Back to the Basics
When I was a kid, back on the farm near Macon, Illinois, we always took our dog in to the local firehouse on Rabies Clinic Day to make sure he was immunized against Rabies. Most of the cats were feral and showed up at milking time for their daily bowl of milk. Veterinarians were busy taking care of farmers’ livestock.
For the most part, pets were not a real part of regular family life. Family life has changed, since pets are now an important part of the family. There are many more veterinarians treating our pet population than treating livestock. We have found answers to the problems that plague pets. We have heartworm prevention for both dogs and cats. The first practice, in which I worked, in Little Rock, Arkansas, saw dogs with heartworms on a daily basis. The only preventative medication available had to be given every 24 hours, and any dog not receiving his daily dose was certain to become infected with heartworms. The majority of dogs and cats with distemper did not survive. Those that did survive were weakened by the virus, and frequently lived miserable lives with frequent seizures and a weak immune system. Fleas made pets miserable most of the summer and fall, and it was almost impossible to control an infestation, even by fumigating homes and spraying lawns and treating pets with sprays. Common intestinal worms, like roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms were prevalent. It was not unusual to see a puppy so weak from anemia that it would eventually die before appropriate treatment could be instituted. Many of the deworming medications were quite toxic. Tapeworm medications almost always caused cats to develop diarrhea.
Fortunately, times have changed, and safe havens from these medical conditions can be found in new medical developments, primarily during the last decade or two. New developments now allow us to provide parasite protection by giving your pet a pill, or placing a tiny amount of liquid, on his back, just once a month. Combination vaccines are available that provide up to three years of immunity. Dental care, including root canal therapy, is available to keep your pets’ teeth healthy. Nutritional studies have been performed to provide all a pet’s nutritional needs in one package.
Finally, thanks to the work of animal behaviorists, books such as Don’t Shoot the Dog, and The Culture Clash, have given us a better understanding of pet s’ emotional needs. We know that an early morning jog with your pet reinforces the human-animal bond , giving both us and our pets more satisfactory lives. So , when it comes to dogs and cats, our most common pets, exercise, proper nutrition, companionship, once-a-month parasite prevention medication, and immunizations, some of which may be administered just once every three years, is all that is needed to keep your companion happy and healthy. Those are the basics.
Larry Baker, for Ask Alex