Every year, I compile a list of New Year’s Day resolutions. Typically, the same items top my list each year. For instance, I always desire to lose weight and spend more time with my family members. Perhaps, you want to get healthier in the New Year. You may also wish for your beloved pet to enjoy better health this year. To help you accomplish this important task, schedule regular appointments for your pet with his or her veterinarian. A veterinarian can inform you of any health problems your pet may be experiencing. On this blog, I hope you will discover the importance of taking your pet to annual veterinarian appointments. Enjoy!
An ultrasound is most often associated with human pregnancy, but there are a multitude of reasons your pet -- that's right, your dog or cat -- might need one from your local veterinarian. And while ultrasounds certainly aren't cheap, the benefits far outweigh the cost when it comes to your pet's health. So take a look below at three reasons your vet might recommend that Fido get an ultrasound.
Weight Loss
One thing that's always a mystery for pet owners is noticeable weight loss. While there are a number of reasons why your dog or cat may have lost their appetite, the problem becomes compounded in cases where in fact there has been no change in eating habits at all. In these instances, an ultrasound can prove invaluable by giving you and your pet's doctor a chance to see what's going inside their stomach. Whatever the cause of the weight loss (tapeworms are sometimes to blame, for example) and ultrasound can help sort things out quickly and safely.
Surgery
Surgery is never the first option when it comes to diagnosing what might be wrong with your pet. Of course, many surgical procedures are routine and can be done in a matter of a few hours. But that said, surgery is also extremely expensive and -- even more importantly -- invasive, which can potentially cause a whole host of other complications. It's almost always best to perform an ultrasound in the case of a suspected growth or other possibly serious issues. Your pet won't have to be put under, and your vet can determine the next step with more confidence.
Fluids
If your dog or cat is suffering from urinary problems (or digestive problems that are clearly causing them pain) it may be the result of excess fluids. The source of these fluids can be a number of different things, but regardless of what is actually at the root of the problem, an ultrasound can be an efficient and effective solution. Just as with people, and ultrasound on your pet can show more clearly the inner workings of your pet's insides, and give their doctor some substantial clues (if not conclusive evidence) about what is wrong. Best of all, your pet won't have to suffer through a painful operation despite the pain they might be feeling because of the excess fluid. Even with ultrasounds that may require a small tissue sample, anesthesia can easily be used.
Share26 February 2017
