The Scoop

New Year’s Resolutions from the VetScoop Team

Dr. Kwane Stewart

So, what’s the most common disease I see on a DAILY basis in our pets? It’s worth noting this is also the most neglected part of your pet’s body because it hides in plain sight, gets worse with each passing day and rarely sends any alarms that there’s a major problem lurking. 

Guesses? It’s your pet’s mouth, or periodontal disease. There are 42 little reasons in your dog (30 in your cat) to have them see their “dentist” / veterinarian and have any oral disease addressed. A bad mouth will shorten your pet’s life and cause pain along the way. Budget and plan to have that elusive dentistry in 2021 if your vet is recommending it. It’s well worth the investment!

Dr. Marta Sanchez-Emden

New Years Resolution: Pain Control

My wish for the oncoming new year is that we continue to strengthen the bond with our pets that we have fostered during this 2020 pandemic year. An unexpected benefit of all this time many of us have spent in quarantine has been the awareness of subtle signs of disease in our pets that would have otherwise been overlooked. Chronic dull pain, such as that associated with arthritis, chronic soft tissue injuries, and cancer can be easy to miss in the bustle of everyday life. Once we acknowledge the signs of pain, we are able to manage it , improving our pet’s quality of life. Veterinary medicine now incorporates an impressive variety of safe medications to control pain as well as effective modalities that further contribute to pain control. Let’s be more mindful of our pets’ signs of pain in the incoming year. Happy 2021!

Dr. Natalie Marks:

Whether you’ve had furry family for fifty years or you’re a first-time pet parent, my New Year’s resolution is to invest in medical insurance for pets.  One of the hardest situations I face with clients in practice is seeing the emotional struggle of pet parents who cannot choose the medical care they want for their pets due to cost.  This isn’t just the cost of an emergency – this also can dictate how pet parents choose long term care for chronic diseases like allergies, diabetes, kidney disease and others.  I’ve had a really good experience with Trupanion – it’s helped so many of my clients make the best decisions for their family.

Dr. Lisa Radosta:

Lots of us are making New Year’s resolutions. Getting fitter, eating better, being a more patient parent-they are all resolution worthy causes. What about your pet? Make this New Year’s resolution to help your pet have a better 2021.

Understand your pet’s language. Pets communicate with us primarily through body language. Most pet parents don’t understand their pet’s language. Understanding your pet better helps you to attend to their needs, identify stress before it turns into fear or panic and strengthen your bond with your pet. Is your cat happy when he purrs? Is your dog happy when he wags his tail? You might be surprised at the answers! You can find out more at www.flvetbehavior.com and www.fearfreehappyhomes.com.

Dr. Evan Antin:

Many people’s New Years’ resolutions involve improving their diets and the same priority should be placed on our pets’ diets! A healthy, well-balanced diet is one of the most critical components for promoting day-to-day health and long term health. From a veterinary perspective a healthy diet plays heavily in preventative medicine. 

And guess what’s the most practical, accessible, & effective food option for your pet cat or dog?: A high quality commercial pet food! A TON of research & science goes into formulating quality commercial pet food so it’s not only nutritionally balanced but it also makes being a pet parent much easier. Pet nutrition is not 1-size-fits-all so consult with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate diet for your kiddo. 

Dr. Marty Becker:

Sometimes being a veterinarian isn’t so great. Like when someone interrupts you at your child’s game, or even at church, to ask you a question about their pet. The ask always starts with, “Hey doc, I hate to bother you but…”

As a celebrity veterinarian, a friend of a famous friend called me early on New Year’s Day to ask me a question about their beloved dog, Drake.  The #1 reason people take pets to vet is for skin issues and we should all resolved this year to pay more attention to our pet’s skin issues. I knew before she asked. She had a dog that wouldn’t quit scratching. And licking. And chewing. And stinking.

Luckily, I knew a solution that would bring near instant relief over the holidays to allow Drake and his family to all sleep, pending a formal workup at their vet’s office. If you’ve always dreamed of a fast acting, safe, powerful product to stop the “itch/lick/chew…skin infection” cycle, ask your veterinarian about two products: 1) Apoquel (tablets), or 2) Cytopoint (injectible).