What small animal veterinarians can do for your pets
Published Tuesday October 6th, 2009
From Oct. 4- to 10, through the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association's 'Care to Prepare' Animal Health Week campaign, veterinarians across the country will provide animal owners with an opportunity to learn about the importance of bring prepared to care for their animals in emergency situations.
A veterinarian is an important member of every family's health care team.
Though veterinarians are often thought of as being the family doctors for our household pets, they are working to contribute to the health and well-being of many others too -- including you.
One-third of Canada's 11,400 veterinarians work with food producing animals and in mixed animal practices. Their work involves the inspection, care and treatment of farm animals as well as pets. Veterinarians can be found working in many other places such as research labs, government and academia.
What they all have in common is the interest in animal welfare.
The majority of veterinarians in Canada can be found working with small animals like cats and dogs. Some small animal veterinarians also work with birds, rabbits, ferrets, rats, guinea pigs, pocket pets (like hamsters, gerbils), reptiles and pet pigs.
Vaccinations and surgeries are all part of a small animal veterinary practitioner's daily work, but many other functions can be performed along the way.
Access to sophisticated health care procedures has become available in recent years, allowing animals to live longer lives and giving pet owners more time to enjoy the company of their furry companions. Most veterinary hospitals now have diagnostic equipment which include blood analysis, urinalysis, fecal analysis and X-rays to help diagnose a condition.
Some hospitals also have equipment for ultrasound, endoscopy and digital radiology. In fact, much of the same technology used in human health care is now being applied to animal health care. Pets can be treated for complex health issues like diabetes, thyroid disorders, hip dysplasia, cancer, arthritis and dermatological issues. These may involve simple treatments or more intensive treatments, requiring intravenous fluids and hospitalization.
Like humans, sometimes the pet may require a major surgery.
Veterinarians can perform mass removals, gastrointestinal surgeries, eye surgeries, ear surgeries, laser surgery and orthopedic surgeries. Dentistry, including teeth cleaning and tooth removal, are also performed by most veterinary hospitals.
Sometimes a pet's condition warrants that the pet be seen by a specialist. A specialist is a veterinarian who has studied in a particular field for at least three years after graduating from a veterinary program and becomes board certified within that specialty. All veterinarians are always educating themselves on new products and procedures. Some veterinarians will study in a certain field such physical therapy, acupuncture, alternative medicine and ultrasound.
Ask your veterinarian today what he/she can do for you and your pet!
* Dr. Marlene Gallon is a small animal veterinary practitioner at the Mountain Road Animal Hospital in Moncton. Tomorrow the Mountain Road Animal Hospital will host an Open House and laser therapy demonstration to teach pet owners how laser therapy can be used for the treatment of inflammatory or painful conditions in pets. Call 382-0061 for more information.
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