- For many diseases, there are many treatment options. Ask your veterinarian for a choice. Sometimes, there are natural remedies that can be used without the side effects of medications.
- Ask your vet about preventative tips. Many illnesses and diseases can be prevented if you take certain steps as a pet owner. For example, daily teeth brushing can prevent heart, liver and kidney diseases, besides preventing bad breath, tooth and gum infections, and tartar build-up. It can save your pet from undergoing anesthesia for a dentistry and save you a lot of money.
- Ask your vet what vaccinations are important for your pet’s lifestyle. An indoor pet that doesn’t go outside won’t need the same protection that a pet who goes into the woods on a daily basis really should have. If vaccinations are needed, there are many choices. Discuss all of them with your veterinarian. For example, some vaccinations only need to be given every 3 years like Rabies and DHPP or FVRCP. If you have a cat, make sure your vet is using non-adjuvanted vaccinations, which are much safer and aren’t associated with cancer like some of the other cat vaccines. For all pets, the only vaccination required by law is the Rabies vaccine. All of the others are a choice.
- Ask about training tips. One of the first behavior modification lessons I teach is for your pet to, “Drop It!” I cannot tell you how many times I take my dog out for a walk and stop and talk with a neighbor. In less than a second, Roxy picks something up in her mouth and before she can swallow it I yell, “Drop it!” And she spits it out. I don’t want her getting sick from anything she eats from outside and you don’t want that to happen to your pet either. Prevention is always best!
- Ask your vet about the best supplements for your pet. If your pet suffers from arthritis, your vet may recommend you add a daily omega-3 fatty acid to the diet. If there isn’t improvement with all the joints within a month, your pet may benefit from glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and ASU, in addition to that Omega-3. Many times, oral supplements can keep early signs of disease under control and slow down the progression of pain.
I like that you mentioned asking about supplements. I think this is a great way to make sure your pet is getting enough of what they need. I would always consult your vet first though.
Thanks for suggesting some questions to ask your veterinarian. I have been trying to find a good vet for my puppy, but I wasn’t sure of the right questions I should be asking. It is good to know that they should be able to give me some training tips. I haven’t owned a dog before, and I want to make sure I train her right.