October is National Pet Wellness Month!

Did you know? Have you heard?  October is National Pet Wellness Month!

When our babies are born, they immediately have their first wellness exam.  We continue to schedule and attend these exams as recommended and never miss an appointment.  Often pet owners begin puppy and kitten wellness exams nearly as early in life, but as the pet ages, these same owners tend to schedule visits less frequently than recommended.  

Please remember that every year of human life corresponds to approximately seven years for your dog, depending upon its size and breed.  As a result, if one year of wellness testing is missed for your dog, it is comparable to missing seven years of human checkups! Cats, too, age at a much more rapid rate than humans.  For example, a three year old cat is approximately 42 years old in human years. 

There are many reasons (or excuses) to not schedule your pet’s wellness visit…bad economy, lack of time, or the cost just does not fit into the budget at this time.  It is wise to keep in mind though, that wellness testing may find those otherwise undetected conditions that will end up costing you more in the long run.

Starting wellness testing when your pet is young gives you and your veterinarian a set of laboratory values that are normal or “baseline” for your pet.  Annual exams with blood testing can detect any abnormalities and provide the opportunity to treat any conditions early and more effectively. This will keep your pet healthier plus save substantial costs. Pet owners that are vigilant in providing necessary preventive treatments will find their pets healthier and happier.

When your pet reaches “senior” age level, yearly blood tests are even more important. It is at this stage that many organs begin to function at less than optimal levels, particularly the kidneys and liver.  Blood tests can detect these changes as well as others, and the necessary treatment can be determined to extend both the life and the quality of life of your pet.

So, let’s celebrate National Pet Wellness Month with our pets!  Give them the best care – the care that they deserve – and keep them healthy throughout every life stage!