Things To Ask Your Louisville, KY Veterinarian 

Do you have an appointment at our animal clinic soon? While it’s probably safe to say that your furry friend would probably rather stay home and take yet another nap, regular visits are crucial to your pet’s health and well-being. This is also a great time to get some personalized care advice that can help you keep your beloved pet happy and healthy for as long as possible. As your Louisville, KY veterinarians, we are always happy to answer questions!

Here are a few things you may want to enquire about:

What Sort Of Food Should I Give My Pet?

While we are happy to offer suggestions on things like brand and ingredients, your furry pal ultimately is going to need a personalized menu. You don’t need to break the bank on pet food, but you should make sure that your pet is getting a good, nourishing food that meets their specific needs and is appropriate for their age, health, and lifestyle.

We do have a few tips on this:

Get into the habit of reading labels. Pick things that contain ingredients you can actually identify. For dogs and cats, meat, fish, or poultry should be listed first on the label. Avoid things with long lists of unidentifiable ingredients.

Always make changes slowly, over the course of several days.

Check back with your vet on this regularly, as your pet’s needs will change over time.

How Much Exercise Does My Pet Need?

This one really applies more to dogs. Cats more or less self-regulate their workouts. (They also consider catching Zs to be a legit form of exercise, but that’s another topic.)

Doggy workout needs vary tremendously from pup to pup. Size is one factor. A Chihuahua may get all the activity they need just running around on those tiny legs. A Golden Retriever may need an hour or even more of vigorous activity daily.

Size isn’t the only thing that comes into play here. Your pet’s breed and physiology also matter. Brachys, such as pugs, should never be encouraged to run, jump, or swim: because of their short airways, they lose their breath very quickly. Jumping and standing can also be unsafe for bigger dogs.

Of course, that isn’t to say that kitties and other animals don’t need exercise. However, play is typically the norm for them. 

What Vaccinations Does My Pet Need?

Pets are susceptible to a variety of illnesses and diseases. There’s no way to protect your pet against every potential threat, but there are vaccinations available for many of the most common ones.

We generally recommend that all dogs and cats get the core vaccines.

Core vaccines for dogs

• Canine distemper virus (CDV):
• Canine adenovirus (CAV):
• Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV‐2):
• Rabies

Core vaccines for cats 

• Feline parvovirus (FPV)
• Feline calicivirus (FCV
• Feline herpesvirus‐1 (FHV‐1)

Your Louisville, KY vet may also recommend non-core vaccines. The Bordetella vaccine is typically required by kennels, airlines, groomers, and daycares, so that is often recommended. Other non-core vaccines your pet may benefit from include the lepto vaccine, rattlesnake vaccines, and various others.

How Are My Pet’s Teeth?

Dental health is just as important for pets as it is for people. Fluffy and Fido can’t clean their own choppers, and they can’t schedule cleanings or other dental care. However, issues such as abscesses, gum disease, cracked or broken teeth, infections, and misalignments can cause excruciating pain, and can lead to serious infections.

In addition to having your vet check your pet’s teeth, you may want to get some tips on home care.

Does My Pet Need Preventatives?

Parasites such as fleas, ticks, and heartworms may be small, but they can cause big problems. Some infestations can even be life-threatening. In some cases, your pet may need to be tested before being started on a specific regimen. Heartworm is an example of this. The products that prevent infestations do not kill live worms, so if Fido is already infected, he would need a treatment regime rather than simple preventatives.

We really can’t overstate the importance of a good preventative care regimen. It’s cheaper, easier, and more effective to protect your pet from harmful parasites and diseases than it is to treat them. It’s also much easier on your furry pal.

Should I Enroll My Pet In Wellness Care Plans Or Insurance?

Wellness plans and insurance work well together, but they aren’t the same thing. Insurance is geared at helping cover the costs of unexpected illnesses and injuries. Wellness plans are set up to balance out the cost of regular preventative care. Your vet can be a great source of information on this.

How Often Should I Bathe My Pet?

Pets’ bathing and grooming needs also vary quite a bit. A pooch with short, sleek fur may only need to be bathed once or twice a month, whereas one with thick hair may need more frequent baths. You don’t want to either overbathe or underbathe: both can cause discomfort, itching, and skin problems.

Your vet can also offer you tips on grooming products and techniques, and can let you know if your pet requires any medical grooming procedures, such as anal gland expression.

Is My Pet At A Good Weight?

Sometimes it’s really easy to tell if a pet is overweight or underweight. If Fido or Fluffy are, well, round, there’s a pretty good chance that they may be a bit chubby. On the other end of the spectrum, a pet with clearly visible ribs may need to gain weight. There’s also quite a bit of middle ground here, where you may not really be sure if your furry pal is overweight, underweight, or just right.

A note on this: sudden, unexplained weight loss or gain can be a warning sign of illness or disease. If your four-legged pal is suddenly getting bigger or smaller and you aren’t sure why, it’s definitely something to mention.

What Health Issues Is My Pet At Risk Of?

Pets can also be genetically predisposed to certain conditions. For instance, pups with white coats are more susceptible to vision and hearing loss. German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers are among the breeds that are at risk of hip dysplasia, while pugs can be prone to eye injuries. Find out if there is anything that your furry pal is at elevated risk of developing.

Keep in mind that while breed is a huge factor here, it isn’t the only thing to consider. Your furry friend’s history also matters. For instance, pets that have been given steroids may be at higher risk of developing diabetes, while a pet that had a broken paw as a puppy may be at risk of arthritis.

Why Does My Pet ____? 

We left this one blank because there’s almost no end to the possible variations here. And to be honest, we may not be able to tell you why your cat eats wallpaper or why your dog hates getting his paws wet. That said, we do know quite a bit about our patients, and may very well be able to shed some light on their adorable—and often hilarious—quirks. 

Make An Appointment At Our Louisville, KY Pet Hospital

Is your beloved pet due for an exam, vaccinations, or parasite control? Are you looking for a great veterinary clinic in Louisville, KY? Please do not hesitate to contact us. As your local pet hospital, we are here to help.