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| Important Spring Pet Care Tips |
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by Dr. Robb
As spring ushers in warmer weather, it brings with it a host of pet health concerns, from yearly vaccinations, parasite dangers and seasonal allergies. It’s one of the busiest times for veterinarians and according to Dr. John Robb of the national organization Protect the Pets, it’s an important time for pet owners to be educated about their pets healthcare.
“There’s still much research and standardization needed in veterinary medicine, leaving pets unprotected against bad practices,” says Dr. Robb “Some veterinarians may still be practicing outdated vaccination methods, making recommendations that puts profits over pets, or simply not informing pet owners about the dangers of medications.”
To help keep your pet healthy and safe, Dr. Robb shares some important information you should know when handling your pet’s health care this spring:
Take Heartworm Testing off of Automatic Pilot
Yearly heartworm testing has been a regular practice, and expense for dog owners during spring exams, but testing is not necessary for dogs taking medication all year. “The theory is, if your pet’s been on prevention medicine all year round, than its unlikely he/she would become infected with heartworms,” says Dr. Robb. He says the decision should ultimately lie with the pet owner but points out that many veterinarians still require annual testing before giving pet owners more heartworm medicine, even if they have been giving the medicine all year. “This essentially forces pet owners to put their dog through the unnecessary pain of drawing blood and the unnecessary expense of running tests,” he says. “If your veterinarian requires a test without talking to you and letting you decide, then make sure to bring it up at your next visit, and be wary – he/she may not have your best interest at heart.”
Cut -Out Cortisone Treatments for Allergies
Seasonal allergies in pets can cause chronic skin reactions such as severe itching and rashes. These conditions are commonly treated with cortisone shots. Dr. Robb warns that cortisone injections can ultimately kill animals by causing Cushing’s disease in dogs, diabetes in cats and other ailments.
Spring Pet Health
“Cortisone injections must be used judiciously, not as a first line defense. Many times cortisone treatments only mask the problem ending up costing the owner more money and the animal more suffering in the long run,” he says. If your pet suffers from allergies, ask your veterinarian to run allergy tests, consider allergy shots or food elimination diets, check for mites and also, consider consulting with a veterinary dermatologist.
Know the Dangers of Feline Vaccinations
It’s proven. Yearly vaccinations like Feline Leukemia, and Rabies, can cause cancer in cats and have been cited to have caused thousands of deaths. Dr. Robb says your veterinarian should warn you of their potential side effects, and help you evaluate the exposure to disease versus the risk of cancer in determining your pet’s vaccine schedule. “Vaccinations are not only costly; they can be deadly,” warns Dr. Robb.” If your veterinarian is not discussing this with you, then you should seriously examine the care you’re receiving.”
Beware of Toxic Tick Control
Ticks thrive in spring and fall’s cool wet weather, threatening your pet with fatal tick-borne illnesses. Treat your yard to reduce the tick population and your pet’s exposure, and apply preventative medicine to your pet to decrease the risk of tick infestation or transportation into the home. But be cautious when shopping for tick treatments on your own. Some are toxic to cats and not clearly marked as such on the packaging, warns Dr. Robb, who has seen many cats die from the mistake. To be safe, Dr. Robb advises speaking with your veterinarian to get his/her recommendations.
For more information about your pet’s health and getting the best in veterinary care, visit http://www.protectthepets.com
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| This article was published on Friday 04 April, 2008. |
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