There are certain stages of an animal ’ s life that require veterinary care such as providing vaccines , spaying or neutering , dental checks , parasite tests , and general physical examinations . During routine visits , a veterinarian will check :
• Eyes – Vision checks are done to ensure proper drainage and no signs of cataracts or glaucoma .
• Ears – If left untreated , infections in the ear can cause major pain and discomfort to your pet . Vets check for redness , infection , and evidence of ear mites to prevent and / or treat ear problems .
• Mouth – Since pets don ’ t have the luxury of daily brushing , it ’ s important to keep the gums and teeth of your pet clean and healthy . Gingivitis and periodontal disease , among the most common diseases in pets , can quickly lead to having to remove teeth .
• Skin – Parasites can often go undetected on our pets , leading to disease . Your vet will check for fleas , ticks , mites , or allergic reactions on their skin .
• Joints – Even young pets can show signs of early diseases . Allowing your vet to check joints to ensure proper mobility is important to your pet ’ s health and well-being .
• Weight – It ’ s becoming more common for pets to be overweight , causing increased risk of medical conditions including arthritis .
Veterinary practices are also moving toward more advanced ways to treat your pets including high-tech medical therapies , prescription medications , stem cell therapy , and preventive care treatments . With these advanced technologies there has been a growth in pet insurance to help offset the costs of caring for our beloved pets . No matter if whether you ’ re caring for your brandnew kitten or 15-year-old beagle , you want to be sure your pet ’ s life is as long and happy and healthy as possible . ■
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