Routine examinations for dogs and cats
The beginning of each year is a good time to take the pets to the vet for
routine examinations. Preventing pets from developing certain diseases may
be difficult for many people, but they can do that, or even detect any
abnormalities, by taking their pets for vet examination. Yes, pets do need
complete check-ups so that their owners get a baseline of their health. Even
though medical examinations are very important, lots of pet owners do not
know which ones are essential for their dogs and cats. Some specific exams,
for example, must be performed frequently, and can help to answer some
questions. Here are the main examinations and the reasons to have them.
Check-up
The routine check-up is one of the most important examinations, as it is able to
point out any issues in the body of the pet. It is performed in the veterinarian’s
office. The pet is physical examined, and the vet is able to
discard the
possibility of several diseases through that. Lumps, signs of cancer, skin
blemishes and even simple bruises can be seen. Therefore, the animal must
be taken to the vet regularly.
Blood test
This test is important to investigate what is happening in the pet’s body. It is
usually requested once a year in order to prevent diseases and track health
conditions, such as high cholesterol or tick-borne diseases. If a pet does not
show clear signs of being sick, some conditions may be identified through this
examination.
Urinalysis and fecal exam
The fecal exam helps a lot the identification of worms and a lack of essential
nutrients for pets. Urinalysis also helps to identify kidney problems and urinary
tract infections.
Eye exam
Just like the regular visits to the veterinarian, some specific examinations are
important once pets get to a certain age to ensure their eyes health. If there
aren’t any serious conditions, the check-up may involve only a focal light
source to examine your pet’s eyes. If necessary, your pet’s veterinarian can
indicate a specialist for further examination, in case of a more serious problem.
Oral exam
Oral exams should also be repeated periodically, especially after the pet gets
to a certain age. Senior dogs tend to have worn teeth, cavities, tartar and tooth
loss due to lack of calcium. These problems may even indicate malnutrition or
complications in the pet’s stomach, considering that chewing is the beginning
of digestion. If the pet does not chew food properly, it may have health
problems in the long run.
Tartar can also be the
root cause of
several
secondary diseases,
which can be avoided if the tartar plaque is removed, so
this exam is very important to our furry friends.
Rectal exam
This exam, which is performed in the anal region, can be quite uncomfortable
for the animal, but it is important. Mostly if the pet has pain or difficulty
eliminating, this exam can help with diagnosis and treatment. Tumors in the
anal region are common in elderly animals, and through this exam the vet is
able to
detect some conditions early and start the treatment as soon as
possible.
These are some basic exams which will help prevent
numerous common
diseases in dogs and cats, so regular visits to the vet are essential. Prevention
is the best option, because it improves the quality of life of pets and their
owners. Talk to a veterinarian you trust about these examinations, and perform
them annually.
Paulo Henrique Andriello Halas
Veterinarian graduated from the Universidade Metodista de São Paulo in 2003
Senior Salesperson for Nutrire Indústria de Alimentos Ltd.