Top 4 Veterinary Questions from 2020

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Q: Does my pet really need to come in for an exam?

A:  Regardless if your pet seems perfectly healthy, Oregon law states that a pet must have been examined at minimum within the last 365 days in order for a veterinarian to vaccinate, treat, run diagnostics, or prescribe medication. For senior pets the American Veterinary Medical Association even recommends 6 month wellness exams for pets over 7 years of age for early detection of preventable diseases. If your dog or cat is experiencing any symptoms outside of the normal for them then your veterinarian should ask you to schedule an appointment. Unlike humans who can communicate their ailments, a physical exam is the closest thing your veterinarian has to know where the source of concern is coming from.

Q: Do I need to give my pet flea prevention all year around?

A:  While fleas thrive in warmer weather they do not hibernate in the winter. The cold weather slows down their life cycle but female fleas can still lay up to 50 eggs a day. It is recommended to continue using flea prevention to avoid an infestation.

Q: How often should my pet’s nails be trimmed?

A:  A good general rule is to keep your pet’s nails short enough to prevent them touching the ground when standing or if you hear clicking on the floor you know it’s time to get out the nail trimmers or make an appointment with the groomer or your veterinary office. Dogs can usually go 3-4 weeks between nail trims, especially if they walk on pavement frequently as that will “file” the nails down a little. 2-3 weeks is recommended for cats as a scratching post may help dull the nail but will not wear them down significantly.

Q: What food should I be feeding my pet?

A:  Excluding any specific or prescription diet recommended by your veterinarian, the pet market is flooded with many brands, opinions, and a wide range of cost. It can be overwhelming to know where to start finding a diet that is safe and will compliment your pet’s current life stage.

Brands like Purina, Royal Canin, Hill’s, and Iams have spent the time and funds to perform high levels of quality control and have extensively published research to support the nutritional balance of their diets are great choices for any budget.

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