By Julie Damron may 14, 2011 12:01 AM

Statistically, in both human and animal medicine, preventive care has a higher ratio of positive outcomes than reactive. in addition, early detection and treatment of disease or illness provide a much higher comfort level for people and their pets. it is also a less costly way to care for yourself and your companions. think about it: If you identify a problem early on, it is less advanced, and there are fewer complications. the sooner treatment is initiated, the greater the likelihood of a good recovery, and the less likely there will be secondary illnesses.

There are several disease processes that I see in practice on a daily basis in which the clients who participate in preventive efforts for their companions not only greatly improve the quality of life for their dogs and cats but also greatly minimize their veterinary expenses.

Heartworm prevention is often neglected. Heartworm is a life-threatening disease that is passed to both dogs and cats from mosquitoes. it is an issue in our area, and indoor pets also are at risk. There is no treatment for cats. for dogs, the treatment involves the use of arsenic, and is risky and costly. Patients need to be strictly cage-confined for several weeks following medications. for a large breed dog, treatment is almost $2,000. A year of preventive care with Heartgard for a small dog is about $55. That is less than $5 per month. for a large dog, it is less than $7 a month. Trifexis is another preventive option – it is oral and also includes flea protection. these same products also protect against some internal parasites.

Routine exams at least once a year for every pet are really important. in addition to identifying disease in the early stages, this also helps to make sure your companion is receiving appropriate care for his or her particular life stage. As your companion becomes a senior, twice-yearly evaluations as well as laboratory panels are recommended. Remember that animals age much faster than we do, and changes in organ systems can happen rapidly. Animals, especially cats, are very good at hiding illness. often you will not see symptoms of a problem until it is advanced. it is all about identifying issues in the early stages, because early detection of illness leads to better outcomes.

Dental care is a huge problem in veterinary medicine, with 80 percent of patients having some level of dental disease. it often goes undetected, and many clients are fearful of having their pets sedated for dental cleanings. Dental disease is not just confined to the mouth. As oral infections progress, bacteria from the mouth goes into the bloodstream and affects organs such as the kidney, liver and heart. There are some easy steps you can take today to help prevent your dog or cat from developing significant dental disease. first, feed a high-quality diet and eliminate or limit people food. A good diet will leave less residue on the teeth. Provide some level of routine oral care; there are many options available including brushing; treats and chews; oral drops and rinses; oral paste; and products to add to water. Schedule dental cleanings at the earliest point that this procedure is recommended. When a cleaning is done early on in the disease process, the anesthetic time is shorter, extractions are less likely, and it slows down the progression of oral pathology so your cherished companion experiences less pain overall.

Do not feed your pets people food. This is a common practice that frequently results in vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and generalized digestive upset. Blood work and X-rays are commonly taken. Antibiotics and a bland diet are common treatments. Many patients have to be hospitalized for pancreatitis and other problems. This is a lot to spend and have your companion go through because he or she shared your holiday ham.

Not only is important to try to prevent disease, but also to act quickly when a problem arises. This helps minimize the chance of secondary illnesses and provides comfort for your dog and/or cat as soon as possible. again, when problems are treated in the early stages, there is a much greater chance for a positive outcome. By acting on problems in the early stages, you often minimize costs because often a shorter cycle of treatment is needed. Please remember that options such as Care Credit exist to help you pay for medical care over time for several months without interest. Please visit their website for more information: CareCredit.com.

Acting now really pays off in the long run. Your pets are depending on you for their care. With small changes, you can give them the best chance for a long, high-quality life.

Julie Damron is a veterinarian at Sierra Veterinary Clinic in Stockton. Contact her at .

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