Keeping Your Pets Healthy From the Inside Out

Dr. Barbara Davis, DoveLewis internal medicine specialist, is an expert at preventing, diagnosing and treating complex, long-term illnesses in adult animals. Today, she is sharing her top three tips for keeping your pet happy and healthy well into adulthood. 

1. Maintain a healthy weight.
   Plump pets may look cute, but excessive weight can endanger your furry friend’s health. A 2017 clinical survey showed that 56 percent of dogs and 60 percent of cats were overweight. Discuss weight loss or maintenance options with your regular veterinarian to make sure your pet is at his ideal size. A healthy weight can prevent diabetes, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, worsening arthritis, and more.


2. Administer monthly flea, tick and heartworm prevention. 
   Monthly treatments help prevent the transmission of many serious, infectious diseases, including intestinal parasites, lyme disease, heartworms, mycoplasma, anaplasma and more.


3. Visit your veterinarian for regular physical exams and blood tests. 
   Regular tests, performed annually or twice yearly, can screen for issues and catch diseases early, which offer a better chance at a more successful outcome. Older patients are more likely to need exams and tests twice a year.