Things All Pet Parents Need to Know to Keep Their Furry Friends Healthy – Interview
***May is National Pet Month***
PROTECTING YOUR PETS FROM PARASITES
Top Pet Care Tips, Especially for New Pet Parents
With 44% of all households in the U.S. having a dog and about 4.1 million shelter animals being adopted each year,1 National Pet Month (May) is the time to celebrate our family members with fur and raise awareness for responsible pet ownership.
For new pet parents, adding a pet to their lives can be an incredibly rewarding adventure, but it can feel a bit overwhelming at the beginning. This can be true especially when it comes to understanding the various parasites, including fleas, ticks, roundworms, hookworms, as well as heartworms. In fact, more than 1 million pets in the U.S. have heartworms making heartworm disease a year-round issue.2 There may be many questions “hounding” new dog owners, such as:
What are the most important grooming tips?
How often you bathe your pup can depend on what type of coat they have, a pet owner’s personal preference, how active they are, or how dirty they get. A good rule of thumb is to bathe your dog every two to three months – a maximum of once a month – with a shampoo formulated for dogs and recommended by your veterinarian. Brushing is also important because it gives you a chance to check them for fleas, ticks, and other issues like lumps or sensitivities.
How Often Should You See a Veterinarian?
Establishing a relationship with a veterinarian quickly is extremely beneficial and makes it easier to determine any health issues if something seems off with your pup. Having a trusted expert that knows you and your pet’s story is vital in ensuring your pet stays as healthy and happy as possible – meaning routine, annual veterinary visits are a must!
How Do You Protect Your Pup From Parasites?
Summertime is a perfect opportunity for outdoor fun with your furry friend, with lots of activities from fetch, to walks in the park and hikes in the woods. While common parasites, such as fleas, ticks, roundworms and hookworms, as well as the threat of heartworm disease are top of mind for pet owners this time of year, these things can cause harm to your dog all year round. These common parasites and diseases are easily preventable – and veterinarians have the best advice on how to protect and defend your pet with a plan.
Join me in a recent interview with Dr. Nikko Grossapoulos (aka Dr. G), veterinarian at Zoetis, (along with his French Bulldog, Kermit) who was able to discuss the best strategies for pup parents, and especially new dog owners, to help keep their pooch happy and healthy.
See the entire interview here:
For more information, go to protectmypupquiz.com
GUEST BIO
Dr. Nikko Bio
Dr. Nikko Grossapoulos (aka Dr. G) is a Senior Professional Services Veterinarian for Zoetis. Dr. G started his professional education with a dual undergraduate degree in Theater Arts & Biology Sciences and ran his own pet-care company for nearly 10 years, growing it into a thriving business with 20 employees and well over 1500 clients in the Chicagoland area. Upon graduation from the University of Minnesota, he practiced within the Twin Cities region with a concentration in small animal medicine before joining Zoetis, but still continues to perform occasional relief work. He also sits on the foundation board of the Minnesota VMA, is part of MVMA’s MOVE committee and is involved in mentoring students at the University.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: See Prescribing Information: https://simparicatriopi.com/. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures. Simparica Trio contains sarolaner, a member of the isoxazoline class, which has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, ataxia, and seizures in dogs with or without a history of neurologic disorders. The safe use of Simparica Trio has not been evaluated in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs. The most frequently reported adverse reactions in clinical trials were vomiting and diarrhea.
Interview courtesy: Zoetis, Inc.
