The Annual Vet Visit - A Vital Part of Pet Ownership

Most diligent pet owners will go to great lengths to ensure the safety of their beloved pet. Some shower their pets not only with love but with countless material goods. For some people, shopping for Fido is more important than shopping for themselves.

If the pet is injured or sick, these owners are willing to shell out thousands of dollars in order to save its life. But many people wait till serious damage control is in order before they take their animals to the vet. Although it may seem that an animal only needs to visit a vet if it is hurt or sick, nothing can be further from the case.

Dogs and cats should be brought into the vet at least once a year even if they are in the best of health in order to receive an annual check up. These check ups can be the key to avoiding future harm to your pet. They can also help you save great sums of money by catching potential physical problems facing your animals before it gets so bad that serious medical intervention is necessary.

What Happens During a Yearly Check Up

There are a number of routine procedures for the annual check up. There is generally a basic package with additional procedures that can be added on. Check ups involve:

o Health assessment-at this time your vet will perform a routine physical examination to check for any obvious signs of illness. You should bring up any questions or concerns you might have concerning the health of your pet at this time.

o Vaccinations-any vaccines that expire in a year will be given again. Certain vaccinations such as rabies are now often given only every two years. The amount of time between rabies vaccinations does vary between vets, however.

o Parasites-your pet will be checked for any infestation such as flea, tick or worm. The exam for worms in cats requires a very uncomfortable stool sample procedure. Be aware that your cat will be upset, but the procedure is fast and vital to your cat's continued health.

o Nutrition and Behavior-your vet will determine whether or not he or she believes that your animal is under or over-weight or at a normal weight. The vet may then suggest changes in diet or exercise accordingly.

For more information on the annual vet visit, visit the website of Austin Vet Clinics.

Joseph Devine