The most common reasons to seek Veterinary Services in the Lowcountry
When we think our family members are sick, we get them help. When our pets need help we seek veterinary services in the Lowcountry for everything from fleas to diabetes.
The majority of visits for our pets are common problems. They are usually easily diagnosed and treated, sometimes with something as simple as a change in diet.
Other than annual visits, spaying and neutering, and vaccines, the following are 10 of the most common issues seen.
1. Allergic skin disease
From flea allergies, food allergies, and inhalant allergies, itchy pets are the most commonly seen. With low country weather, environmental allergens last longer for us as well as our pets.
Depending on the allergy, your pet may need to take supplements, use special shampoos and conditioners, or have a change in their diet.
2. Other skin disease
Mange, anal gland abscesses, ear infections (though, strictly speaking, most are allergic in nature, too), non-specific hair loss, ear mites, fur mites, ringworm, etc.
In many cases your pet may need to take a prescription, or have a topical treatment applied. This may last for your pet's entire life, or in cases of mites, ringworm, scabies, it may just be until the problem is resolved.
3. Gastroenteritis
Diarrhea, with or without vomiting is a common cause for pet visits. Extra soft stools, runny or bloody stuff is wickedly widespread. Most visits for diarrhea are on Mondays, which might be an indication that our pets have gotten a bit too much people food on the weekend but it could also be something more serious. It may indicate other illnesses, or a change needed in your pet’s food.
4. Urinary tract disease
Male cats tend to be seen more than other pets for urinary tract disease, though dogs can also suffer. The first signs are generally urinating in abnormal places, missing the litter box, lethargy, and drinking excessively.
5. Dental disease
In most cases, owners don’t realize there are problems with their pets teeth. Just like humans, our pets can suffer from gum disease, broken or chipped teeth, even cavities and abscesses.
6. Limping
Whether it’s from arthritis or they seem to have fallen, or they’ve sprained a foot or broken a bone, limping is a symptom that needs to be addressed.
7. Lumps and bumps
It may be a simple case of an allergic reaction to a bug bite, but lumps can be tumors or something more serious.
8. Bites
Cats that go outdoors will get in fights, and fights can lead to bites. Dogs generally don’t go all in with their fighting, usually making it more of a game, but on occasion, and in particular, repeat offenders need to have those bites monitored and treated.
9. Simple Trauma
Fractured claws, small lacerations, fence wounds, even bleeding tails can be an issue. Our pets sometimes don’t know their limits anymore than we do.
10. General
Just like us, sometimes our pets just “aren’t right”. Our cats are hiding, our dogs aren’t eating. It might be the weather, it may be love, or it could be something more serious.
There are a lot of reasons that your pet may need veterinary services. Give us a call here in the Lowcountry, at (843) 580-6209 so we can help you address the situation, no matter what the issue is.
