Preventative Medicine

Written by Christy Susec, DVM

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”

-Henry de Bracton

 

How many times have we heard this quote? It holds true in veterinary medicine as it does in so many aspects of our lives. At WVH, we strive to keep your pets happy and healthy for as long as possible. By practicing proactive, rather than reactive medicine, we can more successfully achieve this goal. So what is preventative medicine? 

First and foremost, it is a thorough physical exam. Many problems can be detected in the exam room before they begin bothering your pet. This exam includes monitoring weight trends. Did you know that while 17% of pet owners think their pets are overweight, vets consider 47% of that same population to be too heavy. Also, we will look at your dog or cat’s dental health. Eighty percent of dogs and 70% of cats already have gum disease by age 3. Dental disease can also affect the liver, kidneys, and heart. 

Vaccinations are another important part of keeping your pet healthy. There are many diseases that can be prevented or significantly decreased by following a sensible vaccine schedule. For what and how often depends upon your individual pet. These decisions are based upon age, breed, past medical history, travel plans, and exposure potential. We can discuss these criteria during your vaccine appointment. For example, if your cat never goes outside, and you don’t plan on introducing any new cats (not even the cute kitten that just appeared on your deck); you will likely not need the feline leukemia vaccine. But if your cat does go outside, it becomes a recommended vaccine, because up to 11% of the stray cat population is positive for this contagious disease. 

Parasite prevention helps keep not only your pet, but also you, healthier. Some of the parasites that affect your pets can also be passed to humans. These are called zoonotic parasites. Some parasites can be found during the physical exam, but others require a fecal sample or a blood test. This is especially important for the younger, older, and immunocompromised pet. 

Spaying and neutering will help prevent reproductive diseases, such as mammary cancer, uterine and testicular cancers and infections, prostate enlargements or cancers, aggression, roaming, and pet overpopulation. One unspayed female cat and her offspring if allowed to have 2 litters a year with an average kitten survival rate of 2.8 kittens, can result in over 10,000 cats in 5 years! Shelters annually receive 8-12 million pets, of which 30-60% are euthanized. 

Microchipping can help get your pet back if it is missing. This is done much like administering a vaccine, but with a larger needle. We often microchip at the spay or neuter while anesthetized, or certainly can be done in the awake pet. This chip, when scanned, brings up a number that corresponds to you and your pet. Of those millions of pets that end up at a shelter yearly, 75% have no form of ID and only 2% are reclaimed. 

Screening tests are recommended for our senior patients or those predisposed to certain diseases. Baseline blood work or x-rays may be advised during your visit. 

By catching a disease process early, we can often minimize the long term effects on you four legged family member. Or better yet, prevent some problems all together!