Health and wellbeing | PETS
http://www.facebook.com/petsmagazine August 37
old age: take him to the vet for an annual check-
up. And the perfect time for a check-up is when
your pet gets her annual vaccinations.
“Annual vaccinations are important in their
own right — they protect your dog, cat or
rabbit against serious life-threatening diseases.
Sure, these diseases are now quite uncommon,
but this is thanks to the majority of pet owners
being diligent and proactive in having their
pets vaccinated,” Dr James says.
However, these regular check-ups for a
vaccination are about so much more than
the needle. Your vet will perform a thorough
physical examination of your pet. You can raise
any concerns or queries you may have, such as
a lump that has developed on your cat or the
occasional cough your dog has.
“Your vet may pick up something you hadn’t
noticed, such as dental disease in your rabbit
or a heart murmur in your dog. For the aged
pet, six-monthly check-ups are a good idea,
especially if they are on regular medication that
may require blood or urine testing to monitor
systemic health such as kidney or liver function,”
Dr James explains.Regular social interaction is crucial for a horse.Helping your horseHelping your horse
What are some of the simple
things you can do to help your
pet horse stay happy and healthy
well into old age?- Always provide plenty of fresh,
clean water - Give your horse a diet high in fi bre
and choose a feed that’s right for his
age, health condition and lifestyle - Horses are constant grazers, so
make sure your pet has ample
chance to follow this natural instinct
-^ Regular exercise will help your pet
stay at a healthy weight, stave off
many health problems and generally
help their mental wellbeing - Always look after your horse’s
hooves and legs — remember,
these animals spend most of their
time standing up - Regular social interaction is crucial
for any horse, whether it’s
spending quality time with you
or with other horses - Make sure your horse has regular
check-ups with an equine vet
you trust
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