The mere thought of your pet developing an illness probably fills you with fear. Unfortunately, animals can contract various diseases that pose a risk to their health, happiness, and lifespan. For example, they might develop heartworm, cancer, ear infections, and bladder or urinary tract disease, to name a few conditions.
Ensure your cat, dog, or another animal lives a long, healthy life by learning how to keep your pet disease free.
Wash Your Hands Regularly
Humans have a responsibility to wash their hands regularly to prevent diseases from spreading to their pets or loved ones. For example, you must wash your hands after handling dry, canned, or raw pet food or treats, as they can contain bacteria that may cause humans and pets to become sick.
Take Your Pet for Essential Vaccines
Protect your pet by ensuring it receives any essential vaccinations. A simple vaccine could prevent one of the following diseases:
- Distemper
- Heartworm
- Lyme disease
- Rabies
- Intestinal worms
- Bordetella
- Parvovirus
A vet will recommend vaccines based on the type of pet you own, their risk of specific diseases, and their location. Keeping updated with your pet’s vaccines doesn’t need to be expensive or time-consuming, as you could find affordable, flexible veterinary services near you. For example, you can receive walk-in or scheduled appointments with these veterinarians in the villages Florida to ensure a pet receives the appropriate care and vaccines.
Visit a Vet for a Cough
An occasional cough is normal for cats and dogs, as they might do it to clear their throats of dirt, dust, or germs. Also, a cat might cough to remove an unwanted hairball. However, a persistent cough isn’t normal and shouldn’t be ignored. It could be a sign of a more serious health issue in dogs, such as:
- Heart failure
- Canine influenza
- Canine infectious respiratory disease
- Heartworm disease
Also, a consistent cough in cats might be due to heartworm disease or asthma. If your pet has a regular cough, visit your veterinarian as soon as possible for a diagnosis and treatment.
Use Vet-Recommended Preventative Medications
Fleas and ticks aren’t only annoying for your cat or dog, but they can carry various diseases. For example, ticks can cause Lyme disease, rocky mountain spotted fever, or anaplasmosis. Yet, you can use over-the-counter and prescription preventative medications to prevent parasites and, in turn, diseases. Talk to a vet about the best flea and tick collars, oral medications, and topical products for your dog or cat.
Understand the Danger of Wildlife
It is crucial to keep your pets away from wild animals as much as possible, as they can carry diseases your pet may not be vaccinated against. Keep your dog on a leash when outdoors to prevent contact with raccoons, possums, bats, rats, and squirrels. Also, avoid hand-feeding wildlife and ensure you wash your hands after spending time outdoors, especially if visiting areas where wildlife droppings are present. It can prevent bacteria from spreading between you and your pet or from human to human.
