call us and ask,? she said.
‘Veterinarians are always happy to answer questions, and we can tell you if your concern is something that might require attention.?
Another issue Dr. Corey said some owners overlook is healthy weight management for their animal.
‘Just like in people, (being overweight) can cause different problems,? she said. ‘We see a lot of animals with problems that are exacerbated by the weight.?
Rather than just trying to cut back on food, Dr. Corey recommends bringing in the animal to have it checked for a metabolic disease.
‘With cats, a lot also depends on their body structure,? she said. ‘You should be able to feel the ribs by gently petting both sides. With dogs, they should have a tuck at the hip.?
Carrying extra weight can also cause orthopedic injuries for an animal.
‘Even with a hip surgery or something like that, we’ll recommend weight loss,? Dr. Corey said.
‘When you feed your animal depends on the lifestyle of the family and the breed of the cat or dog,? she said. ‘With big dogs, frequent small meals are best, to prevent bloating.
‘With some dogs who have deep and wide chests, we recommend elevated feeding bowls, and also for dogs with back problems,? said Dr. Corey.
For cats, ‘free choice? feeding usually isn’t a problem, with free choice referring to a bowl of food always being left out and the cat eating when it wants to.
‘Many do well with free choice, but some cats do need to be fed at specific times,? Dr. Corey said.
‘It also depends on the cat’s personality.?