Guidance on a usual thing such as taking the dog to the vet doesn’t seem useful right? People always are like this common sense everyone knows it but, the real importance of these basic things is huge. Indeed we’ve not any hard and fast rules for “How often should I take my dog to the vet” but it all depends on many factors.
These could be your dog’s health, age, heredity, vaccine, and many more but whom to consider? The number of people who are trying to make people aware of this problem is few to almost none, but no worries!
We are here to give you proper guidance on taking your dog to the vet. So, keep your eyes on this page till the end and know everything that has to be in your knowledge as a pet owner.
How Often Should I Take My Dog To The Vet?
Similar to cats vet visits for dogs also depend on countless factors. They could be any like;
- Dog age
- Dog Health
- Chronic issue
- Breed
- Vaccines and many others;
Make sure there is no particular rule to follow. Perhaps all pets should be examined at least once a year for safety purposes. Their general check-up is a must even if your dog looks fine overall.
We would recommend you to make a good relationship with a vet and make him a friend almost – this way you’ll have a good hold of him whenever any health issue arises. However, a vet is the only option who can make you confirm whether to visit him or not.
The majority of people would like to have their pet’s annual checkup – but it is not enough.
The vet visits should not be steady but it’s actually depending on the overall dog’s health. For suppose senior dogs and puppies need more visits as compared to active adult dogs. An adult dog with good health will need an annual checkup it will be enough.
No need to get nervous about vet visit costs but remember that your dog’s checkup is a part of pet care which keeps your dog healthier for a long time. You can even save your money through it.
Puppy Vet Visits
As per experts the first year of your friend’s life is sensitive and needs much care. You cannot ignore a one year puppy so his health might ask for vet visits frequently. The majority of people get monthly checkups while a few go for semi-year checkups.
The main reason behind the starting age checkup is vaccination – which starts from 6-8 weeks and remains continued for the rest of his life. AKC (American kennel club) recommends distemper and parvovirus vaccines as the starting shots. At the age of 10-12 weeks, your puppy will need (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus) doses. After 6 weeks of this vaccine, it will be another time for the next dose of DHPP and first rabies.
Within all these vaccines a vet will definitely examine overall health of your small dog and will prescribe anything else if he needs like flea and tick preventatives; while he can confirm evidence of heartworms as well.
At the age of 6-9 months, your pup is all ready for neutering or spaying.
Adult Dog Vet Visits
At the age of 1 to 8 years your canine friend will still need regular vet visits – even if he’s healthy then once a year vet visit must. Again underlying health issues and dog breeds may insist you to have more vet visits so; a vet will give you the best plan for visits.
In the adult age still dog needs DHPP and rabies vaccines every 1 to 3 years but he may need some more depending on the region. In those areas where Lyme disease is common dogs will need frequent vaccines.
Indeed regular check-ups will allow the vet to check dog teeth because a lot of bacterial diseases come through the mouth. Certain times liver and kidneys get infected by teeth bacteria however it is good to keep dog teeth clean always. Bad breath and many other mouth issues may tend to unclean teeth so; a vet can help you to deal with it.
Within visits, he may also recommend a healthy diet plan that might be needed if a dog is over-weighted or blood tests for further investigation.
Senior Dog Vet Visits
At the age of 8 yrs probably you’ll start visiting of vet roughly two times a year for a healthy adult. While dog teeth become weaker as he gets older so, a vet will monitor the dog’s chomps. The majorities of vets go with more blood tests and consider a change in dog diet.
For a senior dog, it is possible to switch on a few calories to boost health.
Deciding more hope an owner will be seeing a vet for years – but preventative care can reduce vet visits, also it will help you to be comfortable for upcoming years. Consulting a vet can be costly so, it is good to take preventative care to avoid big procedures.
It is all clear that with only vaccine visits or clinics your dog will not get all medical care because the majority of times you’ll have the same for which you pay.
Annual Wellness Exam And Its Importance For A Dog
Usually, dogs need a complete physical checkup annually – you may include this checkup in a routine till he lives. It comes in a dog’s maintenance where vets do complete physical checkup. With the help of this you can simply track your dog’s growth and development and then can simply discuss it in the most concerning way.
The majority part of this annual checkup is the basic key to preventative care for a pet. In which vets will listen to the dog’s heartbeat and examine the heart rate, lungs eyes, ears, fleas, and many other common areas deeply.
They do vaccines as well if needed – suggest a healthy notorious diet and dental care. Their dental care and activity recommendation are also worth it for dogs. To keep a dog’s health status up they prescribe medications if needed. Through this annual examination, you can keep a complete health record of a breed. Make sure your laziness for the annual wellness exam may lead to many health issues even death.
As per (AAAH) American association of animal hospitals dog is more likely to get sick if don’t have vet visits (at least once a year.) Being a responsible owner of your dog, his healths is your responsibility so, being practical and have all needed visits for your dog.
What About Emergencies?
Annual, semi-annual, and regular vet visits should not be the only ones to grab the vet’s attention but some emergencies should also be considered. In an emergency, your dog should be the only priority makes sure owners’ negligence in an emergency can be a direct reason for a dog’s health.
In order to avoid the risk of complications knowing some signs can help you better whether to get a vet visit or not. Perhaps some crucial health condition can make you late. To guide you better we’ve given such symptoms below through you can get an idea about the severity level of a dog’s health.
Once you notice any of these then go to the pet ER instantly without thinking a second.
Symptoms To Get Noticed
- When your dog is sleeping more than usual or suddenly can’t control itself.
- Getting into a serious accident (for example, getting hit by a vehicle) or something heavy falls and causes injury
- Congestion in breathing or struggling while inhaling
- Having a diarrhea session for more than 24 hours or vomiting continuously
- The bones feel broken or fractured and difficulty in walk
- Suddenly getting a panic attack or shock
- The mouth color starts fading and becoming black or white
- Swallows something expired, non-suitable, toxic
- Doesn’t wants to socialize and inactiveness on the face
- Having hard core pain and lays straight for hours
- Lack of movement
- Hard abdomen and swelling body part
- Fainting out of nowhere
- A breakdown jumps into the brain
Rather than these entire if you see any type of unexceptional activity in your dog then please do concern with your family vet. Your small table talk with a physical checkup will conclude something really factual. As an owner, a pet is your responsibility and his health also.
What Are The Signs If My Dog Is In Pain?
Well, the paining is such a crucial feeling for all lives – dogs also has emotions. If you see him with Shaking, flattened ears interacting or exercise, lameness (limping), stiffness after rest, loss of appetite, low posture, aggression, grumpy temperament, panting or crying, excessive licking or scratching a specific area, not interested to play, etc make sure your canine friend is painful.
