Veterinarians are highly trained and highly skilled professionals that take care of animals. Much like human doctors, they need to have a working knowledge of anatomy, microbiology, chemistry, and more to be able to care for and treat animals. And when it comes to veterinary care, there are some things your veterinarian wishes you knew about their work and about caring for your animals. Get to know some of these things so that you can become a more informed pet owner and so that you can get your pet to the veterinarian at the right times and for the right type of care.
Pets Need Dental Care
Cats and dogs are animals that most people think of as fairly self-sufficient. However, they are not self-cleaning in many ways. Dental care is one of those areas that most people do not know much about when it comes to their pets. Dogs and cats need regular dental care to avoid tooth rot, gingivitis, and other dental problems. This means you should be looking at and even brushing your pet's teeth daily. It also means you need to get them in for regular dental assessments with a veterinarian.
In a dental assessment, veterinarians will inspect the teeth and gums. They may also run x-rays on the teeth and mouth to look at the structure of the teeth down to the root and jaw. If they determine your dog or cat needs a dental cleaning, the vet will help you schedule it as soon as possible. These cleanings are done using general anesthesia so that the pet remains calm and still during the cleaning.
An Overweight Pet Is Serious Business
When it comes to taking care of your pet, one of the most important things you can do for them is to watch their weight. Pets that are overweight can have a number of health issues including heart problems, joint damage and arthritis, diabetes, and more.
Taking care of your pet's weight is very important and a chubby pet, while cute, is a serious issue. Be sure to get in to your veterinarian for regular check-ups with your pet. They will weigh your pet each time and let you know if they are within a healthy weight range. If your pet is overweight, the veterinarian will help you to determine how much food your pet should be getting each day and how to help them lose the weight. Changing food may be an option, for example.
Now that you know a few of the things your veterinarian wishes you knew, you can be sure that you get in for regular appointments with your vet to keep your pet as healthy as possible. For more information, reach out to the staff at a vet clinic like Johnstown Veterinary Associates.
