Looking after a pet involves many responsibilities. In the same way, humans demand a lot of care; felines and canines also require a lot of attention. Unfortunately, the amount of attention pets need could lead owners to overlook some parts of their health and wellness. Because of these neglected habits, veterinarians see some pet issues more often than others. If you want your pets to enjoy long and healthy lives, you must observe these five vital aspects of pet care.
Overlooked Pet Health Problems
Are you aware of the most common pet health problems that go ignored? A pet’s quality of life and lifespan can be significantly affected by any of these problems. Remember to add them to your list of things to keep an eye on.
1. Weight
In the United States, 54% of canines and cats are overweight. The same significant repercussions apply to pets as to people. Obese pets are prone to develop osteoarthritis, insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart, and respiratory problems, cranial cruciate ligament injuries, kidney problems, and many types of cancers. A pet’s life expectancy can be lowered by up to 2.5 years if obese. As part of your pet’s annual health checkup, your veterinarian will assess your pet’s weight and guide you in establishing a weight management plan if necessary.
2. Oral Care
By age 3, around 80% of pets have an oral illness. Serious effects might result if dental health problems are not dealt with. Uncomfortable chewing and tooth loss can result from loosening the ligaments around teeth. Bacteria from the gums and mouth can infect vital organs like the heart, kidneys, and liver. To keep away from the problem, bring your pet in for regular examinations and follow your veterinarian’s directions regarding dental hygiene.
3. Water Consumption
Among the most essential regular activities may be monitoring your pet’s water intake. Changes (increased or decreased water intake) can be a sign of various diseases, including kidney illness, diabetes, high thyroid hormone, lower urinary complications such as bladder infections, high calcium, liver disease, systemic infections, Cushing’s syndrome, and many more things. Right after you see this sign, contact emergency veterinary services so they can seek a more serious issue.
4. Ear Infections
One of the most common concerns your veterinarian experiences is an external ear infection, or “otitis externa.” Its cause may be parasitic, microbial, fungal, or allergic. Among the symptoms and signs are:
- Shaking the head
- Scratching the ears
- Emits a bad odor
- Discharge extraordinarily
- Ear inflammation
- Holding the head or ear in an unusual position
Although ear infections are typically not deadly, they can be quite painful and should be treated by your veterinarian right after they are discovered. You can visit westsideemergency.com for more information.
5. Lumps and Bumps
Seeing a lump or bump on a pet’s body is a pet owner’s worst nightmare. They can be triggered by anything from minor bumps to even more severe problems that require comprehensive screening and surgical treatment. Nevertheless, specialists have uncovered one issue that gets too little attention: the relevance of inspecting a pet’s skin for lumps and bumps since they could be indications of cancer. Find out more about dog’s bloodwork to learn more about this.
You must be able to establish a care plan for your pet very quickly if you give it some time. As a responsible pet owner, be sure you’re not overlooking any parts of your pet’s health and wellness. If you want to provide the best possible care for your pets, do not forget these 5 frequently overlooked aspects of vet care. It would make your pets satisfied if you gave them more focus.