When does my pet need a vet?
Janet Jackson admits she has occasionally thought her pets had medical emergencies when, in reality, they didn’t. “Oh, yes, the last one was with the puppy when she lost a tooth and I thought she had broken it off,” says the Robinson Township cat and dog owner. “Another time, I had a dog that was older and clearly not feeling well. So I took her to the vet and they couldn’t find anything, yet believed something was wrong. Fortunately, in a day or two, she perked up.”
North Franklin Township resident Jeannie Sexauer saw her dog holding up her leg and didn’t think much of it until she mentioned it to her vet. “I wasn’t sure if she just pulled something or if it was more serious,” recalls Sexauer. “She suggested I bring her in, and I’m glad I did because she needed surgery to repair a blown out ACL.”
Though veterinarians deal with pet owners who may overreact occasionally, most say that’s not always a bad instinct. Dr. Michele Sacksteder, owner of All About Pets in Canonsburg and Washington says, “When in doubt, call. Everyone in this field cares about the health of your pet. They may be able to provide you with things to try at home to help your pet until getting to the ER or scheduling with your veterinarian.”
How do you know if Fluffy or Fido really needs to see a vet or whether it’s something minor that you can treat at home?
Dr. Sacksteder says sometimes pet owners just can’t tell. “Over the years, several clients brought their pets in because of concern over a mass,” she adds. “Some of these false masses were ticks; others were an area of fat accumulation right in front of their back legs on their back. Alternatively, other owners have brought their pets in for masses that waited too long to be seen and the mass was too large to remove completely.”
That’s why she says the best advice is to pick up the phone and ask the experts. Jackson agrees, saying, “I’ve had many trips, both planned and unplanned, to the vet. Unplanned visits have typically been because someone hasn’t eaten for a few days, not even favored treats. I think developing a positive relationship with your vet and trusting their professional opinion is key.”
Many pet owners and vets will say that knowing your pet – what is normal and what isn’t – can tell you if they are sick or not. Christina Perry of Canonsburg has two dogs and agrees. “I have the mentality that if you think something is wrong, it probably is. Don’t wait to take your pet to the vet. Waiting could mean the difference between life and death. Your dog will try to hide if something is wrong, so if you can see it, then don’t take a chance.”
Perry invests in pet health insurance and has found it is a tremendous help with pet healthcare costs. “With modern medicine, there are so many ways to treat pet ailments that didn’t exist previously,” Perry adds. “Having a good relationship with your veterinarian is crucial. Because of her expertise, we have been able to catch illness quickly and treat it successfully.”
Dr. Sacksteder regularly sees dogs for gastrointestinal upset, allergies and ear infections and cats for upper respiratory tract infections. “Another major problem that is definitely on the rise in humans and animals is Lyme Disease,” she notes. “In the past, we would have one to two cases diagnosed every year. Last year, we had 13 cases, several of which presented with high fevers, lameness and decreased appetite. This year, we have already surpassed that number.”
However, for minor ailments such as pets with upset stomachs or allergies, treating at home can save money and time. Some pet owners use over-the-counter treatments or home remedies like Vitamin E for dogs with dry skin or oatmeal for itchy skin or giving sports or pediatric drinks to replace electrolytes after diarrhea or vomiting. Dr. Sacksteder says there are many OTC products that can be used safely to treat our pets. But she warns, “There are also many products that are toxic to animals. We dose animals by pound, not by age, species or breed. Next time you are at your veterinarian’s office, ask for dosing of common medications so that if your pet becomes ill after hours, you will have an idea of what to use to help them.”
She also notes that you should always ask a veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet.
Ultimately, the best way to keep your pet healthy is to provide routine, preventative healthcare. That includes vaccinations, flea, tick and heartworm preventative products and regular physical examinations. “Our hospital also recommends bloodwork and fecal analysis at least yearly to catch disease before causing illness in our beloved patients,” notes Dr. Sacksteder. “This becomes even more important as pets age. The moral of the story is many times spending some money up front saves lots of money in the long run.”
Sexauer believes that is true. “They get their vitamins and medicine like clockwork,” she adds. “All of my dogs see the vet regularly to keep them as healthy as possible. If they do get sick, I’m right there with them doing what I can. They are my responsibility.”
The bottom line – you know your pet better than anyone else, so if you notice a change in behavior or suspect something just isn’t right, then it’s time to call your vet. That phone call can answer your questions and help you decide whether a trip to the vet is needed or even if you need to head to the pet emergency room. If you learn it’s a false alarm, you’ll be happy to know you didn’t waste time or money and be relieved that your pet is okay. n