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Does Your Dog Have the Preventative Health Measures He Needs?

November 1 2016

Preventative medicine simply makes more sense than treatment—not only is it more effective, it’s far less expensive! Is your dog up-to-date with the preventative healthcare measures he needs for a happy, healthy life? Here, your McHenry, IL veterinarian tells you about the basics.

Pest Control

All dogs should be wearing seasonal or year-round preventative medications to ward off pests like fleas, ticks, and worms. It’s far more worrisome and expensive to rid your dog of the infestations or infections that these pests cause, rather than prevent them initially. Talk to your veterinarian if your dog isn’t already wearing preventive pest-control products.

Vaccination

Of course, vaccination is your pooch’s first line of defense against dangerous and contagious diseases like parvovirus, distemper, parainfluenza, rabies, calicivirus, and other dangerous conditions. Some dogs benefit from vaccines against Lyme disease, the Bordetella virus, and others. Your best course of action is to have a conversation with your veterinarian—he or she can tell you about all the vaccines your canine companion may need.

Diet and Exercise

Diet and exercise are two areas of pet health that often get overlooked as preventative measures, but that’s exactly what they are! Feeding your dog a premium food throughout their life is one of the best ways to keep the body in tip-top shape. Exercising your animal friend regularly goes hand-in-hand with that. If you have questions on your dog’s dietary needs or their exercise regimen, don’t hesitate to give your veterinarian a call.

Spay or Neuter Surgery

Another preventative healthcare step that you may not have considered before is the spay or neuter surgery. Not only does the procedure prevent unplanned litters and help control the homeless pet population, it offers various health benefits to your dog. For one, genital cancer risk is virtually eliminated, and prostate and breast cancers are far less likely to occur. Even urinary tract infections and other common problems are less likely to occur in dogs who have had the procedure performed.

Veterinary Visits

Don’t forget that keeping up with regular veterinary visits is another important aspect of your dog’s regular healthcare. When your vet sees Fido regularly, he or she can catch any problems early and treat them accordingly. Your veterinarian can also offer further recommendations on keeping your dog healthy as time goes on.

Does your pooch need a veterinary examination? Make an appointment at your McHenry, IL animal clinic.