DavidAs pet owners, it is easy to put off routine wellness checks at the vet due to time and money. The expense of a physical exam and preventative medications can add up, but there is nothing worse for a pet owner who has to take their animal to an emergency vet for a problem that could have been eradicated with a simple measure if a routine wellness exam had taken place. There are several reasons why taking your pet to the veterinarian regularly for a checkup is more cost-effective in the long run.
Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Prevention
Even if your pet is an indoor animal, chances are there will be exposure to harmful parasites just from you walking outdoors and coming in. If your pet is a dog, it is easy for them to contract parasites from using the bathroom or being exposed to other animals during routine walks. Regular vet exams to check for fleas, ticks, and heartworm, along with obtaining preventative medications, can save you the despair that comes with the reality that these little parasites can do a lot of damage to your pet if left undiagnosed.
Parasites carry a range of diseases that can cause internal damage, costly treatment measures, and a lot of heartache if they become sick. During a routine wellness exam, veterinarians can detect the presence of parasites on the skin and in fecal matter and treat your animal while the problem is still small and manageable.
Wellness Checks for Aging Pets
As a pet gets older, their joints can become stiff and inflamed, which can cause mobility issues down the road. Sometimes, it can create so much pain if left untreated; it can cause a dog to have to be put down well before its time. During a routine wellness check, vets can check for issues in the appendages of your animals, along with other areas of their bodies, such as their teeth and gums, to make sure that as they age, they have the proper wellness care to prolong their life and comfort as long as possible.
Digestive Issues
Many times, pet owners will notice that their pet has lost their appetite, has started to eat foods that are not a normal part of their diet, or has begun vomiting or having diarrhea. While many will put off seeking advice from a vet due to the cost of a pet visit, this can be a very costly choice in the long run. A pet can have allergies, digestive issues, blockages, or diseases that can be destroying their internal organs without displaying many visible symptoms. Through some simple bloodwork and stool samples, vets can diagnose more serious problems and provide medication to alleviate the symptoms while treating the problem. If these symptoms are left untreated, pets can suffer even more problematic issues such as hot spots, dehydration, malnutrition, and more, which will be most costly to treat in the long run.
Preventative health care for your pet is the definition of wellness. Before your pet gets to the point of a costly sickness, simple measures can be taken with routine wellness checks, disease prevention, preventative medicines, and vaccines. Although you may be fretting over the bill associated with a physical exam, over time, the costs of prevention are minuscule compared to a costly large vet bill for a problem that could have been detected while it was small and manageable.