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www.GreaterCincinnatiPetPages.com
By Abby Schuster, DVM
Pet owners know to take their pets to
the veterinarian when they seem ill, but
not everyone realizes the importance
of routine check-ups for apparently well
pets. Regular visits with your veterinarian
throughout all stages of a pet's life are one
of the best ways to keep your pet healthy
and comfortable.
When adopting a puppy or kitten, you
should make sure it's healthy by taking it to
your veterinarian for a complete examina-
tion. Your veterinarian will ensure the pet
is growing properly, look for congenital
abnormalities, and check for parasites and
infections that could affect not just your
new pet, but potentially other animals and
people in the household. Your veterinarian
will administer vaccines, initiate heartworm
and parasite prevention, and schedule
subsequent visits for vaccine boosters and
spaying/neutering. These measures will
help to keep your pet safe from potentially
deadly conditions throughout its life.
Vaccines, parasite control, and thorough
physical exams are very important for adult
and senior pets as well. Veterinarians are
trained to recognize subtle indications of
developing health problems, sometimes
before the pet is even showing any signs.
Screening tests including bloodwork, uri-
nalysis, x-rays, and others can be utilized
to help pinpoint or rule-out problems before
they become more serious. Early detection
often improves the success of treatment
and adds quality to a pet's life. Addition-
ally, early intervention can be much more
cost-effective than if the condition were to
progress untreated and develop into an
emergency situation.
Pet owners want their pets to be happy,
healthy companions to them for many
years. Routine examinations, preventive
measures, and discussions with your vet-
erinarian are crucial to ensuring your pet
receives the best care and enjoys as long
and happy a life as possible.
Dr. Abby Schuster, VCA College Hill.
The Importance of Routine Checkups for Pets
Animal Hospitals/Clinics
VCA College Hill Animal Hospital
(513) 655-2180
VCA Tennessee Avenue Animal Hospital
(513) 426-7886
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