You love your pooch and want to give them the best chance at a long, healthy and happy life. That's where regular preventive veterinary care can help. But exactly how often should you take your dog to the vet? Read this post to find out.
Preventive Care & Early Detection
Preventing serious diseases, or ensuring they are detected in the very earliest stages, can help your pup remain healthier, longer.
Taking your dog for regular visits to the vet offers your vet the chance to monitor your pet's general health, check for the earliest symptoms of disease (when conditions are more easily treated), and offer recommendations on the best preventive products for your furry companion.
Our vets understand that many pet parents have concerns about the cost of bringing their dogs in for a checkup when they seem healthy. However, taking a proactive preventive approach to your dog's healthcare may save. you the cost of more costly treatments in the future.
Routine Wellness Exams - Checkups for Pets
Think of bringing your dog to the vet for a routine exam as similar to taking your pooch in for a physical. Just like with people, how often your pet should have a checkup depends on your dog's lifestyle, age and overall health.
Healthy adult dogs should usually have an annual wellness exam, but senior dogs, puppies and dogs with underlying health issues benefit from more frequent examinations.
Puppies Up to 12 Months Old
If your canine companion is less than a year old then monthly visits to your vet are recommended.
During your pup's first year they are going to need several rounds of vaccinations to help keep them protected against common infectious diseases such as distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvo, corona, rabies, and leptospirosis. These vaccines will be given to your puppy over 16 weeks and will go a long way towards keeping your puppy healthy.
The exact timing of your young dog's vaccinations will vary depending on your location and your furry friend's overall health.
Between 6 - 12 months our vets recommend having your pooch spayed or neutered to prevent a host of diseases and undesirable behaviors as well as unwanted puppies.
Adult Dogs Up To 7 Years of Age
If you have a healthy, active adult dog between 1 and 7 years old, yearly wellness exams are recommended.
During your adult dog's exam, your vet will perform a head-to-tail examination of your pet to look for early signs of illness or other issues, such as tooth decay, joint pain, or parasites.
Your vet will also administer any required vaccines, speak to you about your dog's diet and nutritional requirements, recommend appropriate parasite protection, and discuss any training or behavioral issues you may be noticing.
If your veterinarian detects any signs of developing health issues your vet will discuss their findings with you and recommend the next steps.
Senior Dogs
Dogs are typically considered senior or geriatric when they are about 8 years old, except in the case of giant breeds. Dogs such as Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, Mastiffs, and Saint Bernards age more quickly than other breeds and will require more frequent preventive care earlier, typically around 5 years of age.
Since many canine diseases and injuries tend to be more common in older dogs we recommend taking your senior dog to the vet every 6 months. Twice-yearly wellness check-ups for your senior dog will include all of the checks and advice mentioned above, but with a few added diagnostic tests to provide extra insight into your pet's overall health.
Some diagnostic tests we recommend for our senior patients include blood tests and urinalysis to check for early signs of problems such as kidney disease or diabetes.
Geriatric care for pets also includes a more proactive approach to keeping your pet comfortable as age-related issues such as joint pain become more common. If you have a senior dog, ask your vet how often you should bring your pet in for an examination.
Wellness Plans
Many veterinarians strive to make preventive care more affordable for their clients by offering Wellness Plans.
Your veterinarian may offer Wellness Plans for dogs of all sizes to help make your pup's routine annual care easier on your wallet. With our Wellness Plans, the preventive services your pet needs to stay healthy are bundled. These include routine exams, parasite prevention, vaccinations, and more. You will then have a monthly payment plan to help you save money and manage your budget.
Ask your vet about a Wellness Plan for your pup.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.