Pets need annual physicals, too
How do you know if your pet is feeling well? As humans, most of us tend to complain about even the smallest problem and seek out medical attention early.
But pets are generally stoic, quietly enduring pain and discomfort, while we, the human owners, often write off their behaviour to old age, weight gain or laziness.
Behavioural changes can be the earliest signs of a slowly progressive disease. Subtle things can be very important, such as a slight change in appetite or thirst, gradually needing more sleep, weight loss along the muscles of the back, or a diminished tolerance for exercise (very difficult to judge in cats). If your dog starts to pant excessively at the end of your regular 15-minute walk, this is a sign there is a problem: the start of exercise intolerance. This is a symptom of something occurring deeper in your pet’s body. This can be surprising, as — more often than not — it is usually us owners who have the exercise intolerance.
As well as observing for behaviour or physical changes at home, taking your pet into your veterinarian for an examination on a regular basis helps identify problems early.
Regular exams allow time for your veterinarian to become familiar with your pet and establish a normal baseline of physical findings.
If your pet does get ill, your veterinarian will recognize the early subtle changes and know which ones are important to pay attention to. Before, during and after the physical exam your veterinarian will take a “history” of your pet, asking many questions pertaining to your pet’s lifestyle and habits.
During the exam, your veterinarian will systematically examine all your pet’s different body systems, such as integument (skin), sight, cardiovascular (heart and vessels), lymphatics (lymph nodes and spleen) and many others. Much can be found by listening to the heart and chest, and from “palpating” (gently massaging and feeling) your pet’s abdomen or belly. You can also ask your veterinarian questions as the exam proceeds, as this helps discover the problems that may be affecting your pet.
Along with the exam, your veterinarian may recommend a blood profile, urinalysis and fecal test for parasites. There are hundreds of tests available so your veterinarian will select the best profile to fit the problems you are describing. There is great benefit in performing a wellness profile — one which is designed to look closer at a healthy pet’s body systems. Getting values on organ function and blood cell counts when your pet is healthy will allow early changes to be more readily apparent.
From the findings on the physical exam your veterinarian may also recommend X-rays, ultrasound or electrocardiogram. Dental cleanings are often encouraged after a pet reaches a few years of age. Costs, of course, always are a factor so your veterinarian will attempt to select the most relevant diagnostic tests to perform.
How frequently should you take your pet to your veterinarian for a health exam? Pets have much shorter lives and faster metabolisms, so a yearly exam for your pet is like a human having a physical once every seven or eight years. A lot can happen to your pet during this time, so annual exams are considered to be the gold star standard, and are highly recommended.
At exam time, your veterinarian will also recommend the necessary vaccines to fit your pet’s lifestyle. There are many vaccines to prevent disease. The more access your pet has to the outdoors, the more vaccines are recommended to keep your pet healthy and diseases at bay. The frequency of vaccination is also determined by risk.
Keeping your pet healthy also means keeping those dreaded parasites off and out of your pet. There are several topical and orally administered products that prevent parasites from invading your pet and causing disease. You should discuss the options yearly with your veterinarian so the right product can be chosen.
A healthy pet is part of a healthy family and healthy lifestyle. Preventing disease and discomfort in your pet also helps to keep the humans smiling and healthy. Remember to report any early changes in your pet to your veterinarian as soon as possible, and to have yearly checkups. As always, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and leads to longer, happier lives for our pets. Ron Mergl is a veterinarian with a practice in Niagara Falls.