By Brianna Hansen
Last month, we talked about how to “Spring into Pet Wellness” — brushing away the winter undercoat, dodging toxic tulips, and restarting flea prevention — but as we settle into April, I want to go a little deeper. If spring is the season of “deep cleaning,” it’s the perfect time to look past the fur and flowers and focus on the internal health of our pets… both the barking and the meowing varieties.
In an era where the “rising cost of everything” is a daily headline, it’s tempting to view the annual vet visit as an optional line item. However, think of your pet’s wellness exam like a 30,000-mile car inspection… Skipping it doesn’t save money; it just delays a potentially more expensive repair. This is especially true for our feline friends, who are masters at masking pain until a condition is advanced.
So, what is your vet actually looking for? They are checking for heart murmurs, feeling for hidden masses, and assessing weight and dental health (which impacts heart, liver, and kidneys)…major factors in overall longevity for both dogs and cats.
Then there are the “Core Four” essentials for a healthy spring: Rabies: Not just a health choice, but a legal requirement in Delaware for dogs and cats. Distemper Combos: DAPP for dogs and FVRCP for cats, protecting against highly contagious viruses that can even hitch a ride indoors on your shoes. Lifestyle Vaccines: If your dog frequents parks, daycare, or grooming salons, Bordetella and Leptospirosis vaccines add an extra layer of protection. Testing & Prevention: This goes beyond heartworm. Annual bloodwork can catch early kidney or liver disease, while simple fecal tests detect intestinal parasites that even indoor pets can pick up. Cat owners should discuss risks like Feline Leukemia too.
If the financial side of preventive care feels daunting, remember that Delaware is home to incredible resources. Shelters like Humane Animal Partners and Faithful Friends Animal Society offer low-cost wellness clinics and “pay-only-for-what-you-need” vaccine clinics specifically designed to help owners meet these essential needs on a budget.
And if you’re looking for a way to support that lifesaving care while having a little fun: April 9th marks the 10th Anniversary of HAP’s Designer Bag Bingo! Grab your lucky dauber for a chance to win gorgeous bags from Coach, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, and more. Every ticket helps fund the very care that keeps pets in our community healthy and thriving. You can snag tickets at: humaneanimalpartners.org/bingo.
This April, let’s commit to a little preventative maintenance now to ensure a whole year of healthy tails and happy purrs.
– Look for the this month’s Humane Animal Partners (HAP) sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka featured adoptable pets in the print version of this month’s issue, linked here.
