Twice Yearly Exams

Keywords:
Exam, lab, senior, new, adopt, medication, preventive, sick, immune, changes, test, health, x-ray

Twice Yearly Exams

Twice Yearly Exams

It is one of my exam room mantras -- "all pets, especially seniors, need twice yearly examinations and yearly blood and urine testing. "I am glad I actually listened to myself.

Though my cat, Zachary, appeared to be perfectly fit, on his 16th birthday, I popped him into his carrier and brought him with me to work for his twice yearly exam. I am sure he thought this birthday present was as exciting as receiving a gift of underwear. I was surprised to discover that even though his lab tests a year earlier were absolutely normal, they weren't now. His test indicated that his kidneys were weakening and he had evidence of an overactive thyroid. By diagnosing these conditions early, I was able to monitor his lab values, modify his diet, and medicate him resulting in extending his good quality of life until 19 years old.

Pet owners are often skeptical when I discuss the need for twice yearly examinations. As a rule, people don't visit their own doctors unless they're ill. Veterinarians as a whole, practice preventative medicine. We want to prevent your pet from becoming ill and when we are able to diagnose a problem early they are usually easier and less expensive to treat and typically have a more favorable outcome.

Pets age more rapidly than you and I. As our bodies mature, things start to wear out. Internal organs and our immune systems weaken. The incidence of cancer ramps up. Even our ability to move around with ease becomes compromised. By having your pet visit your veterinarian at least every 6 months for a wellness exam, you and your veterinarian, working as a team can help to insure that your pet ages successfully.

You are a critical member of this team approach. You know your pet better than anyone else. Keep a wellness diary and make note of changes in - appetite, attitude, and body weight. Record any odor from the ears or mouth, jot down differences in water intake, bowel patterns, vision or ability to hear. Though these changes may be small, subtle can be significant.

Bring your diary with you to the wellness exams. This information is part of the history portion of the visit. Depending on the history and the physical examination, your veterinarian may recommend diagnostics such as blood and urine testing, an electrocardiogram to determine the heart's health, x-rays or possibly an ultrasound study. Together, the history, physical examination and diagnostics give your pet's doctor the most accurate assessment of your dog or cat's quality of life.

  Go back

Daily Pet News


Take caution when choosing a weight loss food for your fat cat
I’ve said before and I’ll say it again… An animal that is not overweight will live 30% longer than an overweight animal. So if you have a fat cat, do it a favor and put it on a diet. But before you do, know that 50% of weight control cat foods cannot do what they claim to do. The report from the American Veterinary Medical Association suggests that the best way to help your pet is to design a weight loss program with the help of your veterinarian.

Does the thunder roll your dog into a cold dark corner?
If your dog is like mine, then he crawls under the covers or into a cold dark space when the thunder rolls. Experts say the best way to battle these fears is with love and treats. The fear of loud booming noises usually develops as a puppy and can worsen with age. However, positive reinforcement such as petting your dog or offering a treat can help to rewire the circuit. That is, they will now associate the thunder with pleasant events, rather than fear of injury. Between storms, playing loud sounds and using positive reinforcement, can help to desensitize your pet to the real thing. If things do not improve, you can ask your veterinarian about anti-anxiety drugs.

Some foods that are toxic to dogs
Some foods that are considered healthy or harmless to humans can be toxic to dogs. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends keeping these items away from your dogs… Alcohol, caffeine, garlic, onions, avocado, and chewing gum. It is also advisable to limit intake of salt and sugar.

Babies can read facial expressions in dogs
A study at Brigham Young University has concluded that human babies as young as six months can tell the difference between an angry growl and a friendly bark. The study included showing two different pictures of the same dog to the infants, all of which lived with dogs. One picture was an angry looking dog with a scowl. The other was a playful looking dog with a nice smile. When playing a recording of a growling dog, the subjects tended to stare at the picture of the angry dog. When playing audio of a playful bark, the infants then focused on the happy looking dog. A BYU professor said that emotion is one of the first things babies can pick up on in their social world. Pets, in turn, are also very aware of emotions of their surroundings.

Rabies enters Colorado neighborhoods
Rabies cases in Colorado are increasing and moving from rural to urban areas. Rabies is a deadly disease and is transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. It is most common amongst raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. The number of cases has nearly doubled compared to last year. Rabies is a major concern to all species including humans, especially if it spreads to domestic animals. Keeping your pets up to date on rabies vaccinations provides the best protection against the deadly virus.

Foxtail can pose a serious threat to your dog.
Cheatgrass or foxtail weeds can pose a danger to your dog. As they dry out, the weeds become sharp, like arrowheads, and can penetrate deep into a dog’s skin. If they are stuck, they can form serious infections. Either way, they cause severe pain. Foxtail weeds have been known to penetrate into blood vessels and even into the spinal cord when a dog rolls in them. Most commonly, the weeds are stepped on and thus penetrate deep into the pads of the feet. It is a good idea to always check your dog for foreign bodies after every walk or adventure into potentially dangerous areas.

Pets need blood transfusions too
Like humans, certain medical conditions in our pets may require blood transfusions. A healthy pet can safely donate several times per year to a local blood bank. In some programs such as the one offered at LSU, a pet who donates enough blood can qualify to receive blood for free, if needed. If you are interested in having your pet donate blood, check with your veterinarian for a location near you.

Further research is necessary to find out why cats are dying
Feline infectious peritonitis is one of the most devastating and least understood infectious diseases that affect cats. The disease is caused by a virus in the coronavirus family. However, while some cats develop the fatal disease, it is unknown why others don’t. There is no cure and treatment for the disease only helps to make the animal more comfortable. The virus is transmitted through fecal contact and can actually be inhaled. There is a vaccination for the virus, but it is often given to a kitten after they have already been exposed. Research is being done to help protect our pets from this terrible disease.

Yogi Bear may have rabies?
Yellowstone County remains under a rabies quarantine. The quarantine means that dogs, cats, and other pets must be vaccinated against rabies at least two weeks before being moved outside the county. Yellowstone has been under eight quarantines in the past two and half years. Montana’s state veterinarian says that this is the time of year that pet owners need to be vigilant and take extra precautions.

Tips on getting Marmaduke off your favorite couch
Does your dog like to relax on your favorite couch when you are not home? Here are a few tips. Number one, make sure you train your dog when you are home. He needs to understand that this is not acceptable. Always be consistent. Number two, while you are training, don’t allow your pet access to your furniture if you are not there to stop the behavior immediately. Number three, if you have trouble, there are products that can be sprayed on your furniture that are safe to both your pet and your furniture. These sprays produce an odor that repels your pet. Other products will vibrate or produce a loud noise if your pet comes in contact with the furniture. Always check with your veterinarian before using any products around your pets.