The importance of regular check ups at the vet
While this doesn't specifically relate to our operations as a rescue and animal-welfare organization I feel it is important to let people know that the way that many of us handle pet medical care(including me before I got involved with the establishment of KAW.)
I think that most people kind of see the veterinarian as a place to go to whenever Fido is already extremely ill or is obviously not acting the same as he normally does. The problem with using the vet in this capacity is that what is bothering your fluffy friend is most likely something you could have prevented in the first place.
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Just like many diseases for humans, early detection of a diseases and the treatment at that stage in the dog and the disease's development is much easier to take care of while we are in the prevention or early treatment stages (where a problem may not be noticeable to your eyes) than it is once your doggie pal is obviously in pain all the time. I know a number of people that waited far too long to take their dog or cat to the vet only to get some harrowing news that their family member now has advanced cancer that in many cases in now inoperable. I would be willing to bet that this is not news that you want to receive.... ever. It will be especially haunting when you realize that the reason why your dog is going to potentially face a premature and likely painful death process is because you used veterinarian services incorrectly.
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I get it: You think you know your pet better than everyone else does and as far as their attitude and quirks you are probably correct in this assumption. However, there is a better than average chance that you didn't in fact go to medical school for 4 years and then serve in a residency program where you saw hundreds of dogs and all manner of problems that various species can face. Your veterinarian HAS done those things and they see your dog in a totally different way than you do. They can identify problems simply by looking in your dog's ears and mouth or by pressing on their belly.
I know this information first hand because on one trip to our annual check up and updates on vaccinations a lump so small that I hadn't even noticed on my mixed-breed dog was suspect according to my vet. Scans and bloodwork was done and it was discovered that my dog had a very early onset of some sort of cancer with a long name that I do not remember. The operation took about 20 minutes and the follow up visit 3 months later showed that they got it all out and there was no resurgence. If I had not gone for this visit, that almost undetectable lump that I never noticed despite giving my fur baby belly rubs every day would have continued to grow until it became a problem that likely couldn't be dealt with easily, if it could be dealt with at all.
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Almost all dogs are very nervous at the vet office and this is for a very good reason: They can smell and hear that this is not a fun place. I've no scientific proof of this because I don't need it. With the hundreds of dogs that I have taken to the vet over the years of working with Krabi Animal Welfare there have been very few exceptions to the animals we bring there turning into completely different animals in the lobby. They KNOW that this is a place where they are going to be prodded and given injections to and I think they can sense the fear of the other animals that are there as well.
You can sidestep a bit of this "torture" by getting them a bag of treaties after they are done and perhaps this can help ease the pain. It works for us.
Bottom line is this: Take your pets to the vet at least once a year, even if you "know" there is nothing wrong with them. I promise you that you do not want to live with the knowledge that your loving friend is going to suffer because of your negligence. Veterinarian fees are much lower than the fees associated with taking a human to the doctor, especially in a country like the one I live in, so there really isn't any excuse.
If you would like to see how you can help out or simply spread the word, please visit our website at
http://krabianimalwelfare.org
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