Dr. Teja Bain is a veterinarian in Atlanta who was born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas. She’s had a love for animals since she was a young girl and wanted to become a vet to help animals in need. She’s a graduate of Tuskegee University School of Veterinarian Medicine and has a practice in the treatment and surgery of various animals. Dr. Bain took a little time away from her busy schedule to talk to rolling out about pet care and being a veterinarian. –tammie reed
Why did you want to become a veterinarian?
I’ve always loved animals for as long as I can remember! I was the child that got in trouble for trying to pet any dog that I saw, whether or not he was barking or growling at me. For me, there was never another career option. I wanted to be sure that, when they got sick or needed help, I would know what to do to help them.
Please share some tips for caring for animals.
Proper nutrition: Just as in humans, pets have nutritional needs based on their age and stage of life. Puppies and kittens (which are pets less than one year of age), need food formulated for growth and development (usually contains lots of protein) and should be fed a minimum of two times daily. Adults (ages 1-7) need food designed for maintenance to keep them looking and performing at their best. Geriatric pets (ages 8 and above) generally require food that contains less protein and is good for their joints and bones.
Regular Veterinary visits: Pets should also see their doctor once or twice yearly for a good physical exam, general checkup and blood work. Sometimes, there may be things that your vet can pick up on examination that you may not have noticed at home which can be detrimental to the health of your pet.
Heartworm Prevention: Heartworm disease is the disease that I am most passionate about. Heartworms are transmitted via mosquitoes, and any pet that spends time outdoors can be susceptible. This disease is easily preventable by giving your pet a monthly pill or topical medication, which are readily available at all veterinary hospitals and are reasonably priced.
Proper Dental Care: Most people seem to forget that their pets have teeth and, just as in humans, proper oral and dental care is necessary. Dental disease was actually the most common disease and most neglected aspect of veterinary medicine according to many veterinary journals. Not only will teeth problems cause bad breath, but kidney, heart and liver disease and weight loss can also occur if the teeth are not cared for properly. Tooth brushes, dental chews and bones are available at pets stores everywhere.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Heat stroke is one the major problems that I typically see around this time of year. Keep your pets cool and shaded and make sure they have lots of water at all times. Obesity is a huge problem for both humans and pets in the United States. Don’t overfeed your pets, and make sure they get adequate exercise everyday.
Do you have advice for people wanting to become veterinarians?
For me, being a veterinarian is a very rewarding profession and, although it is not yet a profession where one can become rich, the fact that I am helping to make a positive difference in the lives of animals and people makes up for what I don’t receive monetarily.
