"An apple a day keeps the doctor away; but if the doctor is cute, forget the fruit."
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| Cute Dr. Oz the Terrier and his friends Larry the Liver, Ken the Kidney and Steve the Stomach |
Hill's® Science Diet®, knowing that I am not a doctor but that I sometimes impersonate one on this blog, has asked me to join in their "Healthier Pets. Happier Lives.™" campaign. Together, we will discuss the importance of preventative care and how we can make pets healthier and happier to help everyone love their pets longer.
I know some of you may be thinking, "Oh, Dr. Oz the Terrier, I really don't like going to the vet". It's understandable, what with the cold metal table and the awkward thermometer placement, but consistent wellness visits to the vet are a vital way for you to maintain your healthy, happy lifestyle.
These regular vet visits help you maintain your health by:
- keeping you up to date on your vaccinations;
- determining how you are progressing through life;
- detecting underlying conditions that may cause illness later; and
- developing a strong relationship with your vet.
According to the American Pet Products Association's National Pet Owner Survey for 2013-14, 26% of dog owners do not visit the vet until their pet is sick. This is unfortunate. What if that illness could have been easily detected in just one preventative care visit?
"Annual checkups also allow your vet to more easily spot problems at their earliest stages, when they can often be handled simply and cost effectively." -- Dr. Ashley Gallagher, veterinarian, Friendship Hospital for Animals, Washington, D.C.
What Dr. Ashley Gallagher says is especially true if you have a strong relationship with your vet. How so? Well, the better your vet knows you when you are young and healthy, the better his trained eye will be able to recognize even the earliest sign...the smallest change...in your health as you age.
Example: One weekend, I jumped off the couch and about 5 minutes later, Ma and Daddy-dog noticed I was limping. They took me to the emergency vet who did 1 x-ray and then said I had a soft tissue injury - a sprain. He gave me some medicine, told me to follow up after a certain amount of days with my vet, and sent me on my way.
Noticing I wasn't getting any better, Ma made an appointment with my vet, Dr. Z. Immediately upon walking into the exam room, Dr. Z. said "Oz is in a lot of pain". He hadn't even touched my paw yet but he knew something was wrong...because he knew ME. Thanks to Dr. Z., I healed up perfectly.
So now, let me ask you some questions:
Is preventative dog care important to you? Do you go for an annual vet visit? Do you have a strong relationship with your vet?
Hill's Science Diet believes that the healthier and happier your pets are, the longer they live, giving you more time to spend with them. That is why they are giving away $100 towards a vet checkup every day for 90 days.
CLICK HERE to enter the sweeps - the link will take you to the Hill's Science Diet website and the link to the sweeps will be on the bottom of your screen.
Post Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Hill's. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill's® Science Diet® Healthier Pets. Happier Lives.™, but Oz the Terrier only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.
that is something we never miss out - I love going to the vets - the dweeb not so much - okay he is terrified but Mom still makes sure he goes
ReplyDeleteReilly, Denny is terrified of everything so I am not surprised one bit he is afraid of the vet! But, thank doggness your mom still makes him go. Those checkups are so important to keep us healthy and happy!
DeleteWe never miss ours too Oz. Have a terrific Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
I knew you were a doggie who takes good care of herself, Molly. We never miss our visits either.
DeleteIt is so important to find a vet you like. Not everyone has lots of options, but in this area there are multiple vets in most towns and if you aren't comfortable with Vet A keep looking. Dog Dad drives to the next town over because we have a vet Mom and Dad trust, can communicate with, and who we feel comfortable with. They drive by several vets on the way, but its worth the trip.
ReplyDeleteThis weekend with the Vet closed we had a reason to explore the emergency Vet clinic. There are several options in this area, but we've discovered one we really like. We were referred there by our Vet when they were closed for the long weekend. We had the emergency number on our fridge, but never had a reason to go. Now we know and feel comfortable going there in case our Vet isn't around.
Agreed. We have been to vets that we just didn't "click" with which made the visit so uncomfortable. We are lucky there are plenty to choose from here too so when we found the right one, we were so happy! It is always best to have an emergency vet that you are comfortable with too. You never know when you will need one.
DeleteMOL MOL Oz we love the apple a day keeps the doctor away...that is one FINE ending. Never heard that before.
ReplyDeleteI have my annual every July and now that I'm a Senior I also have a 6 month senior blood panel so that we don't miss anything.
Hugs madi your bfff
Excellent, Madi. It's alway good to do those wellness checks just in case! If the vet can find something early enough, it can be a lot easier to treat.
DeleteGussie's checkup is coming soon also.
ReplyDeletestella rose
You make sure Gussie goes, Stella Rose! It's for his own good.
DeleteBack in the day no buddy went to see Doc-ula. Now it is very important cause of all the other nutty things affecting us from the environment
ReplyDeleteLily & Edward
You may be right there, Lily & Edward. Surely there are things in the environment now that weren't there before...and they absolutely can affect us and our health.
DeleteWe each visit the doc every year for check ups, blood work and poop checks!! We also have our teeth checked (and cleaned if needed)! We are still settling into this area, but after a couple of tries we have found a vet we like!
ReplyDeleteSmileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
That is excellent, Dory! It's difficult when you just move to a new area to find a vet you like so I am glad you have finally found one! *high paws*
DeleteBecause I need a shot for my Addision's disease, I'm at the vet's once every 25 days. Tomorrow, I go again.
ReplyDeleteOh Kyla, I did not realize you had Addison's. I am glad your vet takes such good care of you even if that means you have to go every month (or more).
