Why Pet Wellness Care Should be a Priority
How do you know if your pet is healthy? Ask most owners, and they will say it’s because their pet “seems fine.” Instead of prevention-based care, this assumption means a disease or condition has progressed before a pet has even been examined.
The problem with this approach is evident – without consistent wellness exams, many illnesses or conditions cannot be diagnosed or prevented. Since we want to extend the life of every pet, let’s explore why pet wellness care should be the focal point of health and wellbeing.
Five Reasons Pet Wellness Care Matters
- Wellness care means early detection and disease prevention. Your pet’s annual wellness exam is a thorough nose-to-tail assessment, including the heart, lungs, and other internal organs. We inspect your pet’s teeth, eyes, ears, and throat. We may also include a blood chemistry panel and urinalysis/fecal screening to reveal any changes that would otherwise go undetected by the naked eye. These findings are important to prevent common conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and periodontal disease.
- Wellness care focuses on diet and weight management. More than half of U.S. pets over the age of 3 are either overweight or obese. Part of the problem is that many owners simply do not notice the weight gain. However, these gradual pounds can negatively impact longevity and can lead to many secondary diseases. Consistent wellness exams help you manage your pet’s weight, and we can recommend the most nutritious diet based on age, breed, size, and lifestyle.
- Prevention is less expensive than treatment. Skipping an exam may inadvertently set you and your pet up for complicated, expensive treatments down the road. As the old adage goes: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Maintaining annual exams are better for both your pet’s health and your pocketbook.
- Preventive care helps your pet age gracefully. As your pet grows older, the chance of developing certain illnesses increases exponentially. Conditions such as arthritis affect nearly 65 percent of dogs age 7 and older, and 61 percent of cats age 6 and up. Many senior pets also experience changes in hearing and vision. To enhance your friend’s quality of life, wellness care takes a holistic approach to optimal aging and lifestyle maintenance.
- Wellness exams help you better understand and bond with your pet. One of the most wonderful and often overlooked benefits of annual wellness care is the relationship it fosters among you, your pet, and your veterinary team. This relationship encourages owners to make better choices for their pets, and the more empowered you feel, the better we can work together to provide preventive-based health care for your pet.
Keep your pet’s health a priority in 2016, and schedule a wellness exam today. Don’t forget to ask the team at Hallsville Veterinary Hospital about the wellness care available for all types of pets.
We look forward to partnering with you to keep your lovable animal companion as healthy and energetic as possible, giving you “More Good Years Together.”