Your four-legged friend relies on you for food, shelter, and love, but they also need regular health care to remain happy and healthy. One of the most effective ways to safeguard your pet’s health is through regular wellness care. 

Our Companion Care Animal Clinic team explores the significance of regular wellness care for your pet and how it can help prevent a range of diseases so your furry pal can be by your side for years to come.

#1: Heartworm disease and your pet

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms that live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of affected mammals. Dogs and wild canines are the preferred hosts of heartworms, but cats can also be infected via the bite of an infected mosquito.

If your dog becomes infected with heartworms, treatment is challenging and expensive. If your cat becomes infected, there is no definitive treatment, only measures to treat health issues that arise. Prevention is key to avoiding the permanent vascular scarring, potential organ damage, and life-threatening complications associated with this disease.

Preventive medications, typically given monthly, are highly effective at protecting pets from heartworm infection. These medications kill the immature larvae before they can grow into adult worms, which makes year-round prevention critical for keeping your pet safe.

#2: External parasites and your pet

Fleas and ticks are external parasites that feed on the blood of pets, causing irritation, allergic reactions, and various diseases. Left uncontrolled, fleas can overrun pets and homes rapidly, creating a widespread infestation that can be challenging to eliminate. Ticks, if not removed promptly, can transmit a multitude of illnesses, like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis, which can have lifelong effects. Not only can fleas and ticks cause serious harm to your four-legged friend, but they can also transmit diseases to you and your family.

Regular use of flea and tick preventives, including topical treatments and oral medications, is essential for keeping pets free from these parasites. Environmental control measures may also be necessary to prevent reinfestation.

#3: Dental disease and your pet

Dental disease is one of the most common health problems in pets and is characterized by plaque and tartar accumulation, gingivitis, and periodontal problems. Left untreated, dental issues can lead to pain, infection, and tooth loss. Dental disease not only affects your pet’s mouth, but it can also affect their overall health, leading to systemic infections and contributing to conditions such as heart disease and kidney disease. Prevention is key to preserving your pet’s quality of life.

Regular dental care that includes brushing your pet’s teeth, providing dental chews, and scheduling professional cleanings with your Companion Care Animal Clinic team is crucial for preventing dental disease and maintaining oral health.

#4: Infectious diseases and your pet

Vaccinating your pet to protect them from rabies is incredibly important because of the disease’s potential for transmission among animals and people. At the same time, many other infectious diseases can also be prevented through vaccination. These diseases can spread rapidly and have serious consequences for pets, livestock, wildlife, and people alike. 

Our veterinarian can recommend a vaccination schedule tailored to your pet’s age, lifestyle, and risk factors.

#5: Obesity and your pet

More than half of the feline and canine populations in the United States are classified as overweight or obese. These extra pounds can affect your pet’s health and longevity, contributing to a multitude of conditions like arthritis, skin and urinary tract infections, respiratory issues, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. 

Feeding your pet a healthy diet, providing regular exercise, and monitoring their weight are essential for preventing obesity. We can offer dietary recommendations and weight management strategies specific to your four-legged friend’s needs to ensure they maintain a healthy body condition.

#6: Intestinal parasites and your pet 

Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms can infect pets through contaminated food, water, soil, or exposure to infected animals. If your pet becomes infected, they can suffer from gastrointestinal issues, difficulty in absorbing nutrients, anemia, and, in severe cases, life-threatening complications. Regular fecal examinations and deworming treatments, along with good hygiene practices, are essential for preventing and controlling intestinal parasites in pets.

Make your pet’s well-being a priority and give them the gift of a happy, healthy life by scheduling regular wellness care with our Companion Care Animal Clinic team. Give us a call to set up your four-legged friend’s next preventive care visit.