By Dr. Laura Hady
I once read an article about the things human doctors want patients to know. Topics addressed included health habits, stress relievers and questions to ask at exams. It even stated that doctors know when we are lying to them. Considering pets, here are the top five things I think you, as their parents, should be aware of:
- Weight gain is often easier than weight loss, just as it is for humans. Pet food bags and labels often recommend too much food. To help a pet to lose weight, measure 25% less food than recommended and add some water to help the animal feel full. It’s also helpful for hydration. As little as a 10-minute walk once or twice a day can help with calorie burning. Safe weight loss is about 1%-2% of weight per week. That means no more than 1 pound per week for large dogs, ½ pound for 50-pound dogs, and one-quarter pound per week for small dogs and cats. It may take a pet a full month before weight loss starts.
- Take all medications or photos of the prescriptions and supplements to vet visits, especially if you got them at another clinic. When a pet has a complex diagnosis involving multiple health issues, it is best to decide what medications are the most important if the pet is not responding to treatment. Then, layer on other medications and supplements in 2- to 4-week intervals to see what effect, if any, each has on the pet.
- Baths and wipes are a great first-line treatment for allergies and skin infections. While we can’t always keep our pets from rolling in the dirt and grass, we can wipe them off with hypoallergenic wipes at the end of the day and give them baths every one to four weeks during allergy season. These simple acts help to reduce allergen load on the skin and nose. Washing blankets and pet bed covers every two to four weeks also decreases dirt, hair and allergens. The goal is to reduce the number of medications, including antibiotics, needed for secondary skin infections. Newer shampoos and conditioners are light weight, dry out the skin less, and help to provide a non-greasy barrier on the skin.
- Training begins before the first veterinary appointment. No matter what your pet’s age, I suggest performing three basic handling skills daily: The first is to get the animal to give you access to their paws and nails without a fight. I give treats while the dog or cat extends their paw, and I will train owners how to trim nails on their pets at a young age. It’s also useful to get the pet accustomed to rolling on its side for a light massage. If they will then do this at the vet, it enables staff to examine the lower abdomen for rashes and masses. Vet staff also appreciate animals being leash-, harness- or crate-trained. This helps techs and doctors maneuver the pet to where they need it with less pulling and struggling.
- Dental care is vital for overall health. Dogs and cats can develop tartar and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) by as young as 2 years of age. Consider starting to brush your pet’s teeth as soon as you get them; your veterinary staff can train you. While some veterinary toothbrushes are too big for an animal so young, gauze, swabs, and toddlers’ first toothbrushes with enzymatic toothpaste can also be used. Enzymatic toothpaste continues to clean after you apply it to the teeth and gums. When the veterinary staff recommends a dental cleaning under anesthesia, they are doing so to prevent the bacteria from the mouth showering the heart and kidneys. Mouth exams at your pet’s annual visit and a more thorough exam while your pet is under anesthesia allows a vet to find issues such as fractured teeth, masses, and tooth root abscesses earlier.
