MenuSpring Wellness Checks: Is Your Pet Ready for the Season?
Ah, spring. The sun is finally making its return, which means warmer, longer, more cheerful spring days on the horizon.
And while we like to give our homes, yards, and even our vehicles tune-ups and deep-cleanings during this time of year, we often forget one very important spring housekeeping task: a spring wellness pet checkup for our furry family members.
Today, the team at Flowers Mill Veterinary Hospital will share why these visits are key to dog and cat wellness.
Why Springtime is Important for Pet Health
As temperatures (deliciously!) begin to rise, pets often start getting more active and spending more time outside. With yard cleanup, gardening, and prepping for summer fun, there’s tons to do outside—and many of us like to have our furry companions around to keep us company.
But this shift from indoors to out can increase our pets’ exposure to parasites, particularly fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. These three pests carry serious diseases, including tapeworm, Lyme disease, and heartworm, respectively.
If you’ve fallen off the parasite prevention wagon, spring is a crucial time to get back on. Run, don’t walk, to the vet to get the testing and preventives you need to keep your furry friend safe.
Spring can also coincide with changes in your pet’s coat condition, weight, and energy levels. These can all be evaluated during a spring wellness check at the vet.
The Value of a Routine Vet Checkup
A comprehensive pet checkup lets your pet’s veterinarian evaluate multiple aspects of your cat or dog’s health at once. Wellness exams usually include an evaluation of:
- Heart and lung function
- Oral health
- Skin and coat condition
- Body weight and composition
- Musculoskeletal comfort (or lack thereof)
It’s also an ideal time for the vet to ask you questions about your pawsome pal’s health, habits, and routines, which can give important clues to a veterinary professional.
For instance, if you say your dog’s been doing fine but then tell your vet she doesn’t really like to play as much as she used to, your veterinarian can flag that and dig into the reasons why this might be the case.
With early diagnosis and treatment, many chronic conditions—including dental disease, arthritis, and metabolic disorders like diabetes—can be slowed, sometimes dramatically so. In other words, they help give your pet a better long-term outcome.
Supporting Dog and Cat Wellness All Year Long
Maintaining your cat and dog’s wellness means adjusting care for each season. Spring, though it’s a time of new beginnings and fresh growth, is no different.
Spring appointments are ideal for reviewing vaccination schedules and parasite prevention plans—and making sure nutrition is where it should be. Winter weight gain is as common for pets as it is for humans, and spring is an ideal time to come up with a plan to help your pet steer clear of obesity and the health risks that accompany it.
To prepare your pet for a healthy spring, we encourage pet parents in Langhorne, PA, to reach out to our friendly team at Flowers Mill Veterinary Hospital. Call us at (215) 752-1010 to schedule a wellness visit today!