Do you remember the last time your pet started having problems? I haven't always had an easy time figuring out what was going on with my animal, which is why I started thinking more seriously about taking the right steps to make sure things were going like they should be. I began focusing more seriously on my animal, and before I knew it, I was able to determine when he was and wasn't sick. When he was sick, I always took him in to my veterinarian for service, and I feel like that has saved his life a few times. Check out this blog for more information.
Cameron Torres
Whether you're looking to adopt your first dog or have already brought your canine companion home, the fact remains that there are a lot of responsibilities that come along with caring for a new dog, regardless of its age. Making sure your dog receives excellent preventative care is one of the best things you can do to protect your pet's long-term health and wellness, and there are a few specific preventative care tips you should follow shortly after bringing your new dog home.
Schedule a Spay/Neuter Surgery
Some shelters will have dogs spayed or neutered before they can even be adopted out, but if this was not the case with your dog, it's important to schedule this surgery with a reputable vet as soon as possible. Specifically, a spay or neuter surgery will involve the removal of some of your dog's reproductive parts in order to prevent unwanted litters. This procedure is also beneficial to your pet's health because dogs that are spayed/neutered are much less likely to develop reproductive cancers later in life.
Set Up a Health and Wellness Exam
Even if your dog was examined shortly before you adopted him or her, it's always a good idea to schedule a comprehensive health and wellness exam for your new dog with a trusted vet. This will allow your vet to establish an overall "baseline" for your pet's health, as well as be on the lookout for any underlying signs of health problems that may have been overlooked when your dog was still in the shelter.
Make Sure Vaccinations Are Up-to-Date
While most dogs are brought up-to-date on vaccinations before they're adopted out, there's still a good chance that your dog could already need his or her next round of vaccines--even if you just adopted him or her a few weeks ago. This is especially common with puppies, who usually need new vaccines every few weeks early on in their lives. Keeping your pet's vaccines updated is the best way to protect your pet from serious (and potentially fatal) health problems, such as rabies.
Don't Forget About Parasite Prevention
Last but not least, make sure to talk to your vet about getting your dog on a parasite prevention medicine. Flea, tick, and parasite medications come in a variety of types, including monthly pills and even topical treatments to best suit your needs.
A little preventative care can go a long way in helping your new dog lead a happy and healthy life! Take your new friend to a clinic like Murrells Inlet Veterinary Hospital for continued care.