Pet Medical Information
Many people chose to own domesticated animals and share their homes with their pets. Part of the responsibility of keeping pets involves the maintenance of their health since they are completely dependent on their owners. In addition to providing food, water and a home, an owner needs to provide conscientious health care, including regular checkups at a veterinarian and up-to-date medical records kept in a separate folder for each pet.
-
Function
-
Owners should always keep their pets' medical records complete and current and take them to annual veterinary checkups. Unless the owner has brought the records, a new veterinarian has no frame of reference to assess the animal's health. Kennels and boarding facilities require all owners to provide proof of their pets' health, as do many groomers. Also, many municipal licensing centers require submission of certain records, such as current rabies vaccinations, before issuing pet licenses.
Types
-
Dogs and cats require more detailed records than smaller animals. Dogs' records include certificates for vaccinations for rabies and for the combination DHLPPC, plus the dates and results of heartworm tests. Cats' records should also include rabies and FVRCP vaccinations, and tests and vaccinations for feline leukemia. Both dogs' and cats' records should include the dates and results of fecal examinations for parasites. Smaller animals, such as rodents, reptiles, birds and fish, do not require licensing, but owners should keep files recording their vital statistics.
-
Features
-
Any pet that shares your life and home needs medical records. A medical record folder begins with a page that lists the pet's name, date of birth, gender, date of neutering and physical description. Another chart outlines vaccinations, providing the date, name of vaccination and expiration date. A third form details the animal's visits to the veterinarian, including weight, general health, and any health concerns. Finally, any certificates needed for legal purposes, such as rabies vaccination or municipal license, should be kept in the folder.
Considerations
-
Some pet owners don't think veterinary care is necessary because wild animals survive without human intervention. This opinion overlooks the facts that pets are not wild; they are living together in the home with people. In addition, some people refuse to neuter pets, possibly because they associate the ability to reproduce with human sexuality. In truth, neutering pets prevents the birth of many unwanted litters, and the animals live healthier and happier lives.
Potential
-
Online animal records provide a new resource for pet owners who are moving or who travel frequently with their pets. Instead of owners taking the responsibility for maintaining detailed and up-to-date pet medical records, they enroll in an online service that provides handy access. Therefore, pets that fall ill or suffer injuries can be treated by any veterinarian with internet access. This service is particularly useful for worried owners whose state of mind prevents them from recalling vital information about their pets.
-
Resources
- Photo Credit apluspawsandclaws.com/
