Taking care of pet’s annual vet visit makes good New Year’s resolution

Dear Readers: The first of the year is a good time to schedule an annual exam for your pets. Regular preventive medicine can enrich the life of your pet, and catching something before it gets worse is better for the pet, and your pocketbook.

What does an annual exam cover? Here’s some of what to expect. The doctor will look at, among other things:

Teeth: signs of decay and pain

Coat and skin: lumps, bumps, hair loss, itchiness, etc.

Ears and eyes: discharge, redness

Feet and legs: toenail trouble, limping, etc.

Breathing and heart: coughing, runny nose, shortness of breath.

The doctor typically will ask you about the animal’s diet, how much exercise the animal gets, any tummy trouble (vomiting, diarrhea, constipation) and any changes in temperament and behavior. The doctor will want the animal updated on vaccinations, flea and heartworm prevention, and blood tests, especially for older animals.

Be prepared: Keep a journal of your animal’s health, and ask lots of questions — your animal’s well-being depends on it!

Heloise

Dear Heloise: Winter is here, and it is time for hot drinks. My favorite is your cocoa recipe. To it, I add 1 tablespoon of my homemade vanilla, and a large dollop of real cream of coconut (not coconut milk). Delicious!

Rachel B., Springdale, Ark.

Rachel, wonderful! Readers, my cocoa mix is pretty easy: Blend 2 cups of powdered milk, a dash of salt,  1/4 cup cocoa and 1 cup powdered sugar. For a richer taste, add 1/3 cup powdered nondairy creamer and/or a tablespoon of malted-milk powder.

Mix 4 tablespoons in a cup and fill with boiling water. Enjoy!

Mix the drink with a leftover candy cane.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: To keep clay flowerpots upright outside, use an old piece of silverware or other metal dowel piece.

Insert it into the ground through the drain hole in the pot. Use metal; wood will break down over time.

Peggy B., Bellbrook, Ohio

Dear Heloise: My dachshund just got spayed. She needed to wear the “cone of shame” the first day (so she wouldn’t lick her sutures).

After that, we switched her over to a baby onesie, which does the trick and is cute, besides.

Pat B., via email

This story was originally published December 31, 2016 at 7:27 AM with the headline "Taking care of pet’s annual vet visit makes good New Year’s resolution."