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Vet issues heartbreaking advice to pet owners about ‘preventing’ and ‘managing’ illness
Your dog or cat getting unwell is one of the most devastating things for an owner, but it’s just as upsetting for the vet because often, it could have been prevented.
We spoke to a vet, who issued a heartbreaking piece of advice all pet owners need to know, because too many animal illnesses are diagnosed when it’s already too late.
Most pet illnesses are ‘preventable or manageable’
Dr. Gabre Denton told The Focus: “The most heartbreaking situation I see as a vet are diseases and illnesses that are preventable or manageable, that present to us when it’s too late or after many years of avoidable suffering.”
Common conditions such as dental disease, arthritis and severe skin allergies lead to significant suffering but in many cases, are simple to treat medically.
“It is heartbreaking, for example, when you see a pet that has been scratching every day for 10 years and an owner believes this is just normal behavior,” he continued. “A single vet visit years before could have started a simple management plan to keep them comfortable and happy and avoid years of pain and discomfort.”
So many conditions can be identified from a simple veterinary examination and stopped before they become more severe, providing comfort and relief to the animal. Many pet accidents and illnesses can also be avoided by taking away danger.
Pet owners aren’t aware of ‘clinical signs’ of illness
When you become unwell, you notice the symptoms and visit a doctor. Perhaps you are feeling more thirsty than usual, you’ve developed a lump under your armpit or you’re experiencing lots of pain in your tooth.
However, the vet explained that sadly when it comes to pets, owners often arent aware of the “clinical signs of illness” so the animal can go years being unwell without them even realizing anything is wrong.
“Owners believe that since their pet isnt yelping in pain that they are comfortable and happy. Most pain isnt expressed through whinging or yelping but through subtle physical cues. We must remember they cannot tell us how they feel,” he said.
Common signs of illness to watch out for in your pet
It’s not always easy to tell when your pet is unwell, but Denton revealed that there are some signs to watch out for.
Bad breath, sore gums and heavy dental tartar are signs of severe dental disease that causes animals significant pain, but is 100% treatable.
If your pet is slow to get up, avoiding jumping or running, looking stiff or moving slowly, these are classic signs of arthritis and there are many effective treatment options.
You should also watch out for unexplained behavior changes, foul odors, lethargy, vomiting, or changes in thirst, urination, or bowel movements, which can all be signs that something isn’t right.
Make sure to regularly check your dog’s body for any strange wounds, lumps or growths too, which could indicate something more serious.
Always take your pet to the vet at least once per year for a physical examination which will identify diseases before they become a significant issue for your pet.
“It will help them live a happy and comfortable life which is very achievable in the majority of pets. The point of these yearly visits is to see things early and prevent suffering from them by addressing things before its too late,” the vet concluded.
Dr. Gabre Denton is a veterinarian with seven years of experience in a general practice setting in San Diego and New York. He graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from Murdoch University in Australia and now works at West Village Veterinary Hospital in Manhattan, alongside being a veterinary care expert at TeachMe.To.
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