Besides Animal Pain Awareness Month, September also presents Responsible Dog Ownership Month!
Besides Animal Pain Awareness Month, September also presents Responsible Dog Ownership Month! While we can be responsible pet parents, the truth is that we all make mistakes. Unfortunately, those mistakes can block your relationship with your pet pal. In honor of Responsible Dog Ownership Month, Mount Carmel Animal Hospital has listed multiple ways to be the most excellent pet owner you can be!
Wellness Care for Your Pet
Many pet owners believe that visits to the veterinarian should only be when their pets are sick. While you should take your pet pal to visit a professional if you suspect they are unwell, the vets at Mount Carmel Animal Hospital will also make sure that your pet doesn’t get sick in the first place. To celebrate Responsible Dog Ownership Month, let’s explore how you can provide the best wellness care for your pet.
Stay Up-to-Date on Pet Vaccinations
You not only protect your pet when you vaccinate them against common animal diseases. You also help minimize the exposure to these diseases for animals that are too sick or young to receive the vaccines. Puppies and kittens should get a series of shots starting when they reach 8 weeks of age. Adult dogs will receive annual vaccines based on their lifestyles and needs. When you bring your pet in, we will discuss the best plan for your fur baby with you.
Sometimes, you might not feel an annual visit to the vet is necessary when your pet is healthy. However, the yearly exam is the ideal time to update your furry friend’s vaccinations so they will be ready for the following year. Mount Carmel Animal Hospital can assist you in ensuring that your pet’s vaccinations are up-to-date to prevent disease transmission. Even if your pet pal is not due for vaccines, that annual visit can also help us identify minor problems before they become significant ones. Our vets will examine your pet from the tip of the nose to the tip of the toes, making sure no early signs of potential problems are missed.
Benefits of Spaying/Neutering Your Furry Friend
Millions of unwanted animals are euthanized annually. Fortunately, responsible pet parents can make a difference. You will do your part to prevent the birth of unwanted kittens and puppies when you sterilize your dog or cat.
Additionally, spaying and neutering protect against health problems such as cancer and can minimize many behavioral issues linked with the mating instinct. The good news is that any procedure does not impact your pet’s intelligence or ability to play, learn, work, or hunt.
Identifying Lost Pets with Microchips
A microchip is a way of permanent identification that can reunite you with your beloved pet should they ever get lost. When scanned, a chip provides a unique identification number specific to your furry friend, which allows the microchip company to provide your information for reunification. Moreover, microchip insertion is fast and easy with no need for general anesthesia or sedation.
Dental Care for Pets
What can happen to your pet’s mouth without consistent dog dental care? Dental diseases in dogs and cats are pretty prevalent. It impacts your pet’s teeth, gums, and structures that surround and support your pet’s teeth. It begins with plaque buildup, such as food particles and bacteria on their teeth. Plaque that lingers on the teeth hardens and converts into tartar. When tartar is above your pet’s gumline, we can eliminate it quickly during a professional dental cleaning. Otherwise, tartar below the gum line is serious and can lead to severe dental problems and pain.
Ultimately, excellent dental care for pets is critical to their overall health to prevent the following:
- Tooth loss
- Bad breath
- Oral pain
- Organ damage
- Worsening dental diseases
Here at Mount Carmel Animal Hospital, We’ll Treat Your Pets Like Family!
Mount Carmel Animal Hospital has been serving the Northern Baltimore/Southern York community for over 30 years and is proud to be an independently operated, small animal practice committed to excellence in veterinary medicine and client service. From grooming to wellness services, along with Canine Life Skills Training Courses, and surgical procedures, we have the expertise that will best serve the needs of you and your pet. Contact us at 410-343-0200 and follow us on Facebook!