5 Most Important Things

"What does my pet need?'  Many people haven't had pets before or it has been a long time, and they don't know what they need to do for them.  Soooo, I decided I would make a list of the 5 most important things.  I feel like Dr. Oz and his 'Top 10 Daily Essentials'!!!!  This list is for dogs AND cats.

**This is in no form or way 'everything' you need to do for your pet, but this is a fantastic place to start.  I think if you do these 5 things for your pets health, you are on your way to having your pet for many, many years to come.**

1.  Yearly Wellness Exam at your Veterinarian
    Office

• This visit is so important, especially in those older pets, who could be starting to have problems with their teeth, heart, etc.
• Just a little trade secret, it helps if your veterinarian and the staff know you.  That way we already know what you want.  That makes it easier to make the right decisions about your pets care.

2.  Vaccinations

• These maybe yearly or every few years.  It depends on the vaccine.  These vaccines prevent many 'non-treatable' diseases.  Non-treatable means your pet will most likely die if infected with the disease, for example- Rabies.
• Your veterinarian can help with choosing the appropriate vaccines.

3.  Heartworm Prevention

• Yes! Cats get heartworms!
• Heartworms have been found in all 50 states.  Below is a map with the number of cases per clinic.
• In the state of Texas, where I practice, heartworm prevention is a MUST!
• Heartworms cause heart disease and eventually death.
• They are super easy to PREVENT.  It is just a once a month; topical-drop or a by mouth tablet/chew.
• TREATING heartworms is NOT super easy.  It requires a series of injections and a pre-treatment workup.
• Let me give you a cost break-down on prevention versus treatment.  A years worth of prevention for a 60 pound dog costs ~$120 versus ~$920 for treatment!!!!  You can prevent heartworms for 9 years before it even starts to even out!!

4. Flea/Tick Prevention

• Not only are they disgusting, they also spread disease.  These parasites feed on blood and spread numerous life threatening diseases.
• When it comes to flea/tick prevention I am a big brand name supporter.  There are several cheaper but less effective options out there, I don't think they work very well and they can be harmful to your pets, esp. cats.
• Every veterinarian has their favorite products.  Mine are Advantage for fleas and Frontline for fleas and ticks.  Both are safe but mostly they WORK!!!

5.  Good Food

• I get asked all the time what the best food is...  This is a very touchy question with some people, so my response is usually.                     

                 -"Buy the best food you can afford, you get what you pay for."-

• My favorite brands are Science Diet, Iam's, Eukanuba, and Purina Pro Plan or O.N.E.  All of these companies have been around fooorrreevver.  They have years of research in animal nutrition.  They also have fantastic customer support.  They guarantee all of their products, if the dog won't eat it, they give you your money back!