Why Are Routine Pet Visits So Important?

Do you take your pet to the vet regularly? Most pet owners take their pets to the veterinarian only when they are sick or act strangely. However, pets are just like humans and need frequent health checkups to ensure everything is fine and that no medical help is required. Regular and annual checkups help catch certain diseases early and prevent serious health issues in the future. Here are the main reasons why you should schedule a visit to the vet for your pet:

Reasons To Take Your Pet to The Veterinarian

Consider bringing your pet to the vet for the following reasons:

• Vaccines. Both kittens and puppies need certain vaccines and appropriate boosters to be protected from certain deadly contagious diseases. There are certain vaccines that need to be bolstered every year because the immunity in bacterial vaccines does not last too long. Older pets also need annual boosters that protect them from Lyme disease infections, Lepto infections, and Bordetella (Kennel Cough) infections.
• Dental care. Just like human teeth, your pets’ teeth also need regular professional cleaning. Even if you clean the teeth of your cat or dog twice a day, there are certain things that only a veterinarian can do, including prophylactic cleaning. Therefore, once your canine or feline turns one year, they need annual dental checkups. Certain small dog breeds need cleaning even more often – two or three times a year. If your pet’s teeth are not cleaned regularly by the veterinarian, they are at risk of developing tooth abscesses, root infections, and bad breath. Moreover, there are harmful gum bacteria that can get into the bloodstream and cause dangerous heart murmurs,
• Heartworm prevention. Heartworms are considered the most preventable disease in dogs and cats. For this reason, your dog or cat should be on heartworm prevention year-round, including topical, oral, and injectable forms of prevention. Prevention should be started at six months in both puppies and kittens.
• Other health issues arise with age. The older your pet is, the more important regular vet checkups are. Senior pets are at risk of specific health problems, including arthritis, kidney disease, heart disease, cancer, and high blood pressure. The good news is that all these diseases can be prevented or successfully treated if caught early.

Pet Health Care & Wellness – Jacksonville Florida

Are you searching for “affordable vet services near me” in Jacksonville, FL, for your beloved pet? Then, do not look further than Orange Park Animal Hospital at Oakleaf. Our animal clinic provides high-quality, affordable veterinary care, including comprehensive care, vaccinations, parasite screening and deworming, screening for heartworm disease, and others. Our mission is to care for your pets and ensure they live a long and happy life. Feel free to check out our website or give us a call at (904) 560 8006 if you have any questions.