Why Your Pet Needs Regular Veterinary Care

You know that a veterinarian provides essential care and services when pets are sick or injured. But if that's the only time your pet is visiting a veterinary doctor, then they're not truly receiving the care that they need. Just like humans are supposed to visit their doctors for an annual checkup, pets should receive regular veterinary care as well. Here's why your pet should be getting a yearly checkup from their vet, especially to prepare your pet for spring when seasonal changes and potential health concerns may arise.

Vaccines

Pets have regular vaccines that they need to receive in order to stay healthy. While many vaccines can last a lifetime for animals, some require a booster shot every few years. If you're not taking your pet in to receive these, you could be putting their health at risk. And, in some cases, you may be breaking laws that require your pet to be fully vaccinated.

Heartworm

Heartworm is a parasitic worm that can be transferred to animals through a mosquito bite and spreads easily from one animal to another. If heartworm is not caught early enough, it can be fatal for the animal. However, if your pet is receiving annual checkups, it is much more likely that the infection will be caught in time for treatment. It is also completely preventable through regular medications, which your veterinarian can prescribe.

Dental Care

You go to the dentist twice a year, so why wouldn't your pet need regular dental care as well? While they don't need to go every six months, your pet's teeth do need to be inspected every year to check for any dental diseases or excessive plaque. Depending on your pet's needs, your pet may recommend that you have your pet's teeth professionally cleaned every year as well, or they may be satisfied with a cleaning every two years.

Either way, this care is essential to prevent serious dental diseases that can cause your pet discomfort during play, pain while eating, and can even lead to fatal heart disease.

General Exam

You might believe that you would quickly and easily notice a change in your pet's behavior that could indicate a serious health problem. But most animals will attempt to hide any pain or discomfort they're experiencing as a matter of instinct; the primitive parts of their mind tell them that weakness or injury makes them a target to other animals, and so they try to keep it concealed. This can make it hard for pet owners to notice when their pet is ill or injured.

At an annual checkup, your vet will perform a thorough examination to check for potential health problems in your pet. This helps to ensure that any issues are caught early on so that they are more likely to be treatable, and so that your pet does not have to endure any pain or discomfort they're experiencing for longer than necessary.

If your pet needs their annual checkup, contact Forever Pets Animal Hospital today and inquire about our veterinary services in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. We'll give your pet the care they need so that they can live a long and happy life by your side. We have 8 convenient locations with extended hours. Call today. Serving Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Orlando, Nocatee, St. Johns, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and more.