My pet seems healthy, so why go to a vet?
Just like we visit our doctor once a year for a check up and just like the doctor sends you to a lab for yearly blood and urine testing, we do the same for our pets! It is said that our pets age five to seven times as fast as we do. So, checking up on them once a year is really not as often as it seems!
Dogs and cats can develop many of the same problems as people. Cataracts, dental disease, aches and pains from muscle/tendon/ligament injury, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, thyroid disease and cancers, just to name a few. The annual exam is an excellent opportunity for us to learn of any health changes that you may not have noticed on a day to day basis at home with your pet.
Bloodwork and urine tell us even more about what is going on inside your pet. Having up to date test results allow us to detect problems before your pet starts showing symptoms of a disease. Remember that many pets are hardwired not to show any weakness. Part of the reason they don’t complain is because there is no way to communicate how they feel. Also, they have no way to imagine that there is a solution to any problem they are having. For example, if we were to develop a toothache, we would know to call the dentist and make an appointment and we know we will feel better when a doctor fixes the problem. Pets do not imagine this as a reality. In their world, they just think whatever happens is their new normal. Fortunately, we know better for them and we know that aches and pains, infections, eye problems, weakness, lethargy or whatever is bothering them does not have to be the new normal. There are many ways that we can manage our pet’s issues so they can continue to feel young for many years (just like we want for ourselves).
Every year there are advances in veterinary medicine and new protocols put into place. It is always good to check in once a year so that your pet benefits from these advancements. It is our passion to keep your pet living a long healthy and happy life, free of pain and infection. We are advocates for our patients and want to make sure that you have every opportunity to know all that is available to you and your pet in the world of veterinary medicine.
Dr. Regan L. Morris
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner and Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist.
