Top Reasons for Visits: Discovering Common Vet Procedures
Whether you’re curious about the most common vet procedures out there or you just want to learn more about pet healthcare and wellness, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common vet procedures, including the reasons people are most likely to need to take their pets to the vet. From dental health to fleas and skincare, keep reading to learn all about the most common vet procedures and reasons for going to the vet.
Skin Allergies and Ear Infections
Some of the most common health problems faced by dogs and cats alike are skin allergies and ear infections. While they may not seem to have much to do with one another, ear infections and skin allergies can often be closely related.
When it comes to ear infections specifically, this condition often strikes pets that have a lot of hair in their ears. This is because all of that fluff limits ventilation, creating warm and moist areas inside the ears, which are sadly perfect breeding grounds for yeast. Fortunately, preventing ear infections is simple: routine grooming by removing excess hair and regular pet ear cleaning should be all you need to keep your pet’s ears free of infection.
But how are ear infections related to skin allergies? Skin allergies can lead to repetitive ear scratching for some pets. Bacteria is easily introduced into your pet’s ears as a result, or they might disturb the natural balance of their skin. Either way, a nasty ear infection can result. Routine checkups with your local veterinarian can ensure that conditions like skin allergies are noticed and treated early on.
Hyperthyroidism in Cats
You may not have heard of hyperthyroidism before, especially if you don’t really read about common vet procedures and medical conditions for cats. But it’s a common ailment among older felines, coming in as the fifth most common cat health condition according to statistics by Nationwide pet insurance.
Cats become susceptible to hyperthyroidism as they age, and it can cause heart problems, high blood pressure, and even death if left untreated. The most obvious sign that your cat has the disease is that they might eat enormous amounts of food, but be losing weight at the same time. Hyperthyroidism can be treated with medications or with iodine injections, depending on what your vet recommends.
Toxin Poisoning
Did you know that many toys intended for pets are made with materials that are actually toxic for them? If you’re like most pet owners, you probably purchase toys for your pet without realizing that they can be harmful to your pet’s health. The harmful toxins used in toys can be ingested by pets if they’ve been broken, cracked, or beginning to deteriorate during play.
As the first line of defense against poisoning, you should always pay attention to your pet while they’re playing, as well as to the condition of their toys and accessories. If that rubber squeaker toy got cracked at the dog park or is breaking down from age, you should take it away from your pet right away and replace it. You should also make sure that when you buy toys, they’re specifically labeled as being free from BPA and other harmful toxins. Keep in mind that many toys are beneficial to your pet’s health, such as by helping to keep their teeth clean. It’s a good idea to have as many of these in your pet’s collection as possible and to avoid the ones that aren’t advertised as toxin-free.
If you’re concerned that your pet may have ingested toxic materials from toys or anywhere else, you should get them an appointment at your veterinarian’s office. You should also remember to take your pet in for regular checkups, even when there aren’t any noticeable health problems present. Getting to see your pet regularly will help veterinarians detect early signs of toxin poisoning, and allow them to identify the most likely culprit.
Parasites
Pets can get intestinal parasites rather easily — not surprisingly, as even the cleanest pet can’t be kept away from bacteria-laden garbage all the time. Pets can be exposed to parasites by other animals that may wander into your yard throughout the year. No matter how clean your house is, your pet can still be exposed to parasites just be going outside.
Because of this, screening and treating pets for parasites is one of many common vet procedures conducted by animal care specialists. Screening for parasites is done using stool samples, and it should be done regularly to avoid serious health complications. Fortunately, the screening process is inexpensive and usually quick, so it’s a small price to pay to avoid future problems.
Aging Pet Care
A more specialized form of pet care involves taking care of pets as they age. Aging pets need to see the vet once every six months because older animals are more likely to experience problems like thyroid, heart, liver, and kidney issues. During these appointments, pet owners should update their vets on things like changes to their pet’s behavior or eating habits, as these can be early warning signs of oncoming health issues.
Besides checking your aging pet for potential discomfort and disease, regular checkups can be reassuring for the pet owner as well. Realizing that your four-legged friend is nearing its last days with you is saddening, and you want to ensure that the rest of your pet’s life with you is as happy and comfortable as possible. Regular checkups offer a convenient way to communicate with your vet about your pet’s aging process. This will give you the chance to learn how best to care for your pet as it gets older. Veterinarians can also help get pet owners’ support when a beloved pet is nearing death. These are just some of the many reasons you should visit your local vet more frequently as your pet gets older.
