I don’t know anybody (canine, feline, or homo sapiens) that likes doctor appointments. The other day, my mom mentioned that she got an email reminder that my sisters and I are due for our annual check-ups. I asked my mom why I have to see the vet every year. I feel fine!
Mom told me that she thinks of it as a “tune-up.” You know, like the humans do for their cars when they go in for oil changes and whatnot. The doctors are the mechanics making sure everything is in working order. Apparently it is cheaper to fix something before it actually breaks. So I guess looking at it that way, when your veterinarian listens to your heart, looks in your eyes and ears, checks your teeth and feels your belly it is like making sure nothing needs repairing before it “goes on the fritz.”
An exam also gives my parents the opportunity to talk to the vet about any habits that have changed or any new behaviors that I may have developed. Recently I’ve become a much better listener, so I’m hoping my mom makes sure to mention that to the doctor!
I asked my mom if the doctor is going to take my blood again this year. I hate needles…they freak me out. My mom said that if we don’t check my blood work, she has no idea how my organs are doing. If I’m starting to develop some sort of health problem, like thyroid or kidney disease, it’s a lot easier to manage those issues if we catch them early. Mom promised to give me a treat after the blood draw, which makes me feel better about it.
Besides the fact that you will have a well-maintained body, the state law requires an exam every 12 months, in order to maintain the doctor/patient relationship between me and my vet. If I go longer than 12 months without an exam, my vet can’t prescribe me any medications or perform any telemedicine appointments. I get allergies every summer and I take an allergy medication. Let me tell you, the itchiness is awful! I couldn’t imagine going without my allergy pills! My mom told me that human medicine works the same way. I am sure that going to the doctor every year isn’t high on everyone’s favorite things to do, but it is required in order to get refills on medications to keep us humming along.
Well, my mom convinced me that an annual check-up is a good idea, and I get to see the vet later this month. For all of you pets out there that dread vet appointments… I encourage you to look at an annual visit with the doc as a chance to keep your kitty motors purring and the canines firing on all cylinders!
Later,
Linda Lou ~ the finely tuned Blog Dog
Mom told me that she thinks of it as a “tune-up.” You know, like the humans do for their cars when they go in for oil changes and whatnot. The doctors are the mechanics making sure everything is in working order. Apparently it is cheaper to fix something before it actually breaks. So I guess looking at it that way, when your veterinarian listens to your heart, looks in your eyes and ears, checks your teeth and feels your belly it is like making sure nothing needs repairing before it “goes on the fritz.”
An exam also gives my parents the opportunity to talk to the vet about any habits that have changed or any new behaviors that I may have developed. Recently I’ve become a much better listener, so I’m hoping my mom makes sure to mention that to the doctor!
I asked my mom if the doctor is going to take my blood again this year. I hate needles…they freak me out. My mom said that if we don’t check my blood work, she has no idea how my organs are doing. If I’m starting to develop some sort of health problem, like thyroid or kidney disease, it’s a lot easier to manage those issues if we catch them early. Mom promised to give me a treat after the blood draw, which makes me feel better about it.
Besides the fact that you will have a well-maintained body, the state law requires an exam every 12 months, in order to maintain the doctor/patient relationship between me and my vet. If I go longer than 12 months without an exam, my vet can’t prescribe me any medications or perform any telemedicine appointments. I get allergies every summer and I take an allergy medication. Let me tell you, the itchiness is awful! I couldn’t imagine going without my allergy pills! My mom told me that human medicine works the same way. I am sure that going to the doctor every year isn’t high on everyone’s favorite things to do, but it is required in order to get refills on medications to keep us humming along.
Well, my mom convinced me that an annual check-up is a good idea, and I get to see the vet later this month. For all of you pets out there that dread vet appointments… I encourage you to look at an annual visit with the doc as a chance to keep your kitty motors purring and the canines firing on all cylinders!
Later,
Linda Lou ~ the finely tuned Blog Dog
