Veterinary Visits Down in the United States

Owning a pet can be rewarding but also expensive. Recent studies show that while pet ownership is on the rise, visits to the veterinarian have declined. Before the recession of 2008, veterinarians saw dogs an average of 2.6 times per year and cats 1.7 times per year. When the financial crunch started to squeeze the economy, people decided to forgo visits to the veterinarian in order to make ends meet. By not going to the veterinarian, you risk detecting something early in your pets that could be treated.

One health problem that is of particular concern to veterinarians is obesity, especially in dogs. Some studies show that there is a link between high body-mass index in pet owners and their dogs. Having an overweight pet is no joke - it can lead to respiratory issues, heart disease, bladder disease, cancer and a shorter lifespan. After obesity, diabetes is of growing concern among veterinary professionals. From 2006 to 2010, the Banfield State of Pet Health found a 32% increase in diabetes among dogs and 16% among cats. If your pet is found to have diabetes, you will need to give your pet daily insulin shots and also modify its diet. However, it is possible to prevent diabetes by taking care of your pet's health needs and visiting the veterinarian regularly.