New Year Resolution: 2012 Pet Wellness Year

Now is the time year when many of us start making New Year's resolutions.  I don't make any personal resolutions; hate to set myself up for failure.  I am hoping that I can encourage you to make at least one that will benefit your pet's.  I am asking you to declare 2012 Pet Wellness Year.  We understand that economics have put many of you in a financial bind; it effects the Animal Care Center too.  We have had to tighten our belt and monitor our expenses just as you have.  However, I know that preventing disease is less expensive than treating one.  Example, a series of vaccination for that new Christmas puppy or kitten will cost you about $150.00; treating your puppy for Parvo will cost you about $350.00.  Seems a no brainer to me.  Annual heart worm prevention for a dog over 50# is about $80.00, to treat the same dog for heart worm disease is about $400.00.  Spaying your 50# dog costs approximately $65.00 (what a bargin!) compared to the cost for a C-section if needed, feeding puppies, de-worming puppies and starting them on vaccinations!  In return for your savings, you get a pet that will live longer through better health and be happier.

In addition to applying this resolution to pet maintenance wellness, your wellness declaration should include twice a year examinations for your senior pets.  Today I had a patient on my surgery table that served as a prime example of why this is important.  Warning!! The picture attached is rather graphic!  This patient is a senior citizen that developed a mass on the back of it's leg that had been getting larger over the last 4 months, that went ignored.  The mass became so large that it ruptured the skin and was ulcerated and bleeding.

Approximately the size of a small grapefruit, this tumor would have been much easier and certainly less expensive had it been removed when it was smaller.  This patient has a long and thick hair coat that can make the discovery of the mass early on difficult.  This is actually a lymph node, something that your veterinarian examines during a physical examination.  Early detection of many malignant tumors can be curative and/or at the very least the invasiveness of the cancer can be slowed down and extend the life of the patient.

For this reason, I encourage all pet owners to be vigilant by making an annual examination appointment for your pet, twice a year for senior pets. This year, give your veterinarian the chance to notice any developing illnesses and the opportunity to take care of them right away. If it has been a year or more since your pet has seen a vet, call them today!!