An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Preventative care is more effective, far safer, and more cost-effective than treatment. Here, your Georgetown, IN veterinarian goes over the basics of preventative healthcare for your dog or cat.

Pest Control

Is your pet on medications to protect against ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, and worms like heartworm and roundworm? This is an essential preventative care measure, because eradicating the infestations and infections these critters cause can be difficult. It’s much better for your pet to be protected against them initially; call your vet’s office if your pet needs these medications.

Vaccination

Have your pet vaccinated early on in life to prevent dangerous illnesses like parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, leukemia, parainfluenza, and rabies. It’s far easier—and less expensive—to avoid these diseases in the first place rather than treat them. If you’ve recently adopted a young pet, or if you have an older pet who needs vaccinated, contact your vet’s office promptly to get an appointment set up.

Quality Diet and Regular Exercise

We don’t often think of diet and exercise as preventative healthcare measures, but they are just that. Feeding your pet a high-quality food throughout their lifetime is one of the best ways to keep all body parts and functions healthy. Having them exercise on a regular basis is key for staving off obesity, keeping the body fit, and maintaining mental stimulation and good behavior. Talk to your vet for specific recommendations on your cat or dog’s dietary needs and exercise routine.

Spay or Neuter

Having your pet spayed or neutered early on in life is about more than preventing unwanted litters and helping to control the homeless pet population (although it works perfectly to those ends, too!). Pets who remain intact are far more likely to be diagnosed with genital cancers or other forms of cancer, like prostate and breast cancer. UTIs and other common ailments are also more likely in pets who haven’t been spayed or neutered. If your pet needs the procedure performed, call your vet’s office to schedule the surgery.

Veterinary Visits

Don’t forget: another key part of ongoing preventative healthcare and overall wellness is regular visits to the vet’s office. Your veterinarian can keep your pet’s overall health in tip-top shape when they see your animal friend regularly. Contact your Georgetown, IN animal clinic today—we’re here to serve all of your pet care needs!