PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
What is preventive medicine?
Animals age faster than we do, and can't express themselves when they don't feel well. Regular monitoring of your pet is essential to ensure its good health. Regular check-ups enable early detection of any pathologies, which can then be more easily and effectively treated. Preventive medicine aims to prevent illness and promote longevity in the lives of our faithful companions, rather than simply treating them once they're ill.
How does the consultation work?
I perform a complete examination, from muzzle to tail! Everything is examined: teeth, eyes, ears, skin, lungs, heart and joints.
To do this, I'm equipped with everything you need: ophthalmoscope, otoscope, microscope, ultrasound scanner, as well as blood and urine analyzers .
Vaccination
There are no compulsory vaccinations for pets that don't travel. On the other hand, we veterinarians unfortunately see a majority of sick animals. Vaccines are therefore an obvious way to combat certain pathologies. What's more, certain vaccines are compulsory as soon as you leave France.
By the way, don't hesitate to let me know if you're planning to take your pet on a vacation abroad: some of the formalities can be quite onerous, requiring several months' preparation beforehand.
Electronic identification
Electronic identification can also be carried out during these consultations. This is compulsory for dogs, cats and ferrets living in France. It can be carried out from the age of 8 weeks.
Nutrition
Nutrition is also a major theme. Food is central to the bond we forge with our four-legged companions. What a pleasure to see your dog, cat or rabbit enjoying what you've prepared for them! Being overweight is not inevitable, and there are many things you can do about it. It's a team effort!
Antiparasitics
They help prevent certain illnesses and discomforts in your pet. Fleas can cause dermatological problems (itching, redness, scabs, etc.).
As for ticks, they can transmit diseases.
Some products get a bad press, but their effectiveness is indisputable. One way of combating parasites is to reason out their use, treating only when necessary, depending on your pet's lifestyle or seasonality. Please let me know if you have any concerns on this subject. The best prevention is one you're convinced of, and easy to implement.
Finally, don't hesitate to let me know about any behavioral difficulties you may encounter. We share our pets' daily lives, we live together, sometimes in their homes in the case of felines! Good understanding and trust are the cornerstones of this almost filial relationship.
Why at home?
Between getting into the carrier, the car journey and the wait at the veterinary clinic, some cats turn into tigers! Sometimes to the point of needing to be anaesthetized for a simple vaccination.
Our dog friends are not to be outdone, as some refuse to move forward as soon as they set foot in the clinic. We have to drag them painfully to the consultation room, where some have to be muzzled if they don't cooperate. And then there are the dogs who come to the clinic with a lameness and then jump up and down in the air, or those who are completely amorphous at home and then regain a normal attitude in the waiting room. They're not feigning illness, but the stress induced by the clinic environment can sometimes mask worrying symptoms and lead to misdiagnosis.
When a vet comes to your home, your companion will be much less worried. The animals can even celebrate my arrival!
On the other hand, some dogs have great difficulty getting around. Getting them in and out of the car, and to the clinic, is sometimes mission impossible.
And what if you have several cats and/or dogs? Bringing them all to the clinic for vaccination can be an expedition.
On top of all these constraints, road traffic in the Pays Basque is a nightmare at certain times of the year.
The relationship you develop with your vet at home is quite different from the one you might have in a veterinary clinic. A home consultation takes between 30 and 45 minutes, sometimes longer. I can see the environment in which your pet lives, which enables me to address all facets of your companion's life.
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