Stronger Paws, Fewer Worries

Pet health and well-being depend on various factors such as nutrition, exercise, enrichment, routine vaccinations, regular deworming, external parasite control, and regular veterinary check-ups.

Pillars of Pet Wellness

Routine veterinary checkup

Annual check-ups for pets under 6 years of age, and biannual check-ups for pets above 6 years of age, are vital to identify, assess, and address any sickness, diseases, conditions, ailments, etc, which can lead to a better, healthier, longer life for your pet.

Vouching for Vaccinations

Vaccines protect our furry friends from various bacterial and viral infections. Such infections can be life-threatening at times. Vaccines can be provided by your registered veterinarian to your pet. Depending upon your pet’s age, location, and other factors, vaccines can differ. Get in touch with your vet for the best advice.

Parasite Control

Parasites can be external and internal. Internal parasites include various worms such as roundworms, tapeworms, and flatworms. External parasites are several mites, ticks, fleas, etc. Routinely administer deworming and tick flea control to prevent parasites and prevent their spread.

Say ‘YES’ to Neutering

It’s a surgical procedure in which the sexual organs of your pet are removed. It is done to prevent unwanted litters, remove the risk of uterine and ovarian infections, cysts and tumours in females, along with reducing risks of mammary gland tumours. In males, it prevents testicular tumour, prostate enlargement, tumour, and abscess, along with signs of aggression. The ideal age to neuter a male dog is between 1 and 5years of age, and a female dog before 2 years of age.

Nutrition Nuances

A balanced meal consisting of appropriate portions of protein, fibre, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and fats can support your pet with a good coat, a healthy gut, and a powerful immune system. Meals should be tailored according to your pet’s age, gender, breed, and neutering status.

Cut Toxins = Wagging Care

Many of our human food and medicine items are toxic to our furry friends. Consumption of such items by our pets can cause organ/multi-organ failure in them. Such items include paracetamol, chocolate, raisins, grapes, xylitol, onions, garlic, etc.

Blueprint for a Healthy Pet – Daily Exercise

Physical exercise is a must for our pets. It not only improves their bones, joints, and muscles but also their mental well-being. It prevents obesity and hormonal imbalances and improves digestion. Exercise includes routine play time, walks, swimming, etc.

Enrichment and Socialization

Training sessions using multiple toys and puzzles help them to prevent boredom and avoid destructive behaviour. Socializing pets with other humans and pets increases their trust, reduces anxiety, and behavioural issues. It helps our furry pets to be mentally engaged and be docile.

Golden Rule – Grooming is Good

Regular baths remove dirt and debris from the coat, making it clean and lustrous. It also prevents skin infections and eradicates ticks and fleas. Daily brushing/combing of fur removes dead hair from the coat, prevents matting of the coat, increases skin blood circulation, and aids in new growth of fur. Routinely clipping nails, cleaning of ears, and trimming of fur prevent infections.

Healthy Habits, Happy Hounds

• Diet: Preferably give dog food and not home-cooked food for puppies under 1 year of age. Later, a customised diet plan can be formulated by your veterinarian. Supplements like vitamins, calcium, probiotics, etc., play an important role.
• Deworming: Every month until 6 months of age, then every 3 months.
• Bath: No bath until 4 months of age. Only sponge with warm water or puppy wipes. No human antiseptics to be added to sponging water.
• Foods to avoid: Chickoo, grapes, garlic, onion, chocolate, mushroom, resins, citrus fruits, beverages, lily plants, paracetamol, crocin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, ibugesic, human pain killers

Decoding the Silent Signals of Pet Sickness

• Reduced appetite for more than 24 hours
• Reduced water intake
• Avoiding activity like walking or playing
• Minimal interactions with the family
• Sitting in corners / isolated
• Difficulty in limb movement
• Physical signs such as vomiting, diarrhoea, red eyes, open mouth breathing, reduced weight, bloating, lumps/masses, rash, focal hair loss

Shielding Your Pet from Common Ailments

• Infectious Diseases: Rabies, Canine Distemper, Parvoviral gastroenteritis, Leptospirosis, Feline Panleucopenia, Feline Calcivirus. Such diseases can be prevented by regular vaccinations.
• Parasitic Diseases: Blood parasite diseases commonly referred to as tick can easily be prevented by routine tick and flea control, along with other diseases such as flea bite dermatitis, alopecia, erythema, and itching.
• Dental Issues: Poor oral health is the leading cause of tartar and gingivitis in pets, which can lead to serious health issues. It can be prevented by training your pet from a young age to brush.
• Obesity: Faulty diet and lack of exercise cause obesity in pets, which can lead to early onset of arthritis, heart issues, and various skin diseases.
• Genetic Diseases: Few diseases are restricted to or more commonly occurring in certain breeds, such as hip dysplasia in Labrador Retrievers, atopic dermatitis in Beagles, etc. Such diseases can be managed by early screening and yearly check-ups by your vet.
• Managemental Diseases: These diseases are caused by a poor lifestyle, including inappropriate diet, lack of exercise, minimal enrichment, and include arthritis, diabetes, feline lower urinary tract disease, etc. Such diseases can be managed and prevented by making changes in daily routine.

(Dr. Malhar Joshi – BVSc & AH, PGDDUS, Veterinary Clinician, Sonologist, Surgeon & Exotic Animal Specialist, Mumbai)