Pet health check-ups and preventive care

Veterinary specialists in Brazil reiterated that the colder winter months can aggravate health problems in dogs and cats, especially seniors and animals with cardiac or respiratory conditions. They urged owners to schedule preventive check‑ups and laboratory tests to monitor kidney, liver and inflammatory markers, emphasizing early diagnosis for a better quality of life.

Guidance for senior dogs was reinforced: dogs over seven years should be examined twice a year, with owners bringing medical histories, medication lists and diet details. Veterinarians may request urine or fecal samples and recommend blood work, urinalysis and organ‑function panels to detect arthritis, diabetes, kidney disease, heart problems or cancer early.

In Colombia, veterinarians continued to advise at least one annual veterinary visit for all dogs and cats, with younger, older or ill animals examined more frequently. Vaccination schedules and parasite control are tailored to age and health, and deworming is commonly recommended every three months. Skin irritation and excessive hair loss should also prompt a vet visit.

Argentinian vets warned that everyday items such as threads, yarn, ribbons, cords and dental floss can cause intestinal blockages or perforations in cats, urging owners to keep these objects out of reach.

In Mexico’s Matamoros region, veterinarians highlighted the heightened disease risk during heat waves, urging up‑to‑date vaccinations, flea and tick treatments, and regular deworming, with itinerant vaccination campaigns targeting vulnerable communities. On International Cat Day, experts stressed that indoor cats remain susceptible to external parasites (fleas, mites) and internal parasites (heartworm, tapeworm), recommending routine antiparasitic protocols tailored to each cat’s lifestyle.