Preventive Pet Health Care in Coral Gables, FL

Most of us consider our pets to be treasured members of our families. We share mutual love and companionship. They entertain us with their antics, support us with their attentiveness. We fill their stockings during the holidays. But sometimes we forget that preventive pet health care throughout the year is the most important gift of all.

Annual checkups are important even for pets that appear full of vigor. Vaccinations prevent disease, and a physical exam can detect the start of health concerns while there is still time to prevent a serious problem. Consulting a veterinarian about preventive pet health care issues such as pet nutrition, behavior problems, flea, tick, and heartworm prevention can help your four footed friends stay happy and healthy throughout an extended lifespan.

Essential Pet Health Care Procedures for Preventing Problems

1. Stay Up to Date on Vaccinations

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) offers a list of dog diseases that can be prevented by vaccinations. Before these were developed, diseases like rabies, distemper, leptospirosis brought tragedy into the lives of canines and the people who loved them. Regular shots assure these diseases won't make a comeback. Pet WebMD shares thoughts on the vaccinations required by cats. Without pet vaccinations, they too are vulnerable to rabies and there are an assortment of ailments specific to their species, like feline leukemia, and rhinotracheitis.

 2. Prevent Intestinal and Circulatory System Parasites

City and country pets are equally at risk for parasites.

Performing tests on feces samples for various types of parasites that affect the intestines, like roundworms, hookworms and whipworms is an essential task that should be performed on a regular basis. Left unchecked, these parasites can cause symptoms ranging from malnutrition resulting in a state of poor health, to digestive upsets. If parasites are discovered

Both dogs and cats require specialized products to prevent heartworm, a dangerous parasite of the circulatory system, transmitted through mosquito bites. Dogs are particularly specialized hosts; an untreated case of heartworm can prove fatal to a pet. Even when treatment is rendered, it may not always be successful. But pets on preventive meds, administered as directed, are protected.

Bringing a stool sample to an annual checkup, or to a veterinarian's office anytime you suspect your pet may be suffering from worms, allows prompt diagnosis and treatment. Pets should be tested for heartworm if necessary, then prescribed a preventive product.

3. Control Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks can be more dangerous than you may think. Not only do they drive pets to distraction by causing severe itching, in some cases they can transmit illness or parasites. Severe flea infestation can cause anemia. Their bites can transmit cat scratch fever and even the bubonic plague (diseases that affect humans). And fleas can carry tapeworm larvae. When a pet chews his itchy skin and ingests the flea, the pet's small intestine can become infested with tapeworms, potentially triggering irritation, malnutrition.

Ticks don't just threaten pets. Humans are quite susceptible to Lyme Disease, a debilitating illness carried by ticks. Ticks can also carry Ehrlichia and anaplasmosis, two other ailments from which humans may suffer.

Flea and tick prevention has come a long way over the past few decades. Unless fleas have already become established, for the most part, pet owners now only have to think about prevention once per month. And remember, protecting your pet from parasites, fleas and ticks prevents related health concerns from affecting your family members also.

4. Have Routine Blood Work Performed Regularly

Blood tests can tell what's up with your pet's health, sometimes long before symptoms become apparent. What types of tests should be routinely performed? Heartworm, complete blood count, and blood chemistry tests that tell how various organs and systems are performing can be lifesaving.

5. Discuss Nutrition With Your Veterinarian

We are what we eat, so to speak, and that goes for pets. Each pet may require a different diet, depending upon breed, activity level, age, special health concerns. A veterinarian or staff member knows best what you should feed your pet to keep him happy, healthy, and at an appropriate level of weight.

Inquire about this factor next time you visit the veterinary office.

6. Learn How to Shape Your Pet's Behavior

Is your dog or cat behaving badly? That can happen, but there's usually a reason. Every pet owner should understand basic ways of understanding pets shaping pet behavior without resorting to raised voices and forceful methods.  Even if a problem seems small at present, consult your veterinarian or a professional trainer or behavior consultant he or she recommends.  And yes, though they are not considered as amenable as dogs, pet behavior principles work with cats too.

Asking for assistance saves many shaky pet/owner relationships.

Our Full List of Preventative Health Care Services:

1. Heartworm testing/prevention

2. Flea & Tick prevention and control

3. Intestinal parasite screening

4. Comprehensive physical exams

5. Pet Vaccinations for both canines and felines

6. FIV/FeLV testing for felines

7. Behavioral counseling

8. Pet Microchipping implantation and registration

9. Nail Trims

10. Anal Gland Expression

11. Ear Cleaning

12. Purina Prescription Diets

Gables Animal Clinic is located in Coral Gables, Florida. We provide a wide range of preventive pet health care techniques with the goal of enhancing all aspects of the well-being of every pet we treat. Contact us to book a check up for the special pets with whom you share your home, and check out our vet coupons to see if there are any deals available for your visit.