Prepare Pets for Spring: Veterinary Check-Up in SouthCoast
As a pet owner in New England, there are certain seasons when a visit to your local Dartmouth animal hospital might be very advantageous. In the fall, it’s a good idea to get your pets checked to make sure they don’t have any issues that occurred in the summer, such as picking up fleas and ticks from outdoors. In the winter, if your pet spends any time in the cold weather and snow, you might want to get their feet checked for any damage from ice and make sure that they are healthy. However, springtime is considered by most veterinarians to be the “busy season” with so many new babies being born, preventive veterinary treatments that are required, and lots of people making plans for travel.
A veterinary check-up is usually needed once each year to ensure that your pet is healthy. Pets that visit “doggie daycare” facilities, go into boarding while their humans are on vacation, or spend any time at the local dog parks should stay up on vaccinations and other preventive treatments. Additional veterinary visits may be required that don’t necessitate a complete workup and exam, but at least demand a quick visit with vet techs and support staff for booster shots, updated preventive medications, and other services. Each pet has different needs depending on the species, breed, age, health, and lifestyle. Discuss your pet’s needs when you visit Anchor Animal emergency veterinary hospital in Dartmouth.
More Opportunities for Injuries and Illnesses
Springtime signals a time to get outdoors – both for pets and humans. Once the snow and ice thaw, we all want to get outside for fresh air and sunshine. Unfortunately, that can mean exposure to more situations and opportunities for injury and illness. A lot of veterinary check-up demands for the spring include a focus on preventive veterinary treatments, such as annual heartworm testing and prescription of flea and tick preventives. Many pet owners schedule the yearly visit at this time to ensure that their pets are prepared for the warm months of spring and summer, especially if their pet spends a lot of time outdoors or if they travel a lot – either with the pet or have the pet in a boarding situation.
When you visit our Dartmouth animal hospital, make sure to bring along a list of questions or concerns that you might have so you can discuss them with our staff. We are happy to answer any questions, offer advice and support, make suggestions regarding safety, health, nutrition, and training to help you and your pet have a healthy and happy relationship. While many people think about training and behavioral issues concerning dogs only, there are lots of cats, rabbits, and other pets that have their share of concerns that must be addressed as well. The more you can learn about the dietary, habitat, and care needs of your particular pet, the easier it will be to take care of them. Anchor Animal Hospital cares for many different types of pets, including cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, and assorted pocket pets.
Common Health Concerns
Many of today’s pets face health concerns that they didn’t face just a few years ago. Studies reveal that more than 50 percent of dogs and nearly 60 percent of cats in the United States are obese. Similar to humans, especially because our pets often eat table scraps or enjoy snacks with their owners, our pets are more overweight than they have ever been. Unfortunately, many pet owners do not understand what obesity looks like in pets and might not even recognize that their pet is overweight. Your veterinarian can help you make smart choices concerning diet and exercise that can help your pet lose weight. Being overweight can cause undue stress and strain on mobility and increase the risk for diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, high blood pressure, and even certain types of cancer.
To ensure that your pet has a long and healthy life, make sure to schedule regular veterinary check-up visits with our emergency veterinary hospital and stay on top of all recommended preventive veterinary treatments and nutrition requirements. The good news is that pet obesity, and other common health risks are preventable and curable, but the sooner you can get started by scheduling a visit with your trusted Dartmouth animal hospital staff, the easier it will be to get them in good shape. Some of the dietary changes can include a nutrient-dense, low-calorie prescription diet and treats, as well as increased physical and mental exercise to help keep your pet active.
Contact Anchor Animal Hospital
If you are interested in scheduling a veterinary check-up for your pet this spring, contact our team by calling 508-996-3731. We can answer any questions you might have about our emergency veterinary hospital and services. Call today to schedule your appointment or to speak with one of our team members about your needs for preventive veterinary treatments and annual testing.