Pet health topics — dogs and cats

Preventive exams — what they actually do

An annual or twice-yearly exam is the single most useful thing you can do for a healthy dog or cat. The vet listens to the heart and lungs, checks the teeth and gums, palpates the abdomen, examines the eyes and ears, and looks at the skin and coat. The exam catches things an owner usually misses — a heart murmur that started three months ago, a tooth that needs extraction before it becomes painful, a small lump on the skin.

For older pets (about seven years and up for dogs, ten for cats), twice-yearly exams are the norm because small changes accumulate faster. Bloodwork is often added at that point to track kidney, liver, and thyroid values over time.

Common surgical procedures

Spaying and neutering are the most common surgeries for dogs and cats, and they are routine — most healthy young animals go home the same day. Other procedures vets commonly perform include:

• Dental extractions — teeth that are cracked, infected, or showing resorption (common in cats) are removed under anesthesia.
• Mass removals — lumps on or under the skin are biopsied or removed, especially if they're growing or changing color.
• Foreign body removal — pets that swallow objects (socks, toys, bones) sometimes need surgery if the object won't pass on its own.
• Cruciate ligament repair — a knee injury common in dogs; the surgery is more involved and recovery takes weeks.

Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is standard before any surgery, even a routine one. It confirms the liver and kidneys are processing the anesthetic drugs normally.

Dental care — the under-treated problem

Dental disease is one of the most common — and most under-treated — health problems in adult dogs and cats. By age three, most pets have some degree of tartar buildup, gum inflammation, or both. Left untreated, dental disease leads to tooth loss, pain, and bacterial spread to the heart, liver, and kidneys.

The gold standard is a professional cleaning under anesthesia, including full-mouth X-rays. Home care between cleanings helps a lot: brushing is the most effective, but dental chews, water additives, and prescription dental diets are reasonable adjuncts for pets that won't tolerate brushing.

Microchipping

A microchip is a small implant placed under the skin between the shoulder blades. It carries a unique ID number that any vet clinic or shelter can scan to look up your contact information. It does not replace a collar and tags — those are still the fastest way for a finder to reach you — but it is a reliable backup if the collar comes off.

The most common failure mode is keeping your contact information out of date when you move or change phone numbers. The chip is useless if the registry has the wrong address.

When to see a vet — the easy rules

Most "should I take them in?" calls have a clearer answer than people think. Call or go in if your pet:

• Has not eaten for more than 24 hours (less for kittens, puppies, or small dogs).
• Is vomiting repeatedly, has diarrhea with blood, or both.
• Is straining to urinate, especially a male cat — this can be a urinary blockage and is a true emergency.
• Has been hit by a car, attacked by another animal, or fallen from a height, even if they seem fine.
• Has eaten something known to be toxic — chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, onions, lilies (cats), ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or any medication not prescribed to them.
• Has pale gums, sudden lethargy, trouble breathing, or a sudden swollen belly.

When in doubt, call your vet's office. Most have an after-hours line that connects to an emergency clinic. The phone call is free and the answer is usually either "you're fine to monitor at home" or "come in now."