DeleteGering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding Hello Oz ~ You and Hill's Science Diet have got that right our annual visits for our check-ups are definitely important. I go for my annual this month September and this time I get my Bordetella spay up the nose. Must remember to inhale deeply. We have just been sad because Jazzi died and Lee wanted to get us moved this summer to a condo where she would not have to work so hard with her Lupus but it has not happened, nothing around here is moving yet. The condo next to her friend is for sale and it would be nice for us having no family to live close to a friend.
ReplyDeleteNow those two pictures of you are the bestest pictures ever. You always take good pics but those are outstanding.
Personality showing through all the way to Cincinnati.
Thanks for being a friend
Sweet William
The Scot
Oz that second pic just makes us smile friend.
DeleteSWTS
We answered yes to those questions Oz! Regulat Vet visits are so important!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you agree, Brian! It's the best way to keep us happy and healthy!
DeleteSuper cute, Oz is a perfect spokesdog!
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you.
DeleteAre you the famous Dr. Oz on TV in the afternoon? Your blog could take on a whole new twist and following if you are! Very cute post and well said!
ReplyDeleteDon't I wish, Emma! Imagine all the followers I would have with that amount of fame! Thank you.
DeleteI see my vet at least once a year, usually more. I have a furrific relationship with my vet. He even introduced us to a local Pom breeder in case I want a puppy, but I keep telling Mom that I prefer to stay an only dog. The last visit was for a huge eye stye that needed 2 followup visits after tubes of eye gel before it was gone.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Pepper
Yes, I do recall that, Pepper and I am glad it got better. You have a very good relationship with your vet and that is so important.
DeleteI really don't like taking Laika to the vet because she's the biggest wuss ever, but we do it at least once a year. Last time when she was getting her vaccinations she flinched and pulled back her leg resulting in the tech poking herself. It's pretty embarrassing. Does make me realize I took all my previous dogs' behavior at the vet for granted. It's always worth the peace of mind just knowing that she's current on her heart worm & other annuals. Plus as you mention it's just once a year; preventing something before it gets bad is cost effective and usually much easier to treat.
ReplyDeleteI am brave at the vet's office but I know some dogs get nervous and anxious. It is good that you still can get Laika to the vet for her annual visit. It is the most important visit in keeping us healthy since we get our vaccinations and such. I agree, it is much more cost effective to prevent something or catch it in the early stages as well as easier to treat.
DeleteBravo Dr. Oz, great post! I totally agree, it's better to discover things what are wrong asap. And it can help to avoid seriously ouchies when the dogtor knows us and our common behavior from regular visits. So he will notice immediately when soething is wrong.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Easy! The better your vet knows you in health the better he can tell when you are feeling unwell.
DeleteWe always go in for our yearly visits to make sure we are all healthy. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is excellent news, Sagira!
DeleteThat is very very good advice. I do in regularly and take all my tests and medicines. On a recent visit,, my Vetlady found that I was in early stages of a heart condition. She caught it and I take my meds and feel great now. I am glad she found it and everyppal should see their Dogtor.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great reminder.
Love Sasha
You're cuter than the other Dr. Oz! :)
ReplyDeleteJan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
Mom take us to see the vet every year :-)
ReplyDeleteOz you are so smart! Have you been to medical school?
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Mayorz For All Paws
"Use Your Noodle & Vote For A Doodle!"
This was a great post! I absolutely love your little Doctor outfit too!
ReplyDeleteღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Furst of all..you are just ADORABLES Oz!!! Second, yes, Ma always takes me to the vettie for my annual check up, butts it is most important too when us doggies get middle age, *cough, cough* to get a blood panel too, cause it will give you a base line, so if any changes occur, you and your vettie will know to keep an eye.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the cute photos and the info Oz!
Kisses,
Ruby ♥
Dr. Oz I know you from TV! Love Dolly
ReplyDeleteOur vet split our dog's visits into two so that we wouldn't have to pay such a large vet bill on our annual visit. Bi-annual is much easier for Maya, but I am thinking of getting Pierson back onto just an annual visit. He is terrified of being at the vet office so why subject him twice a year when we can do it just once. Despite his fear, we will always go at least once a year.
ReplyDeletemom makes sure we go to our wellness check ups every year. We have been to the same vet for many years. We trust them and they trust us also
ReplyDeletehugs
Mr Bailey, Hazel & Greta
Ya sure make a cute doctor.
ReplyDeleteI gotta go see da vetman twice a year for checkups, and more if somefin are wrong.
Okay, I laughed out loud at the title Dr. Oz! How extremely clever. ☺ We go to see our vet often because he cuts our nails.
ReplyDeleteOh yes we go to the vet for visits twice a year since Boomer and Dottie are seniors!
ReplyDeleteMom is always on top of our pet appointments, she even has a folder for each of us with all our important papers! We think you make the most adorable doc!!
ReplyDeleteDr. Oz you make the cutest vet. We love our vet and staff where we go. We always go to our regular appointments but we can't prevent Millie running into trees! BOL!
ReplyDeleteVet visits are a MUST - at least in my book
ReplyDeleteMr. N is due for his. I better call the vet this week!
ReplyDeleteIz da best advices Oz my pal....i luv I vet...me an im do still peemail each uvver even do he live in da USA now...
ReplyDeleteYou are my favorite Dr! Gman just had his check up last week.
ReplyDeleteOur doggies go to the vet for annual check-ups and usually other times for assorted injuries...lol.
ReplyDelete