HOW DOES YOUR PET AFFECT YOUR HEALTH(Part-2)

In last week’s article (if you still haven’t read it ,no problemo!) I wrote about the goodness brought by pets to the owner’s health. In this article I’ll tell you about some precautionary measures to take while handling a pet. We all adore our furry little friends and goldfish, but in that excitement we sometimes forget to perform the important steps to maintain their health.

So here goes:

1.Lets start small, with fishes! In case you want to get fishes as pets, there are a few things you should keep in mind. For a goldfish a minimal tank size of 10 US Gallons is required. More the number of fishes, bigger the tank. Use gravel which won’t stick in the fish’s throat. And buy a good water filter for the tank, preferably Hang On Back or Canister filter. Clean the tank at least once every two weeks.

2. If an orphaned pup can’t melt your heart,then I don’t know what could!But before bringing the little darling home we first have to do certain things.Vaccinations are a critical part of dog’s preventive health care.There are two types of vaccinations;core (against Distemper, Hepatitis, Rabies) and non-core (against Kennel cough, Lyme disease, Leptospirosis). We need to take the dog to a veterinarian and discuss about its vaccination timetable; consisting of booster shots usually spread over a span of three years. Dogs infected with diseases can transmit it to us if they bite.Hence we can’t afford to miss this step.

3. There is nothing worse for a pet owner than having a home infested with fleas. As the warmer summer months arrive and the risk of a flea invasion increases. The first thing to do is make sure that your pets receive regular flea treatment. This could consist of flea collars, medications, or topical treatments like sprays and powders. Regular vacuuming can help to suck up any eggs hidden in the carpets, and it is also a good idea to wash your pet’s bed regularly to kill any fleas and eggs that it may be harboring. A good wash every once in a while will also be a good preventive measure. Pets are commonly allergic to fleas and can develop significant skin irritation from scratching. Ticks can pass infectious diseases when they bite.

4. Get your pet a bi-annual exam; your veterinarian will conduct a complete physical exam to check your pet’s condition from nose to tail. They will check everything from your pet’s heart and breathing to their ears, mouth and skin during this process. In addition to this there are tests for blood panel, feces, EKG, X-ray etc.

5. Heartworm disease is passed by mosquito bites and is fatal if not treated. Both cats and dogs are susceptible and there is no treatment for affected cats. However, there are several medication options that are safe and are completely effective in preventing this disease.Finally, intestinal parasites can be a problem at any stage of a pet’s life. Routine fecal examinations and deworming treatments can keep serious medical problems to a minimum.