Susan Baker of Lake Worth Beach with her 14-year-old poodles, Cubby and Lido. Photo provided
By Arden Moore
Susan Baker recalls her decision to adopt a pair of young poodle brothers from a rescue group as if it was yesterday. Lido and Cubby are now 14, happy and healthy with Baker, of Lake Worth Beach, crediting regular wellness veterinary exams for her duo’s longevity.
“Following my veterinarian’s recommendation, I now book senior wellness exams for them twice a year,” Baker says. “I also now pay closer attention to their eating habits, their bowel habits and their sleeping habits, and report any changes to my veterinarian. I have their teeth cleaned and walk them twice a day. I am so grateful that both are healthy and now 14.”
I must confess. I let several years lapse before I recently underwent a full physical exam by my physician, but like Baker, I make sure all my cats and dogs receive wellness exams on a regular basis.
And so should you. In fact, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association have teamed up to outline preventive health care guidelines for cats and dogs. Locally, several veterinary clinics have expanded their traditional offerings of core care — vaccinations, flea and tick protection and treatment of injuries or diseases — to spotlight preventive and wellness care for companion animals of all ages.
Let me cite some examples:
At Dr. Q’s Pet Vet clinic in Delray Beach, Dr. Kristin Quisenberry and her staff regard preventive care for young and healthy pets as one of their specialties. The goal is to catch any diseases in early stages to prevent serious illness and extend longevity in pets. (https://drqspet.vet)
At the Colonial Animal Hospital in Boynton Beach, Dr. Rob Martin and his team highly recommend that pets of all ages receive annual wellness exams that include diagnostic lab tests, dental evaluation, nutritional guidance and more. (https://colonialanimalhospital.com)
At the West Palm Animal Clinic, Dr. Michelle Durkee and her staff offer breed-specific wellness programs for pets. On the website, they proclaim, “We know that your pet is unique and so is its breed. A golden retriever is not a Yorkshire terrier and a Siamese cat is not a Florida coon cat.” (www.westpalmanimal.com)
VCA Simmons Animal Hospital in Greenacres offers senior wellness services, recognizing that pets age faster than we do. It also conducts new kitten and puppy prevention care, weight management programs and more. (www.vcahospitals.com/simmons)
Depending on the veterinary clinic, your pet may be evaluated for what’s known as a body conditioning score to determine if he is under, over or at a healthy weight for his breed. Sadly, nearly half of all cats and dogs in the United States are overweight or obese, according to surveys conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, headed by Dr. Ernie Ward. (https://petobesityprevention.org)
Excess weight can put pets more at risk for arthritis, heart conditions, chronic inflammation and even shortened lives. Although there are no so-called weight loss centers for animals, you can help your chubby pet by teaming with your veterinarian to create a specific diet/feeding/exercise plan to help him slim down in a safe, steady manner.
Age plays a key role in the frequency of these wellness exams. Puppies and kittens under age 1 need regular visits for necessary vaccinations and to monitor their growth. Dogs and cats between 1 and 6 generally just need annual wellness appointments if they do not display any medical issues. But when pets reach their senior years, veterinarians recommend booking wellness appointments every six months.
“Age is not a disease for pets,” says Ward. “It is essential for senior pets to engage in aerobic activity daily. Bodies are designed to move. Work with your veterinarian on pacing your pet’s activities.”
Show your gratitude for your pet’s unwavering devotion by getting into the habit of conducting weekly head-to-tail assessments at home.
I encourage students in my pet first aid and pet behavior classes to conduct these checks one-on-one in a room without any distraction.
By spending just 10 minutes once a week, you may find a hot spot on your pet’s thick coat. Or the ears may smell like dirty socks, possibly indicating an ear infection. Or you may notice that the coat is shedding more than normal or is oily.
Keep in mind that the skin is your pet’s largest organ and any signs of skin issues may be tied to an organ or body system that is not performing at its healthy level.
During a recent weekly at-home health check, I noticed wobbling front teeth in Kona, my terrier mix. My veterinarian surgically removed these teeth and performed a dental cleaning to remove built-up tartar on Kona’s back molars. She is back to flashing her happy — and healthy — smile.
These at-home checks reap other dividends: You are strengthening your bond with your pet and are conditioning your pet to accept being handled. That makes for less stress during a veterinary exam, a session with a pet groomer and pet care provided by professional pet sitters or pet boarding staffs.
I call that a win-win for pets and us.
Arden Moore is a best-selling author, professional speaker and master certified pet first-aid instructor. She hosts a weekly syndicated radio show, Arden Moore’s Four Legged Life (www.fourleggedlife.com), and the Oh Behave! podcast on Pet Life Radio.com. Learn more by visiting www.ardenmoore.com.
Comments