With the school year about to start, students of all ages are headed to their pediatricians for their annual check-ups, and for many, those dreaded booster shots. But they’re not the only ones due for a doctor’s visit.
In the midst of the end-of-summer craziness, we can’t forget to schedule wellness exams for our four-legged kiddos. If it’s been over a year since your dog or cat received preventative care from their veterinarian, they’re at risk of getting sick from an easily avoidable illness.
While many pet owners are great about vaccinating their puppies or kittens, once their furry friends get a little order, they tend to be lax in their approach to care, especially if their pet appears healthy. Unfortunately, once their pet catches a viral or bacterial infection from their buddies at the dog park, groomer’s, or kennel, their illness can be difficult – and expensive – to treat.
As a veterinarian, I recommend that every adult dog receive three core vaccines each year to boost their immune system – DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvo), Bordetella (kennel cough), and canine influenza – as well as a parvo vaccination every three years. Cats, even if they’re always indoors, need their yearly FVRCP vaccine, which protects them against respiratory disease and feline distemper. Both cats and dogs should also be vaccinated against rabies every three years.
Just like the flu or COVID-19 vaccinations we receive, pet vaccines don’t offer 100 percent protection against infectious disease, but they significantly ease the severity of symptoms, stop the progression of the illness, and speed up recovery time if your dog or cat does get sick.
In addition to their annual vaccines, all pets should be placed on a preventative for heartworm disease, which can be transmitted by mosquitos even during the fall and winter months. By the time a pet owner recognizes the symptoms of heartworm disease, such as breathing problems, a persistent cough, and a lack of energy, treatment to save their dog or cat’s life can run into hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
Thwarting heartworm is simple, painless, and cost-effective. A variety of FDA-approved medications, including chewable oral tablets or topical liquid, range from just $10 to $30 a month, or you can bring your pet into your vet clinic for an injectable parasiticide every six months. When you compare the cost of prevention to the cost of treatment, there’s no question that heartworm preventatives are essential for both your pet’s well-being and your financial health.
Annual wellness exams are an easy and cost-effective way to protect the pet you love year-round. By adding a quick vet visit and vaccinations to your to-do list this fall, you can help your dog or cat enjoy a long, happy, and healthy life.