You want to do everything possible to keep your pet healthy and happy. One of the most effective ways to ensure their well-being is through routine wellness care. Annual wellness visits, vaccinations, and preventive measures can effectively protect your pet from various diseases. Our Caldwell Animal Hospital team outlines five pet diseases that you can prevent with routine wellness care. 

#1: Dental disease: A hidden threat

Affecting up to 80% of dogs and cats by 3 years of age, dental disease is one of the most common health issues among pets. Dental disease causes more than bad breath—tooth root infections, tooth loss, and organ failure can affect your pet’s overall health and quality of life. Our veterinarians perform a dental check during every annual wellness exam so that we can detect signs of dental disease, such as bad breath, tartar accumulation, and inflamed gums. If your pet has signs of dental disease, we will likely recommend a professional dental cleaning. Once your pet’s teeth have been cleaned, you can begin daily toothbrushing at home to ward off future problems. 

#2: Tick-borne diseases: Shielding your pet from tiny threats

It is crucial to protect your pet from tick-borne diseases, especially in regions like ours where ticks are prevalent and active year-round. These tiny parasites can transmit various illnesses, such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, that can cause serious long-term effects. In addition to checking your pet for ticks after hikes and outings, year-round tick prevention is a must. Our veterinary team can recommend a safe and effective tick preventive that will kill ticks shortly after they attach, preventing them from transmitting disease-causing pathogens.

#3: Heartworm disease: Guarding your pet’s heart

Heartworm disease poses a significant threat to dogs and cats. The parasitic worm, Dirofilaria immitis, is transmitted to pets through a mosquito bite. In dogs, heartworms travel to the heart and lungs, where they can grow to a foot in length and cause severe damage to these vital organs. The heartworms’ presence triggers inflammation that can lead to signs such as coughing, fatigue, and exercise intolerance. Without treatment, the disease will progress to heart failure and death.

While heartworms rarely mature to adulthood and cannot reproduce in cats, heartworm disease can be equally dangerous for them. Cats may develop heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD), which is characterized by severe inflammation in response to the worms’ presence. Affected cats may experience coughing, vomiting, lethargy, respiratory distress, and sudden death. 

Fortunately, protecting your pet from deadly heartworm disease is simple. Heartworm prevention is available in many forms, including an annual injection that we can administer during your dog’s wellness appointment. We can help you decide which preventive is best for your pet’s needs.

#4: Obesity: The silent pet health epidemic

You may not consider obesity to be a disease, but the extra pounds your pet may be carrying can lead to a range of health conditions, such as joint disease, diabetes, and heart disease, that can seriously affect their quality of life and shorten their lifespan. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 59% of dogs and 61% of cats are overweight or obese. And, a recent Purina study found that dogs who are fed fewer calories live up to two years longer than those who eat more. Unsure whether your pet is overweight? Use a body condition scale to determine whether they fall above the ideal range. 

As part of your pet’s annual wellness exam, we will compare their weight to previous visits and assign them a body conditions score (BCS). If needed, we can work together to create a weight loss plan that includes diet and exercise to help your pet lose weight safely.

#5: Parvo: A deadly virus

Parvo is a highly contagious disease that affects puppies and unvaccinated dogs who have not built adequate immunity to the virus. Parvo spreads through contact with infected feces or objects contaminated with the virus, which survives for years in the environment. Parvovirus attacks the GI tract, causing severe vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration that can be fatal without prompt and intensive treatment. 

The parvo vaccine is a core vaccine that is administered to all dogs as part of their routine vaccination schedule, and is highly effective at helping puppies and adult dogs build immunity against this devastating disease. Regular booster shots throughout your dog’s life are essential to maintain immunity and ensure your dog remains safe from this life-threatening disease.

These are only a few of the threats that can be effectively managed or avoided with the right preventive measures. By partnering with our Caldwell Animal Hospital team and staying committed to your pet’s well-being, you can provide them with a healthier, happier, and longer life. Give us a call if your pet is due for their wellness visit.