Pet Health

Building a relationship with your veterinarian

Your veterinarian is the best source for advice on the overall health of your pets. He or she can perform a complete physical on your dog or cat and inform you of any health problems. The first time you take your pet to the vet, some of the most common diagnostic tests he or she will perform are fecal exams to detect internal parasites and blood tests for more serious diseases. During the physical, your vet will feel the animal's abdomen, listen to the chest for heart and breathing sounds, check the condition of the coat, look in the ears for ear mites and infection, examine the eyes to make sure they are clear and free of disease and inspect the mouth for signs of tartar build-up and gum disease.

Healthy indicators

To help you answer any of your vet's questions, you should know what's normal.
dog health

Immunizations

Puppies and kittens should be immunized at an early age. Your vet will start him on a vaccination schedule and will advise you when boosters are necessary. A complete vaccination program is the best way to prevent or reduce the liklihood of your pet catching a disease. Here is a list of diseases for dogs and cats to be vaccinated from:

Common Ailments

See your vet immediately if your pet shows signs of illness.