The ABCs of Animal Health Care
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A is for the annual veterinary check-up. The
annual veterinary check-up allows your veterinarian to perform a
thorough examination on your pet to evaluate its overall health
and detect any health problems early in their development.
B is for birds. Birds are popular pets. Most
require little space, don’t need walking, and are pleasing
to the eye! With proper care and annual check-ups, birds can live
a long time.
C is for choice. Before choosing a pet, there
are several things to consider. Different pets have different
temperaments. Some pets require extra time spent on grooming and
exercise. Some start out small, but grow quite big. Weigh your
options and select a pet that suits your lifestyle.
D is for dental health. Proper dental hygiene
is necessary for the prevention of periodontal disease. A healthy
dog or cat mouth should be odour-free and contain healthy, white,
even, teeth tightly nestled in pink, glistening gums!
E is for exercise. Exercise helps your pet
maintain a healthy body weight, promotes flexibility of muscles
and joints, increases energy levels and helps your pet feel good.
F is for feeding. Proper nutrition is
essential in the daily health maintenance of dogs and cats, and
is also important in the management of many diseases.
G is for grooming. Routine grooming is
important for pets—it improves their appearance, helps
prevent diseases and contributes to their overall well-being.
H is for holidays. The hustle and bustle of
the holiday season can be stressful, even dangerous for pets.
They encounter strangers, and are surrounded by bright lights,
firecrackers, potentially toxic chocolate treats and fatty table
scraps. Christmas trees with their prickly pine needles, tinsel,
wire hooks, and small ingestible ornaments are particularly
hazardous.
I is for identification. With proper
identification, there’s a greater chance your pet will be
returned safely if lost. There are many effective means of pet
identification available, from microchipping, to tattooing, to
the personalized dog/cat tag.
J is for joint pain. Pets feel the aches and
pains of the aging process. A common age-related problem is
arthritis, a condition in which the joints become inflamed. The
earliest signs of arthritis may be a pet’s reluctance to run
up and down stairs and jump around.
K is for Kids. Kids must be taught to handle
animals properly. Children should be involved in the care,
feeding, grooming and training of their pets. When it comes to
child / pet interaction - nothing beats parental supervision!
L is for Licensing. Municipal bylaws require
that dogs (and sometimes cats) be licensed and registered.
Licensing your dog and cat provides a means whereby they can be
identified and returned safely if lost.
M is for the many faces of veterinary medicine.
Although many veterinarians treat companion animals, one third of
Canadian veterinarians work with food producing animals and in
mixed practice. Some veterinarians supervise the health of fish
and birds, while others conduct research or teach in veterinary
colleges.
N is for neutering. Neutering is a surgical
procedure that helps eliminate medical and behavioural problems
in cats and dogs. The choice to have a dog or cat spayed or
neutered lies with the pet owner and is an effective way of
controlling the pet population.
O is for obedience training. Everybody wants
an obedient pet. They come when called, sit and wait on command
and are a pleasure to be around. Beginners level obedience
classes are open to dogs six months of age or older.
P is for Pet Proofing. Puppies and kittens
love to explore and their curiousity often gets them into
trouble! Before giving your pets the run of the house, there are
many things to consider. Are potentially toxic houseplants out of
reach? Are human medications and cleaning materials locked away?
Is the garbage well secured to prevent access?
Q is for quiet time. Pets like quiet time. In
order to get some peace and quiet, pets should have a private
area in the house where they can go to be by themselves. Pet
owners and children should respect their pet’s private area.
R is for responsibility. By law, dog owners
can be held liable for their dog’s actions. This includes
biting. To reduce the risk that your dog will bite, socialize and
train your dog early. Spend time with your dog. Dogs who spend a
lot of time alone can develop destructive tendencies. Teach your
dog to behave properly and lastly, have your dog neutered. This
common procedure tends to reduce aggressive behaviours
significantly.
S is for summer. In anticipation of the sunny
season, ensure that your pet is on an appropriate preventive
health care program including vaccinations, flea and tick control
and heartworm protection. During the summer months, exposure to
sunlight should be limited and cats and dogs provided access to
water and shade at all times. Never leave your pet unattended in
a parked vehicle. To avoid contact with harmful poisons, stay
away from areas that may have been sprayed with insecticides and
pesticides.
T is for Travel. When including your pet in
your vacation plans, visit your veterinarian to ensure that its
vaccinations are up to date. Before hitting the road, make sure
that your dog or cat is comfortable with travelling. Be sure to
pack your pet’s leash, regular food, a pet first aid kit and
some of his or her favourite toys.
U is for unconditional love. People love
their pets. Pets are four-legged friends who provide valuable
companionship and keep us entertained. Most of all, pets love us
unconditionally. The positive benefits of the human animal bond
cannot be underestimated.
V is for the vaccination. Vaccines contain
viruses, bacteria, or other disease-causing organisms that have
been killed or altered so that they can no longer cause disease.
Vaccines stimulate the body's immune system to form disease
fighting cells and proteins (known as antibodies) to protect
against diseases. Routine vaccination is recommended for all
pets, even those that rarely go out of the home.
W is for weight control. Animals struggle
with weight issues too! If your pet is overweight and needs to
lose a few pounds, review your pet’s lifestyle, eating
habits and exercise routine, stop feeding snacks and treats and
see your veterinarian to discuss your pet’s nutritional
requirements according to its level of activity.
X is for X-ray. An X-ray is a picture of the
shadows cast by bone and tissue on a photographic plate. X-rays
help veterinarians view and assess broken bones and other medical
conditions.
Y is for yelping. Dogs will yelp, whine or
cry out if they are afraid, anxious, or in pain. Cats vocalize
for these reasons too. If your dog or cat vocalizes excessively,
see your veterinarian to rule out underlying medical conditions.
Z is for zoonoses. Zoonoses are diseases that
can be transmitted from animals to humans through biting and
scratching. Examples of zoonoses range from ringworm, a common
fungal skin infection to rabies, a deadly viral disease.
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca
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