Whether your four-legged friend is due for a routine wellness exam or is exhibiting strange symptoms, having a trusted veterinarian by your side can help keep your pet healthy and happy. But since all animals are different, it’s important for pet owners to stay engaged during every appointment. To ensure your companion is getting the best level of care, here are a few essential questions to ask during your next visit to the animal clinic.

What Pet Owners Should Ask Their Vets

1. Is My Animal Due for Vaccines?

Kittens and puppies receive a variety of critical vaccines designed to prevent a number of deadly diseases, including rabies, distemper, and parvovirus. But apart from these initial shots, many of these vaccinations require boosters to ensure that the animal is fully protected. Apart from vaccines, also be sure to ask if there are any other preventive health solutions your pet should have, such as those that protect against fleas, ticks, and heartworms.  

2. What Preventive Screenings Should My Pet Have?

Preventive screenings can detect many different problems that put your pet’s health at risk. For example, certain blood tests can find early warning signs of heartworm infection, cancer, while urinalysis can detect early clues of kidney or liver problems.  

3. How’s My Pet’s Diet?

There are many different reasons why your pet’s diet may need to change throughout their life. For example, older pets often need to eat differently to supplement nutrients they may be missing, such as glucosamine, to support joint health. Or, if your animal is overweight, your veterinarian may recommend a different type of pet food to help them shed excess pounds.

4. Is My Pet Getting Enough Exercise?

Proper exercise is critical to keeping your companion at a healthy weight and ensuring that their muscles and bones remain strong. Review your pet’s fitness routine with your vet to make sure they’re staying active enough and to find out if there are any additional activities they should be doing.

5. Should I Be Concerned About My Animal’s Behavior?

When your pet exhibits any strange behaviors—such as aggression—an underlying health problem may be to blame. If the behavioral problem isn’t linked to a health condition, your veterinarian may recommend different training solutions to help them feel at ease.

Whether you’re curious about any of the above questions or have other pet health concerns, Woodworth Animal Hospital in Augusta County, VA,  is here to give you the answers you need. Serving Shenandoah Valley pet parents for more than 78 years, this veterinary clinic is equipped to provide both routine and emergency medical care for cats, dogs, reptiles, birds, and other small animals.  To learn more about the compassionate and gentle care these veterinarians provide, visit the clinic online. For appointments, call their office at (540) 942-5163.