There are many common diseases and emergencies that are avoidable, however in certain circumstances the disease process is age-related or beyond the owner’s control. Additionally, screening tests can identify many age-related disorders before they manifest in a pet, which enables us to halt the disease’s course and manage it more effectively.
As a devoted pet owner, you want your animal companion to live as long as possible in good health. This may be accomplished by making preventative care investments over the course of your pet’s life.
What is Preventative Care?
The phrase “preventive care” refers to all the actions you and your pet’s veterinarian take to maintain your pet’s health. Many individuals believe that receiving immunizations from the veterinarian at least once a year and employing parasite control are two examples of preventive (or preventative) care.
Even though they are crucial elements of preventative care, they are merely the start. Comprehensive physical examinations are another aspect of preventive veterinary care.
- checking for parasites and illnesses associated with aging.
- the upkeep of a healthy weight.
- preserving dental health.
- neutering and spaying.
Your pet should still go to the vet every year even if they are not due for vaccinations.
In addition, we are always discovering more about the hereditary illnesses that affect animals. Breed-specific genetic testing are now widely available. You may check your pet’s DNA for predispositions to various illnesses with only a quick cheek swab. Using this knowledge, your vet can help you choose the best course of action for your pet and keep an eye out for any early indications of these diseases over the course of your pet’s lifetime. At your subsequent veterinarian visit, you can talk about whether this testing is appropriate for you and your pet.
What is the price of preventative care?
The precise expenses for preventative care will differ slightly depending on your region as well as the size and age of your pet. It might range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars annually. However, overall, the financial and emotional expenses associated with sickness diagnosis and treatment are far higher than those associated with prevention.
Think about pyometra, a uterine condition that affects old, intact dogs and cats. This illness calls for an urgent operation, which can cost more than $1000. By spaying your pet while she is young, a treatment that often only costs a few hundred dollars, the infection can be avoided. The dangers of anesthesia are fewer in a healthy pet, in addition to the economic advantages of spaying your dog when she is young and healthy.
Unvaccinated puppies frequently contract the parvovirus, and treatment for the condition can cost well over $1,000. You and your family may experience a lot of worry and emotional strain if your new puppy must spend many days in the hospital. Fortunately, the vaccination is quite effective, and depending on the age of your pet, the whole series will typically cost between $50 and $100.
Is Preventative Care included in Pet insurance?
Yes! Certain companies provide pet insurance that offers wellness programs, which can pay you for some normal care charges, in addition to coverage for diseases and accidents. This can cover costs for regular checkups, immunizations, parasite control, blood screenings, and even pet dental cleanings.
Many wellness programs have monthly starting prices of $10 or less. Knowing your pet is as healthy as possible and free from common illnesses gives you priceless piece of mind. Preventive care coverage provided by pet insurance can increase your pet’s access to vital veterinarian care while lessening the financial burden on you.
Should my pet have a yearly checkup from the vet?
Your pet will have a physical checkup from your veterinarian at each visit. An evaluation of the patient’s weight and body condition score, dental health, eyes, ears, heart, lungs, abdomen, joints and mobility, and skin are all included in this comprehensive check-up. Any anomalies they discover will be noted by your veterinarian, who will also go through them with you.
An yearly checkup enables your veterinarian to become familiar with your pet’s routine, making it easier for them to spot sickness and minor changes over time. For instance, before concluding that your cat is very ill, your veterinarian would advise looking into the cause if they find that your cat has lost 2 pounds since her last visit. In contrast, if your dog has put on ten pounds since last year, your doctor may go over safe weight-loss methods that will still keep your pet as healthy as possible.