For many pet owners, a visit to the animal hospital is a nerve wracking and frightening event. However, an animal hospital in close proximity to your home is endlessly useful, providing veterinary services and veterinary options in the event of veterinary emergency. A veterinary specialty center such as an animal hospital can assess the condition of your pet and decide if further treatment is necessary. Even if further treatment is not required, the peace of mind that can be given is priceless.
Pets are common all across the United States, particularly animals such as dogs and cats. In fact, nearly forty million households in the United States alone own at least one cat, if not more. Many households are also proud dog owners. And a significant percentage of households own both a cat and a dog, proving that the old adage of cats and dogs being prone to fighting is not always true.
When you are a pet owner, it is important to maintain your pet’s health on a regular basis and not only seek medical treatment at a place like an animal hospital in situation of veterinary emergency. While emergency animal hospitals certainly have their role, they should not be the only time that your pet, cats and dogs alike, see medical treatment. For instance, it is important to take your new puppy or kitten in for regular check ups as they grow, typically once every three to four weeks so that they can be fully vaccinated. Fortunately, this is only necessary until they are around four months – or sixteen weeks – old but it is critical to their continued health into adulthood. Adult animals should still see a veterinarian regularly, though far less frequently. It is recommended that adult animals have biannual vet visits every year, even if they are routinely given a clean bill of health. These regular visits can help to spot any chronic conditions in their beginning stages, allowing vets to provide treatment and care before the condition becomes severe and potentially life altering for the animal and its owners.
Dental disease is one of these common conditions that veterinarians look out for, and it is seen frequently in both cats and dogs alike. In fact, the average cat or dog is likely to develop the beginning stages of dental disease by the time that they reach three years of age, still relatively young for both cats and dogs, who often live until their teens. Dental disease can have a number of adverse affects on a cat or dogs health, such as dental abscesses and loose teeth, which can both lead to issues with chronic pain. Chronic dental pain can also lead to problems with eating which can in turn lead to sometimes dangerous weight loss in your pets. Fortunately dental disease can be treated if diagnosed early enough.
From a veterinarian’s office to an animal hospital, living in close proximity to medical care centers for your animals can be important and even life saving. However, it is important that you seek regular medical check ups for your animals even outside of health crises, as chronic conditions can develop and should be closely monitored.