The Most Common Reasons for Visiting a Veterinary Clinic
Veterinarians are becoming more common in the United States. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the number of licensed veterinarians grew by 32 percent from 2007 to 2017 — and it hasn’t slowed down since then. As rates of pet ownership continue to increase, so will the need for licensed veterinarians.
Whether you’re planning to become a licensed veterinarian, a veterinary technologist, a veterinary technician or a veterinary assistant, though, you might be wondering why owners bring their pets to clinics. Most pet owners don’t spontaneously visit their preferred veterinary clinic. Rather, they visit them for a specific reason. By learning the most common reasons for visiting veterinary clinics, you’ll have a better understanding of what a veterinary career entitles.
Routine Checkup
One of the most common reasons for visiting a veterinary clinic is a routine checkup. A separate report by the AVMA found that 83% of dog owners will take their dog to a veterinary clinic at least once a year for a routine checkout. During a routine checkout, a veterinarian will examine the owner’s pet for a potential health problem. The veterinarian may check the pet’s heart rate, respiratory rate, paws and coat (assuming the pet has fur).
Along with a physical examination, the veterinarian may inquire about the pet’s diet, physical activity levels and overall health. The purpose of a routine checkup is to catch medical problems early before they snowball into bigger and more serious problems. Regardless, many owners bring their pets to a veterinary clinic for a routine checkup.
Skin Allergies
Another common reason for visiting a veterinary clinic is skin allergies. Like us humans, pets can suffer from skin allergies. Known as allergic dermatitis, it involves an allergic skin reaction to substances such as dander, mold, fleas, pollen and even certain fabrics. It’s believed that allergic dermatitis affects roughly 10% of all dogs and cats.
Excessive scratching and licking is a telltale sign of a skin allergy. Dogs and cats suffering from a skin allergy may scratch and lick themselves profusely. Upon noticing these symptoms, owners often take their pets to a veterinary clinic for a professional diagnosis. Veterinarians can tell whether or not a pet is suffering from a skin allergy, and if so, they can offer medication like antihistamines to treat the pet. There are also veterinary dermatologists who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions like allergies.
Ear Infections
Pet owners often visit a veterinary clinic because of ear infections. Due to their fur, dogs and cats are highly susceptible to ear infections. The fur surrounding a dog’s or cat’s ears encourages the accumulation of debris. Debris can become stuck inside of a dog’s or cat’s ear, which can lead to an infection. At the same time, dogs and cats are vulnerable to ear mites. Ear mites are microscopic parasites that live inside of the ear canals of common household pets.
Veterinarians are trained to treat ear infections in dogs, cats and other household pets. There are different types of ear infections from which pets can suffer. As a result, the method of treatment can vary. For bacterial ear infections, a veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics. For fungal ear infections, conversely, a veterinarian may prescribe antifungal ear drops. And for ear mites, a veterinarian may prescribe parasiticide medication. Veterinarians can diagnose and treat all of the leading types of ear infections in pets.
Vaccinations
Some pet owners visit a veterinary clinic for preventative medical services, including vaccinations. Vaccinations aren’t intended to treat diseases. Rather, they are designed to prevent them. Both dogs and cats should receive vaccinations to protect them from common infectious diseases. Veterinarians can recommend a vaccination schedule for pets so that they are protected against infectious diseases.
Many states, in fact, have laws requiring all dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies. Rabies is a potentially fatal zoonotic disease that frequently infects dogs. Unlike many other infectious diseases, though, it’s capable of spreading from dogs to humans. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of all rabies cases in humans involve transmission from a domestic dog With a rabies vaccination, dogs will receive immunity to this potentially fatal disease. Therefore, they won’t be able to pass it along to other dogs or even humans.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common reason for visiting a veterinary clinic. Arthritis is a medical condition that’s characterized by inflammation within one or more joints. Pets have joints in their bodies just like as us humans. When inflammation settles in a joint, it manifests as arthritis. Pets suffering from arthritis may experience pain, limited mobility and a lower quality of life.
Because it involves inflammation, arthritis can often be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs. Veterinarians can prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling within a pet’s joints. For severe cases of arthritis, veterinarians may prescribe glucocorticoids. Arthritis is just one more reason why pet owners visit a veterinary clinic.
