Haven't we all had days when we just wanted to escape the glare of the harsh world and retract to the cosy comfort of our own rooms waiting for things to get better? We all eventually fight the blues and make it. The only difference is how people deal with it. Some have to go through it alone, and some lucky ones have their friends to help them get through the atrocities life has inflicted on them. Some rely on alcohol, some on a pint of chocolate chip ice-cream. And then there are those who have the best stress busters anyone can ask for - their furry friends aka pets. Recall the days after your breakup when the only thing that made you feel better was snuggling with Mr Fluffy? Looking into those immaculate puppy eyes made you feel like it was all going to be better, didn't it? In their own little ways our furry friends have always been there for us. We can only return the favour by taking good care of them, which may even call for some tough love sometimes.
V for vaccine
Vaccinating your pet is rule number one when it comes to pet care. Not vaccinating can pose threat to humans and some of the diseases can be transferred to them as well. Most of us buy our pets from the local pet stores which unfortunately have awfully insanitary facilities and that is an understatement. The pets are thus highly susceptible to diseases and need to be vaccinated right away. However don't rush to the vet and get your pet injected with every vaccine there is, they won't need all of them. Consult your vet and establish a vaccination protocol that's right for your pet. Factors such as age, medical history, environment, travel habits and lifestyle are taken into account to decide precisely what vaccines your pet will need.
When is the right time?
The pets in our local pet stores are synonymous to a princess in a tower, waiting for someone to rescue them from a life of misery. There is not much to be done about the conditions of the stores but you can take measures to protect your precious pet afterwards. Take your pet for a routine check-up right after buying it and get it vaccinated immediately. Puppies are ideally vaccinated at eight and 10 weeks, kittens at nine and 12 weeks, and rabbits from five weeks, with an initial course of two injections. Your undeveloped pet must then be given a booster 12 months after their first vaccination. Your pet may also need additional vaccinations in the later years when their immunity starts dwindling.
There it is!
You would be very surprised to know that the best place to get your pet vaccinated is the Central Veterinary hospital, because when has the service of something public been decent? Feline-lover and owner of six cats Kashfia Ibrahim suggests it is best to get your pet vaccinated from there as it is more reliable. There have been cases of fraudulence so it is best to choose a renowned pet clinic. Even though your expenses may shoot up but nothing should matter more than the well-being of your companion. You will find good vets in Gulshan, Lalmatia and Khilkhet. For the sake of your convenience you can even have the vet or other trained professionals come to your place to check-up on your pet. House calls only cost Tk200-300 extra as conveyance. You can also look at www.pet.com.bd for contact details of good vets in Dhaka.
Neutering and spaying
This is where the tough love bit comes in. Spaying and neutering in a nutshell means removing the reproductive organs of pets for curbing bad behaviour and keeping overpopulation in check. This may sound harsh but will only ensure long-term benefits for your pet. Pets are spayed and neutered typically when they have come of age. It is highly advisable to get your pet neutered/spayed from an experienced vet because this procedure gone wrong can have dire consequences. Rabbits can also be neutered/spayed as they reproduce faster than cats and dogs. Bunny-owners whose collection started from a pair and grew to a dozen know what we are talking about.
