You want the best for your pet. You do your best to provide everything that your furry little friend could possibly want or need, and in fact you see your little critter as another member of your family. Having another living being so completely depend on you can come with its fair share of stresses, worries, and difficulties, but in the end it is always worth it. When you see that precious pup or cuddly kitten come bounding up to you, overjoyed to be in your presence, you know that you wouldn’t have it any other way.
But as you want your beloved little creature to have the happiest and healthiest life possible, it is a good idea to be prepared for every scenario. This is why it is a good idea to nurture a close and trusting relationship with your local veterinarian, so that you can feel secure knowing that your pet will be in good hands. This also allows your local veterinarian to get to know both you and your pet, and the needs and preferences that you have to keep your pet healthy and happy.
Check out your local veterinary options
Just like any service you would seek out to better your life or the lives of your family members, you want to find the perfect veterinary services for you. Once you have found the veterinarian that you are happy taking your pet to, ask him or her for referrals of places to take your pet to in the event that you need to get your furry friend medical attention when your vet’s office is not open. You will always do your best to give your pet the upmost care that it deserves, of course, but it is impossible to foresee absolutely every possibility. Accidents happen, and many animals can develop illnesses or conditions that need more in depth care than the standard walking, feeding, and loving that comes along with having a pet.
For example, there are some cases in which pet owners find themselves in need of an animal medical center that can perform veterinary surgical procedures or veterinary specialty centers that focus on the particular ailment that your pet is facing. Talking to your primary vet will give you some ideas of where you can go and who you should see to get your pet looked at if you have an emergency or your veterinarian is not available. There are also a number of veterinary surgical procedures that not every facility will be able to accommodate, and finding out ahead of time where you could go will do wonders to ease your worry or stress over the situation when that time actually comes.
Getting a jump on a healthy life for your pet
Finding the right vet and getting information on other reliable facilities will certainly help your peace of mind. But your beloved animal’s good health and happiness starts from the very beginning. Your new puppy or kitten will need to be brought in for vaccines every three or four weeks, depending on the recommendation of your vet, until that little furry friend is about 16 weeks old. After that, visits to the vet will vary from animal to animal, breed to breed, and the specific needs of your particular pet.
In general, you should probably bring in your pet at least twice annually for standard checkups. Many pets, about 80% of dogs and 70% of cats, will be showing signs of some sort of dental disease by the time they are three years old. These diseases can lead to abscesses, excruciating or chronic pain, loose teeth, and possibly the need for veterinary surgical procedures. Ensuring that your pet has these regular checkups can help to prevent these discomforts for your pet.
Whether you need information on veterinary surgical procedures or you are taking your pet in for a regular checkup, fostering a positive relationship with your veterinarian will make the experience better for everyone.