Stream Valley Veterinary Hospital Â© 2012 / Resolution Solutions

Resolution Solutions
by Shannon M. Pecora, M.A.
Stream Valley Veterinary Hospital

It’s resolution season, so we at Stream Valley thought we might share with you some of the ways that you can resolve to make 2011 a great year for your pets. If you’ve already incorporated these suggestions into your pet care routine, then kudos to you! But if your routine does not include any or all of these ideas, you should know that these tips can help your pet live a longer, healthier, happier life.

·                     Make sure your pet receives a health exam at least two times per year, and more if your veterinarian recommends it. Pets “age” faster than we do, so a semi-annual check up at the vet can be comparable to us visiting our doctors once every year or two. These exams can help confirm your pet’s health, track any chronic conditions, or potentially catch any new problems early on.

·                     Along with those semi-annual exams, your pet (dogs, cats, and ferrets in particular) should receive routine vaccinations. Talk to your vet about your pet’s lifestyle so that you can be sure your pet is vaccinated appropriately. Especially with diseases such as rabies and distemper, prevention can truly be the best medicine.

·                     Preventative products also exist for parasites like heartworms, fleas, and ticks. The safest and most effective products are available from your vet. They are generally given orally or applied topically once monthly—year-round—and it is vital to not miss a dose. Once you and your vet have discussed your pet’s preventative needs, keep those doses current! Just as with vaccines, prevention of infection and infestation is key. As a bonus, some of these products can help protect your pet from hookworms, roundworms, mange, and other such infestations as well.

·                     Virtually all cats and dogs can benefit from regular grooming, including basic baths, nail trims, and oral care. Obviously, a clean pet is not such a stinky pet, but proper bathing and brushing can help prevent fur matting and skin irritation (which can lead to infection). Overgrown nails can sometimes begin to curl backward, growing back into the foot itself. They also inhibit normal gait. Finally, regular teeth-brushing (and/or use of dental chews, rinses, etc.) has the same benefit for our pets as for us: protection against bad breath, gum disease, tooth decay, and potential subsequent internal organ disease.

·                     We shouldn’t eat pizza, potato chips, and cookies all day, and neither should our pets. Table scraps, too many treats, and low-quality pet food can be the equivalent of too much junk food. Our pets have certain calorie and nutrient requirements, which can be met through a wide variety of high-quality foods and treats. Your vet can help you figure out your pet’s needs and suggest food brands and formulas that may work best. And once you have found that right food, stick with it (unless a health issue arises that would necessitate a diet change). Frequent food changes can irritate a pet’s stomach, leading to diarrhea, vomiting, pancreatitis, or other illnesses.

·                    Pets also need regular and appropriate exercise, such as time in a run-about hamster ball, play sessions with a kitty laser light toy, or a jog through the neighborhood on a secure dog leash. Activity allowances and restrictions can be based on age, breed, weight, and health status, so, again, check with your vet to create a suitable fitness regimen. Help your pet maintain joint, muscle, and cardiovascular health and release some pent up energy, and you just might see some of those benefits for yourself, too!

If in doubt about any aspect of your pet’s well-being, always check with your vet. There may be other recommendations to follow specifically for your pet to stay as healthy as possible. In any case, let’s all resolve to make 2011 a healthy year for every member of our families!