Veterinary Health Questions

Pet ownership is on the rise. More than 60 percent of Americans own an animal companion, according to American Pet Products. One third of those owners have wills that outline the legal guardianship of their animals in the event of an owner's death. With this deep devotion to household animals, veterinary health questions typically focus on some common themes such as aging and scratching.

  1. Age

    • Pets live longer today because they receive better vet care and eat healthier foods, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). A common question about older animals is when do they cross the threshold of old age. As a rule, cats and small dogs are geriatric when they reach 7 years of age. For larger dogs, the magical age is 6 years because they have shorter life spans. Weight gain is a problem in geriatric dogs, but any weight loss can be serious in older cats.

    Itching

    • Fleas take the blame for common itchiness among cats and dogs, according to DVM 360 online magazine. Flea allergy dermatitis accounts for half of all dermatological cases in felines and canines. Symptoms among dogs include scratching near the tail, rectum and groin. Cats typically develop crusty markings on their necks, in addition to licking their skin bare. Scratching represents a common veterinary health question and is treatable with about two weeks of mild steroids and flea control treatments.

    Declawing

    • Proponents and critics of cat declawing offer their own insights on how to handle this question, Vet Info website reports. Sharp nails are harmful to small children and furniture. At the same time, declawed cats lose their protective weapons and become prey to other animals. Vet Info suggests kitten owners keep those long talons if they know their cat will be exposed to the outdoors. They should resort to declawing only if they are absolutely certain their felines will be indoors all the time.

    Dental

    • Many pet owners turn to their vets after struggling to insert a toothbrush into an animal's mouth. An easier approach is to fight dental tartar and plaque with specially formulated foods for cats and dogs, the American Veterinary Dental Society recommends on at PetDental.com. Look for food packaging with seal from the Veterinary Oral Health Council. Keep up with annual vet checkups so your pet doctor can examine your fuzzy-faced friend's teeth. Contact your vet immediately if you sense any dental problems.