There are certain stages of an animal’s life that require veterinary care such as providing
vaccines, spaying or neutering, dental checks, parasite tests, and general physical
examinations. During routine visits, a veterinarian will check:
• Eyes – Vision checks are done to ensure proper drainage and no signs of cataracts
or glaucoma.
• Ears – If left untreated, infections in the ear can cause major pain and discomfort to
your pet. Vets check for redness, infection, and evidence of ear mites to prevent and/
or treat ear problems.
• Mouth – Since pets don’t have the luxury of daily brushing, it’s important to keep
the gums and teeth of your pet clean and healthy. Gingivitis and periodontal disease,
among the most common diseases in pets, can quickly lead to having to remove teeth.
• Skin – Parasites can often go undetected on our pets, leading to disease. Your vet
will check for fleas, ticks, mites, or allergic reactions on their skin.
• Joints – Even young pets can show signs of early diseases. Allowing your vet to
check joints to ensure proper mobility is important to your pet’s health and
well-being.
• Weight – It’s becoming more common for
pets to be overweight, causing increased risk of
medical conditions including arthritis.
Veterinary practices are also moving toward more
advanced ways to treat your pets including high-
tech medical therapies, prescription medications,
stem cell therapy, and preventive care treatments.
With these advanced technologies there has
been a growth in pet insurance to help offset the
costs of caring for our beloved pets. No matter
whether you’re caring for your brand-new kitten or
15-year-old beagle, you want to be sure your pet’s
life is as long and happy and healthy as possible. ■
if
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