 | A good preventive medical plan for your pet includes yearly examinations by your veterinarian, routine immunizations and checks for parasites, spaying or neutering at an appropriate age and monitoring system functions as it ages.
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| ID tags, microchips, and tattoos can help track your pets should they become lost and help return them to you promptly. If you have a second home, be sure your veterinarian has all of your phone numbers.
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| Thunderstorms and fireworks can be quite upsetting for many pets. There are a variety of anti-anxiety medications that may help ease your pets through the storms and celebrations.
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| Un-neutered dogs are more likely to display aggressive behavior and to develop prostate disease as they grow older. Neutering at an early age can also decrease the dog's tendency to roam.
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| If you chose to salute the summer and its holidays with fireworks at home, be considerate of your neighbors and their pets, and abide by local regulations on the use of explosive devices.
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| Spaying dogs at an early age prevents unwanted litters and diseases of the reproductive tract, and significantly reduces the likelihood of mammary tumors as the dog ages.
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| Rinsing your dog with tap water and then towel drying after it has been swimming can help to reduce the incidence of “hot spots,” an unsightly and often painful moist dermatitis.
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| If you take your dog along on boat rides, be sure that it is safely secured. Dogs jumping or falling from moving boats can be seriously injured by the propeller. |
| Keep sweets out of the reach of your pets. Chocolate at an ounce per pound of a dog's weight can be fatal and lesser amounts can cause serious illness. |
| Check your pets ears weekly for signs of infection. Early detection and treatment may help prevent the long-term complications of chronic disease. |
| Marked changes in appetite and water consumption, along with unexplained weight gain or loss, can be indicators of serious problems in both cats and dogs and should be discussed with your veterinarian to determine the cause and possible treatment. |
| Follow directions on medications dispensed by your veterinarian and finish all prescriptions unless otherwise advised by the doctor.
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| Fishing tackle is an attractive nuisance for cats and dogs alike, and playing with or eating hooks and lures will necessitate a trip to the veterinary hospital. |
| Gift certificates for pet health care or products, or for spays and neuter, make good gifts for friends and relatives. |
| Heat stroke can strike quickly for pets left shut in cars. If you will be away from your vehicle for any length of time, consider leaving your dog or cat at home. |
| A fence and a leash may be your dog’s best friends. Dogs allowed to roam free are more likely to eat inappropriate things and to be injured by vehicles, irate neighbors and other animals.
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| | A number of pet health insurance programs are available for puppies as well as older dogs. An insurance policy may make the difference between treating an ill or injured pet and putting it to sleep. Ask your veterinarian for details. |
| | Cats kept inside will live longer, healthier lives. If they are allowed to roam, they should be vaccinated against Feline Leukemia, Feline Infectious Peritonitis and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, all highly contagious, non-treatable diseases.
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| | Go through your pet's medicine cabinet at least once a year, discarding outdated medications or those drugs which are no longer needed for an existing condition.
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| | While string and yarn make wonderful playthings for cats, they can be swallowed and cause life-threatening obstructions in the stomach or intestines. Vomiting or straining in the litter box are signs that your cat should be seen by a veterinarian. |
| | Spot-on products such as Frontline and Advantix Plus do an excellent job of controlling ticks and fleas on most dogs. Discuss which product would be most appropriate for your pet with your veterinarian. |
