Physical Exams Dog

Keywords:
check up, changes, aging, prevention, treatment, dental, overweight, physical, exam, test, supplements, senior

Physical Exams Dog

Physical Exams Dog

We all know how important regular checkups are for us as we age, well, this is no different for our dogs. As a matter of fact, when you consider how much faster our dogs age, these checkups are even more critical and should be even more frequent. A pet's body goes through many changes as he or she ages, and many of their systems can begin to breakdown as well. We can be much more effective in helping them deal with these changes if we catch them early on. It's often much easier to prevent the big problems than it is to treat them.

A very important component of a senior physical exam is to get a thorough history. How's your old timer been doing lately? How have his or her appetite, activity, or bathroom habits been? Have there been any changes or have you had any concerns?

Part of this complete physical is to evaluate the mouth to make sure the teeth and gums are in good shape and that dental work isn't necessary. We'll also want to check for signs of possible arthritis or changes along the spine. Make sure to keep your senior pets lean since overweight senior pets don't do nearly as well as the lean ones!

To help answer these questions and to determine what kind of shape your senior pet is in, we perform what we like to call our complete senior physical exam. We'll take some blood and urine for evaluation, take some x-rays to check out his chest, abdomen, spine and joints, do an ecg screen and check out his mouth, eyes, ears, lymph nodes, and his skin and coat as well. These tests and procedures are non-invasive, and can be done in just a few hours.

What's even better is that most of the results will be ready the same day, while some of the lab work may take a few days.

Once we have an idea of how your dog's insides look, we may suggest some modifications in diet and exercise schedule, and may even recommend some supplements to help him age even more gracefully and to relieve some of his muscle and joint aches and pains.

If your pet is approaching his or her "golden years," there's a lot you can do to keep them comfortable for many years to come. Remember, age is not a disease-it's just a natural process which we need to deal with and plan for.

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Daily Pet News


A new device makes it easier to monitor diabetes in your pet
It is quite common for a dog to have diabetes. It is also quite stressful for both pet and owner when it comes time to check its blood sugar level. Until recently, that consisted of a blood draw to be performed daily, if not more. But things are looking up. A new device can monitor your pet's blood sugar every five minutes and is much easier to use. The device is implanted under the skin of the dog and automatically records the data. The data can then be used by your veterinarian to adjust insulin dosage.

Flying is more dangerous for flat faced dogs.
There are airlines today that are making it easier to fly with your pets. In fact, there are airlines that are specifically designed to carry just pets. Even so, it is important to take the proper precautions before sending your companion to infinity and beyond. If you have a flat faced dog such as a Bulldog or Pug, be extra cautious. They are more likely to die on airplanes than other dogs due to the shape of their heads and size of their airways. All pets, but especially short-nosed dogs should undergo a thorough examination prior to any flight.

Cheap surgeries could cost you
Opting for a cheap surgery on your pet can cost you. Two different veterinarians may offer the same procedure for vastly different prices. But price should not be the major factor in your decision of whom to choose. When choosing a surgeon, take into consideration the experience of the veterinarian as well as success rates for the procedure to be performed. Far too many inexperienced surgeons are performing surgeries that do not fix the problem and could make the situation worse. What you are left with is one bad surgery, followed by one or two additional ones. On top of that, you have now spent as much or more than you would have spent on the good doctor. Now try to explain to Fluffy, what just happened.

Fly by night dog trainers: Don’t believe the hype
The dog obedience techniques that are used by professional trainers and behaviorists have been quite effective over the years. More recently, some people have made a living with newer techniques that are more militant and based on the Alpha Dog concept. These people have assumed that there is one pack leader and have tried to dominate their trainees by assuming the role of the so called alpha dog. But science disagrees with the newer experimental methods. The concept of the alpha dog was found to be invalid in research studies. Thus, the training method that is based on the assumption is incorrect as well. When it comes to training your dog, trust the professionals with long track records of success.

An American Kennel Club dog is mistakenly released to the wild
A dog that is registered with the American Kennel Club was released to the wild after being mistaken for a coyote. The dog had to be removed by police from a Kentucky shelter after shelter workers said they could not keep the coyote. After releasing the dog to the wild, the owner eventually tracked down the location that her dog had been released, but is still searching for her dog. In cases like this, it is of utmost importance to have your dog properly identified. A simple collar would have let rescuers know immediately that this was a pet.

Pets need health insurance too.
Pet insurance is still trying to take off in popularity and it is beginning to make headway. Although only about 1% of pet owners carry health insurance for their pets, the numbers are growing. Veterinarians will tell you that pet insurance is an excellent choice for those that want to keep their pets healthy. The difficulty lies in selecting the right company and the right coverage. Do your research and understand the policy you are purchasing.

Europe requires animal IDs
Animal I.D. laws in Europe are driving the up their demand. Legislation is now requiring all sheep born in the UK this year to have I.D.s. The purpose of identifying the livestock is to better track and prevent diseases. I.D.s and microchips also serve a great purpose in reuniting lost pets with their owners.

Cats succumb to mysterious disease
A mysterious illness recently infected cats in Adams County, Colorado. At the initial onset, symptoms appeared to be similar to an upper respiratory infection. But within 24 hours, runny nose turned to spots and ulcers on the tongue as well as swelling in the mouth. Veterinarians say the illness could be caused by the Calicicivirus (ca-lee-see-virus) or it could be a toxin. The virus is known to cause a loss of appetite due to pain, which could lead to dehydration and eventual death. Most household cats are vaccinated against the virus. If your cat does exhibit symptoms, treatment is necessary to control the effects of the illness.

Heart disease affects up to 60% of dogs and you can help prevent it.
Although it is thought to be associated with humans, up to 60% of aging dogs suffer from heart disease. Veterinary cardiologists say the best way for pet owners to protect their dogs is to have them examined twice a year. Early detection and early treatment can help dog’s live long and healthy lives. Dog owners should know the most common symptoms associated with heart disease. They include difficulty breathing, coughing, loss of appetite and fatigue.

Your pet may need a change of its surroundings
Researchers in Boulder, Colorado found that lab mice are affected by their cages. A small variation in cages or living environment can cause mental as well as physical changes in lab mice. The changes can cause different results of the same study if performed it different environments. Consider pets to be the same. If in the right environments, your pets can be happy and healthy.