Preventive Visits: Is Your Cat Due for a Veterinary Check-Up?

The biggest difficulty that pet owners face is not being able to ask a pet how they are feeling to find out whether they need to go in to the local veterinary clinic in Dartmouth for a check-up. The best way to ensure that your cat gets all of the care that he or she needs, is to schedule a regular veterinary check-up at least once a year to ensure that proper care is being provided. Depending on your pet’s age or medical history, your local veterinarian might recommend more frequent visits to ensure that nothing goes awry.

In addition to regular check-ups, your cat will also need other types of care. Dental care for pets can be provided at Anchor Animal Hospital in addition to other veterinary services. Anchor is also the top Dartmouth emergency vet, providing local residents and their pets with emergency care services, surgery, treatments and more. The team that provides these veterinary services at Anchor Animal Hospital is highly educated, trained and experienced, giving local residents in the South Coast area access to top quality veterinary care.

Don’t Ignore the Symptoms
Because our pets can’t tell us how they are feeling, it is up to us to keep a close eye on them to watch for any signs or symptoms of illness and injury. Even if your cat is an indoor cat and has no contact with any other animals, it is important to check for things like fleas, ticks, mites or anything else that might harm your pet. Many common ailments and diseases, as long as they are caught early and are treated at the local veterinary clinic in Dartmouth, either through a regular veterinary check-up or emergency visit, can be effectively treated. The sooner you can catch something and get your pet under veterinary care, the better.

Cats should have an annual veterinary check-up that includes:

• complete spectrum of blood work
• fecal exam for parasites and other issues
• tests that include diabetes, thyroid, adrenal, heartworm disease and more
• physical exams that check for ear infections, parasites, lumps and other abnormalities
• dental care for pets that includes checks for periodontal disease, gingivitis, etc.

Unfortunately, there are lots of people who have lost their pets simply because they did not get them the treatment they needed due to a lack of regular veterinary check-ups and exams. Check-ups can help veterinarians to treat illnesses early on so that they don’t progress and become more serious. If you see your cat acting differently or notice any physical changes, bring them into the local Dartmouth emergency vet right away for an exam.

Why Vaccinations Are Important
We hear a lot of debate today about vaccinations for humans, whether they are more beneficial or more harmful, depending on your point of view. However, there are some vaccinations that have been proven to save lives and that is true for both people and pets. Each and every animal is different, the type of environment that they live in, the things that they are exposed to, the type of lifestyle that they live – these things all influence the type of preventive care and treatments that are required for them to have a happy and healthy life. Discuss your cat’s needs with your veterinarian at the local veterinary clinic in Dartmouth and ask which vaccinations would be the most beneficial. Make sure to get booster shots as needed to keep your cat current on everything that he or she might need.

Home Check-Ups Can Help
Another way that you can help to keep your pet healthy is to do frequent check-ups at home. Speak with your vet at your next veterinary check-up about the things you can do to help keep your cat safe. Cleaning and checking ears, eyes and even teeth the proper way can do a lot toward keeping your pet healthy. Learn how to check your cat’s temperature, breathing and pulse, as well as look for other signs and symptoms that might be indicative of something more serious.

Dental care for pets can be administered at home, including brushing and even more detailed cleanings. Professional dental care for pets should come from the local veterinary clinic in Dartmouth, either as part of your annual veterinary check-up or as a separate visit for dental work. Preventive care and treatments can reduce treatment costs, help you catch small issues before they become big problems and help you to keep your pet safe and healthy. Ask your vet about other telltale signs of health problems, such as excessive drinking, lethargy, anxiousness, coughing or panting.

Make an Appointment at Anchor Animal Hospital
Get your cat all of the care and preventive treatments that they need by calling your local Southeastern Massachusetts animal hospital at 508-996-3731. Schedule a regular veterinary check-up, ask about the services available through our Dartmouth emergency vet clinic and even find out more about our dental care for pets.