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We live in a “fix it” society, which means we typically only address problems when they happen. The problem with this is, of course, it’s typically more expensive to solve issues than prevent them from occurring. This is certainly the case with pets and the parasites that feed off them. Not only is it more cost-effective to establish and maintain year-round prevention, a consistent approach to parasites promotes overall health and wellness. 

Here at East Sacramento Veterinary Center, we love spreading the word about the importance of preventive care. But we know that pet health issues can happen despite those annual wellness appointments. That’s part of preventive care, after all—it doesn’t just help your pet avoid health issues. It also helps us catch them early if your pet does develop them. So, what are the most common pet health problems to look out for? 

Here are 5 common conditions we see at our clinic.  

The fact that there are many unknowns can make a cancer diagnosis much more challenging. Because each case is unique, it’s not always clear how cancer will affect a pet’s lifestyle and lifespan. There is definitely room for hope, but it’s important to move quickly toward an effective medical plan after the initial diagnosis. Cancer in pets can be treated (and even cured), and many animals maintain a high quality of life throughout the ordeal.

If you’ve noticed that it takes significantly longer to get your pet in to see their veterinarian these days, you aren’t alone. The Coronavirus pandemic has affected pretty much everything, and longer veterinary appointment wait times throughout the country are no exception.

At East Sacramento Veterinary Center we consider ourselves your partners in pet care. We truly empathize with the frustration that comes from having to book appointments out farther than you’re used to! We’re hoping that by explaining the reasons behind this phenomenon, and what you can do about it on your end, will help us get us all back on track sooner rather than later.

Pet owners walk the line between wanting to provide the best care to their best buddies – and spoiling them rotten! Just like the choices we make to treat ourselves may not be healthy in the long run (like ice cream every day), the goodies we give our pets to make them happy or feel extra special can have similar consequences. To keep them at their fittest, we have some ideas for healthy pet treats that tick all the boxes.

A normal part of your pet’s wellness exam involves looking at the condition of the teeth and gums. The presence of tartar, cracked teeth, or reddened gums can definitely lead us to suspect that bigger problems are at play. Because the damage caused by periodontal disease occurs below the gum line, however, a pet dental exam gives us greater access to understand the extent. 

Starting Early

Young animals lose their baby teeth when adult teeth grow in. A pet dental exam can be helpful to ascertain if the teeth are growing in normally. At this point, we can also help owners establish good practices at home. We can also look closely for any of the following:

Responsible pet owners know to keep up with their regularly scheduled pet wellness exams, but have you ever wondered why we want to see your pet yearly (or more often)?

Besides your pet’s yearly vaccinations (an important component of overall health), the pet wellness exam gives us a chance to establish a health baseline for your pet. Animals are genetically predisposed to hide signs of illness or injury until a condition is advanced, and an annual exam is the best way to catch and treat any problems early. Your pet’s wellness exams are tailored to your specific pet, and designed to support health and wellness through each phase of their lives.