# Pet health check-ups and preventive care

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pet-health-checkups-and-preventive-care
> Updated: 2026-08-07T15:11:37.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 4.

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.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-07: Veterinarians Urge Parasite Prevention for Pets During Heat Waves and Indoor Living

Veterinarians in Mexico and Argentina urge pet owners to maintain vaccinations, flea/tick control and deworming to protect dogs and indoor cats from heat‑related and hidden parasite risks.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/veterinarians-urge-parasite-prevention-for-pets-during-heat-waves-and-indoor-living

### 2026-07-19: Veterinarians Urge Annual Pet Check-ups and Warn of Household Hazards for Cats

Vets recommend yearly check-ups for dogs and cats and caution that household threads, cords and similar items can cause serious injuries if swallowed by cats.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/veterinarians-urge-yearly-vet-visits-and-warn-of-household-thread-hazards-for-pets-in-colombia-and-a

### 2026-07-16: Veterinary Guidance for Senior Dogs' Health Checkups

Dogs need age‑specific vet visits: puppies often, adults yearly, seniors twice yearly. Owners should bring records, may need samples, and discuss diet, weight and common senior risks.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/veterinary-guidance-for-senior-dogs-health-checkups

### 2026-07-14: Brazil vets urge winter check-ups for dogs and cats

Brazilian vets advise winter check‑ups for dogs and cats to catch early health issues, especially in older or chronically ill pets.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-vets-urge-winter-check-ups-for-dogs-and-cats

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Cite as: Pet health check-ups and preventive care. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pet-health-checkups-and-preventive-care