October is Pet Wellness Month! Pets bring lots of love and laughter to our lives, and they really deserve to be happy, healthy, and safe at all times. Wellness care is important to all three! A local Tampa, FL vet offers some insight into the key facets of pet wellness in this article.
Preventative Care
Quite a few things fall under the blanket of preventative care. Keeping up with Fluffy’s vaccines can protect her from a slew of dangerous diseases, including rabies and feline leukemia, or Felv. Parasite control is also crucial. Fleas, ticks, and heartworms are much more than just nuisances: they can make cats very, very sick, and can even be deadly.
Routine Exams
Pets are susceptible to a whole slew of potential illnesses and injuries, many of which are asymptomatic as first. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a huge difference, and can greatly increase the odds of a successful treatment outcome. Bringing your pet in regularly for screenings and exams! It’s always best when an issue can be treated early on.
Close Monitoring
Fido and Fluffy can’t tell you if something is wrong, so it’s important to watch for signs that something is off. Some things to watch for include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, stiffness or limping, withdrawal, crankiness, and lack of interest in play. Fido may pace, whimper, or chew himself, while Fluffy may withdraw and give up on grooming herself. Call us immediately if you notice anything unusual.
Safety Precautions
As the saying says, an ounce of prevention can lead to several pounds of cure. When it comes to pets, that may be closer to several tons! Keeping up with basic precautions can prevent accidents and injuries. Petproofing will go a long way here. We’d also recommend keeping Fluffy inside, and keeping Fido on a leash whenever you take him off your property. Petproofing is also critical. Accidents can happen in just seconds!
Spay/Neuter Surgery
Getting your furry friend fixed also plays a role in their overall health. This is primarily done to prevent unwanted litters, but there are many other benefits. Fido and Fluffy will be calmer and better behaved after the operation, as they won’t be susceptible to the hormonal urges that would drive them to go looking for love. If your four-legged pal hasn’t had this procedure yet, get it scheduled ASAP.
Do you have questions about your cat’s health or care? Contact us, your Tampa, FL animal clinic, today!
