What to Expect At the Vet
Sometimes taking your pet to the veterinarian is as stressful for you as it is for your pet. Between wrestling a cat into its carrier and a dog into the car, you are already worn out before you even reach the veterinarian’s office. It is recommended that your pet see the doctor at least twice a year, so here at Ash Veterinary Clinic, we want to keep you informed on what to expect when your pet sees the doctor.
When you are in the exam room with a veterinarian and they are petting your animal, the doctor is actually doing part of the examination. By running their hands over the pet’s body, the doctor can feel any lumps or bumps, the condition of the pet’s coat and feel your pet’s muscle confirmation. They will look in your pet’s eyes, ears, nose and mouth. By doing a cursory exam of your pet’s mouth, the doctor will be able to see signs of tartar or gum disease. Our veterinarian will listen to your pet’s heart and lungs and palpate its abdomen for any abnormalities. At every visit, your pet is weighed so the doctor can evaluate the pet’s diet and let you know if there is a need for change.
Did you know that your pet could have both external and internal parasites? Our doctor checks every pet for evidence of fleas, ticks, mites and lice. Intestinal parasites are checked by an examination of your pet’s stool. Common parasites, like roundworms and hookworms, are contagious to humans. We recommend a stool check every 6 months to ensure that your pet and your family stay healthy. Heartworms are a parasite that can live in your pet’s blood and are transferred when a mosquito that is carrying heartworm disease bites your pet. Our technicians will draw your pet’s blood and send it out to the lab to make sure your pet is heartworm free. After this test is done, we can prescribe monthly heartworm prevention to make sure your pet stays healthy. We do recommend heartworm prevention year round and even to indoor pets. In Michigan, we know there is no such thing as an “outdoor only” mosquito!
By law, your dog must be vaccinated against rabies. In the state of Michigan, cats are not required by law to be vaccinated against rabies. Your individual city, however, may have a different policy. Of course, we highly recommend vaccinating against the disease for all pets, because rabies is potentially fatal. There are many additional vaccines available for both dogs and cats which are given to your pet to prevent illness. Whether your pet is indoor or outdoor, speak with your veterinarian to see which vaccine protocol will work best for your lifestyle.
Ask your veterinarian for the most effective ways to keep your pet healthy. This includes how to care for its teeth, how to protects its joints and how to care for your senior pet. If your pet has not been spayed or neutered, arrange to have one of these crucial surgeries done to prevent future problems with your pet and to help reduce the serious overpopulation problem we currently face. Remember to have your pets see your veterinarian at least twice a year for a happier, healthier pet!
