Treat Your Pet Like You Treat Every Family Member

1. Treat Your Pet Like You Treat Every Family Member All pet owners understand that from the first moment they lay eyes on their new pup or kitten – or older animal that is re-homed for whatever reason - that a bond of love and mutual respect is quickly formed, a bond that lasts for the entire lifespan of the animal under your care. This is a great responsibility, and therefore many pet owners, rightfully so, treat that pet as another family member that deserves to be loved, to be cherished and looked after, given safety and shelter, food – and medical care when and if required. But, it is not good enough to show care and offers medical services only at those times that the animal is unwell and suffers: preventative medical care is equally important. So you take it for its first check-up when it is only a few weeks old so the little one and the vet form their important bond too. A good vet that bonds well with all those pets that come in for consultations and care is one you stay with. We choose a GP and stay with them if we trust and like them; the same should apply to you, your pet, and the vet of choice. The vet gets to know the pet, keeps its records, keeps track of its development, and is aware of any possible ailments they may be suffering from – or may be susceptible to in later years. Therefore a regular visit should be scheduled as a routine visit every so often, say, every year unless the vet thinks the pet should see them more often. During these routine check-ups the vet will check the animal’s current health, how it responds to, for example, previous treatments - and also to check them for future problems. One such example which is performed on dogs everywhere, in London, in Amsterdam, Los Angeles or Greely in Colorado concerns the so-called PennHip evaluation for signs of dysplasia which can be done on young dogs of even 4 months old as a first test to see if the dog suffers from hip looseness and maybe a future candidate for dysplasia, for example. This is often done as a preventative measure to make sure the vet picks up any early signs of possible future problems and illness.

2. The test assesses hips to make sure there are no signs of possible degenerative joint disease, and it also looks at the laxity in each of the joints. The test is an early method to predict the possibility of, for example, osteoarthritis developing later on and, if discovered early enough, there is a very good chance the vet can help prevent this by offering a procedure devised for this eventuality: it is called Juvenile Pubic Symphodiesis and is a great way to help prevent problems from developing later on. Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is one of the most common reasons for lameness in dogs’ hind legs and can, to a large extent, be avoided with early intervention, such as the PennHip consultation. It is a great service a pet owner can do for their young canine friends, much like humans go for mammograms and prostate check-ups to help prevent serious issues from developing in the future. Of course, you want to know that for PennHip and other preventative measures you are employing the services of a well-respected vet that offers, preferably, years of service to animals, experience with all issues related to their health whether preventative or about surgeries and medicines, and a good name among community members. Make sure you take your young dog for this test – and other preventative visits – so you offer your pet a good chance at a happy long life, much as we would go to the doctor to have ourselves checked regularly. About Us:At Powell Veterinary Service we offer all pet owners almost 30 years of dedicated, unrivaled service to ensure their pets remain healthy and happy. We offer a great experience and are proud of the services we offer about all aspects of animal care. We perform surgeries, we spay and neuter, we offer boarding facilities and we provide puppies for different activities that appeal to our clients. At PVS we also offer a wellness service for pets to ensure any conditions are picked up early. We are Kersey, CO-based, and serve the surrounding areas. We are available by appointment, but also for emergencies. Pets are our passion and we ensure that your animal receives excellent treatment from our practice. For more about us please visit https://powellvets.com.