Puppies do need that cozy fleece jacket, the regular and proper vaccination and deworming schedule, the heartworm and flea/tick preventives, a microchip, good ID tags, and perhaps an invisible fence or tall fence.
We need to spay or neuter all pets in a timely manner to avoid unwanted litters and life-threatening diseases.
For older dogs, arthritis care, a fluffy bed, a snow-free path in winter, regular blood and urine monitoring, a glaucoma check.
Our feline friends need vaccination against leukemia and feline AIDS if outdoors; repeat these throughout their lifetimes. Flea and tick prevention, excellent quality cat food and ample entertainment are also musts.
Our geriatric pussycats need special care, biannual lab testing, blood pressure monitoring, arthritis care and loving hugs.
If all these things are remembered, your pet will live forever (not really, just wishing!), but they will live a long, happy life.
Lastly, we note with great joy that this week in our practice we saw new puppies with clients we hadn't seen in years. After losing their dear dog, many people wait seemingly forever to find a new friend. Along with them and their new Christmas pups, we fondly remember Debo, Rusty, Rosie, Isabella and Tabitha, the tiniest dog.
Happy New Year to all!
Dr. Ellen Friedman is in general practice at Newburgh Veterinary Hospital and All Creatures Veterinary Hospital in New Paltz.