Cats and dogs should have a health check-up at least once a year!
Veterinarian Burcu Çevreli gave important warnings about pet care, vaccination, obesity, parasite treatment and hair care. Emphasizing that vaccination programs should not be neglected, Veterinarian Burcu Çevreli stated that neglects made for economic reasons may cause the emergence of infectious diseases and said that "Routine check-ups that are not done can cause a high cost for animal owners."
Veterinarian Burcu Çevreli, Responsible Director of Üsküdar University Experimental Research Unit (ÜSKÜDAB), shared the details that need to be considered about pet care.
A furry friend brings lifelong commitment...
Veterinarian Burcu Çevreli said that pet ownership starts with proper animal care tips and stated that "When you get a furry friend, you should understand that you are committed to an additional family member for life. You should know that your pet depends on you for its health and care. The unconditional love and happiness that pets bring to our lives outweighs the additional responsibilities that come with having a furry baby in your home."
A health check-up at least once or twice a year is a must!
Çevreli warned that "Vet visits are part of pet care. It is the pet owner's responsibility to make regular visits to the veterinarian, when necessary” and explained that pets should undergo a health check at least once or twice a year since the life span of the dog or cat is shorter than humans, and when the pet is young, veterinarian visits should be done more frequently depending on the vaccination schedule.
Treats can cause obesity!
Stating that regular veterinary check-ups are essential for the healthy development of pets, Veterinarian Burcu Çevreli said that "Do not forget to give them enough food in the care of your pets. Obesity can be caused by overfeeding your pet or giving too many treats. This can lead to heart failure, kidney problems, and other health problems for pets. Your pet will remain healthy by providing clean drinking water."
Life-saving benefits of vaccines have been proven
Reminding that vaccination is one of the most common veterinary procedures performed in small animal applications, Veterinarian Burcu Çevreli stated that "In the last 50 years, vaccines have proven to have life-saving benefits with minimal risks. Vaccination schedules have not only played an important role in the prevention of infectious diseases but have also helped to support the early detection and treatment of other diseases by encouraging regular clinical examinations throughout the animal's life."
Vaccinations should not be neglected for economic reasons!
Referring to the neglect in vaccination caused by economic reasons, Çevreli stated that "Our four-legged friends may cause infectious diseases to occur and even some diseases may pass on to humans and deteriorate environmental health if the number of vaccinated pets decreases due to economic reasons."
Treatment of both internal and external parasites should not be neglected!
Emphasizing the need for both internal and external parasite treatment in pets, Veterinarian Burcu Çevreli said that "External and internal parasites can cause significant pathologies if left untreated in pets. It is recommended to periodically treat pets against both internal (worms) and external parasites (fleas, ticks, mites), considering their individual living conditions. These treatments are recommended because they improve animal health and welfare and help minimize risks to human health in the event of zoonotic infections (transmitted from animals to humans)."
Cats and dogs should be given regular hair care...
Pointing out that the condition of the hair of dogs and cats is affected by factors such as genetics, environmental conditions, nutrition, health problems and care, Veterinarian Burcu Çevreli stated that "Dogs and cats have a variety of fur lengths and textures developed from climatic conditions as well as human intervention through selective breeding practices. Pets that are not regularly groomed can become itchy, smelly, matted, and the pet may feel miserable. Pet owners complain about common problems with pet hair, such as shedding, matted hair, or hairballs, which can be common in cats. Regular weekly grooming (more often for long-haired or heavy-haired pets) requires gently brushing and combing pets in the direction where their hair grows. The skin of our pets is different from humans; therefore, animal-specific products should be used for skin care."
Routine check-ups that is not done can cause high costs!
Stating that the regular vaccination protocol and the vaccines to be used should be determined within the relationship of the veterinarian patient, Veterinarian Burcu Çevreli said that "The decision should be determined according to factors such as the health status of the individual animal, the age of the animal and the possible effects of antibodies transferred from its mother, the environmental risks for the specific disease and animal, and the duration of immunity of existing vaccines. When puppies and kittens are born, they are usually protected from infection thanks to their mother's milk, provided they are regularly vaccinated. However, since this protection only lasts for a few weeks, they need regular vaccinations from an early age. Older pets also need protection, as their immunity may decrease. Until your pet's vaccinations are completed, you should protect him against the risk of infection from the street. Routine check-ups that is not done can also cause a high cost for animal owners."
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)