Top 5 Reasons to Regularly Visit Your Local Veterinarian

Pet parents are not certified pet experts, but regular checkups allow you to clear doubts with a medical professional. Additionally, it enables you to develop a rapport of trust with your veterinarian.

Smaller clinics can offer that personal touch. If your pet is anxious or afraid, this is helpful.

Prevent Disease

The veterinarian will maintain health records detailing preventive care (vaccinations, heartworm tests, medications, dewormings), illnesses, surgical procedures, and medication responses. These records help the veterinary team detect trends and predict your pet’s disease risk.

Visiting a local practice regularly establishes the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) required for veterinary medical advice and treatment. Studies indicate that educational discussions on pet-owner preventive care may need to be more understood by veterinary teams and less valued by clients.

For the Veterinary Hospital in Cold Spring Kentucky, seek recommendations from friends who own pets and explore online reviews before selecting a vet. Arrange a visit to the facility without your pet to assess its cleanliness and organization. Inquire about laboratory and X-ray equipment availability and the protocols for handling emergencies after hours.

Educate Yourself

Veterinary clinics are often the first place pet owners seek advice and help. Whether it’s an illness, injury, or behavior issue, the right vet can guide you in the best direction.

Many veterinarians also serve as epidemiologists for local, county, and state health departments investigating animal or human disease outbreaks. They can also be found at the FDA, investigating the safety of medicines, medical devices, pet foods, and additives.

Some vets specialize, with most practices split into small animals, farm animals, and equine (although some also treat exotic species like reptiles and birds). Other clinics are open 24/7 for emergency care and have special equipment on-site to stabilize pets.

Early Detection

Many diseases are more severe or life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. Regular checkups allow your vet to examine your pet’s nose to tail and assess any behavior or eating habits changes.

In addition to a physical exam, blood and urine tests can reveal many health issues in your pets. For example, anemia may be a sign of kidney disease or poisoning. Urine tests can detect liver disease or other conditions such as diabetes.

Some illnesses don’t show obvious signs until it is too late, such as a heartworm infestation (which cannot be removed once contracted). Annual checkups help identify and treat problems in their earliest stages. This can prevent a great deal of suffering for your pet.

Prevent Unnecessary Veterinary Visits

Many pet owners can prevent unnecessary visits to the veterinary hospital by getting their animals up to date on their shots and vaccinations. This prevents your pet from contracting serious diseases like rabies, distemper, and more.

During routine visits, your veterinarian will also be able to catch things that may seem minor, such as a small bump or a change in your pet’s behavior. These minor issues can easily be treated if caught early, saving you money from paying for a costly emergency trip to your local animal hospital.

Finally, you can avoid unnecessary vet trips by asking your veterinary team for clear instructions on giving your pet their medications. Ask them to write a detailed instruction sheet for you and your pet so you don’t have any questions once you get home.

Keep Your Pet Healthy

Visiting the veterinarian regularly can prevent or catch health problems early, saving you time and money. For example, if your pet has arthritis, starting them on joint supplements and pain medication as soon as they are diagnosed can slow the progression of the disease. And if your pet has an infection or cancer, they can receive treatment as soon as it is diagnosed.

Routine visits can also help you build a relationship with your veterinarian, making it easier for them to spot issues when they arise. And they can advise you on diet, exercise, behavior modification, and more to help keep your pet healthy. The proverb “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” was created for this reason. Prevention is cheaper and more effective than treating a serious illness later on.