The importance of annual vet visits

With the rising cost of living, many families are trying to find ways to make their dollar go further, including delaying or even skipping their pet’s annual vet visits.

In fact, the most recent Australian pet health monitor found over 40 percent of owners have either delayed a vet visit to ‘wait and see’ what happens, or reduced the frequency of their vet visits.

Others are skipping routine flea, tick and worm treatments, which not only puts your pet at risk, but for parasites that can be transmitted to humans, this can also impact the health of you and your family.

And while it’s understandable, regular vet visits are so much more than just a quick once-over — they’re a vital health check that could save your pet’s life.

Pets hide their pain

We know that early diagnosis, as well as preventative treatment, is what really makes a difference to the cost of your pet’s care.

You see, animals are experts at hiding pain and illness. By the time a problem becomes obvious, it’s often much more serious, and more costly, to treat.

Annual vet visits and health checks give us the chance to catch issues like dental disease, early kidney problems, hormonal disease, arthritis, or even cancer before they become major problems.

Why annual vet visits are so important

For senior pets or those with chronic disease, twice yearly vet visits for a check-up are even more crucial for early detection and management.

Regular vet visits are also the perfect time to stay on top of vaccinations, parasite control, weight management and nutrition.

As dental disease impacts on the overall health and wellbeing of our our dogs, it is extremely important that their teeth are checked annually and they under go professional dental cleans should they be showing signs of plaque and tartar.

Other common reasons for vet visits

Skin and ear issues

Dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) and Otitis (inflammation of the ear canal) are very common. They are often seen together and occur more commonly in Spring and Summer when many owners take their pet to the vets.

Causes are numerous, ranging from food allergies to airborne allergies (atopy) and, whilst treatment is initially aimed at resolving any infection (with antibiotics), and reducing irritation (with anti-inflammatories), the real long term solution involves the vet working with the owner to determine the underlying cause for sensitive and itchy skin.

This is often an arduous, drawn out process but well worth it in the end.  Symptoms include itching, licking, red or smelly skin and, for Otitis, head shaking or tilting of the head.

Seeking professional help is always the first port of call, while some treatments you can do to relieve itchy skin at home, in addition to diagnosis and medical care, can be found here.

Anal Glands

The Anal Glands are little sacks are located at the entrance of your dog’s bottom. They are supposed to empty when compressed by a stool, marking the stool with a signature scent for any other doggy passers by to acknowledge.

If the gland doesn’t empty completely, it becomes impacted or overfull and that’s when you see your usually civilised pooch scoot past you to empty the gland. This usually does the trick, but when it doesn’t, the gland can develop an abscess.

Persistent scooting does mean you should take your dog to the vet for manual emptying of the gland before an abscess can develop. In more severe cases we may recommend surgical removal of the glands.  Learn more about taking care of your dog’s Anal Glands here.

Diarrhoea and Vomiting

Due to their eating habits, it isn’t unusual for dogs to have the occasional bout of diarrhoea or vomiting. However, if these symptoms persist for longer than a day, or occur in the very young or elderly they should be taken straight to the vet’s.

A full workup will be undertaken to determine the cause, level of dehydration and pain assessed and, if necessary, the patient will be admitted to hospital for IVF, antibiotics and pain relief. Blood tests may be recommended to rule out pancreatitis which, if left untreated, can be potentially fatal.

Prevention of basic gastro issues can be difficult, but keeping up to date with annual vet visits, intestinal worming, feeding a good quality diet; and avoiding scavenging behaviour on walks, can go a long way towards reducing the incidence.

For cats, furballs can be a common cause of vommiting, so check out EAC Animal Care’s Furball Clear HERE.

Dr Melissa Meehan is a highly experienced and respected veterinary surgeon with almost years experience. Dr Melissa obtained her Members in Small Animal Medicine through examination in 2008 and now runs her own veterinary ophthalmology service. www.vetophthalmology.com.au