Preventive Care & Early Detection
Prevention and detection of serious diseases in their early stages can help your dog live a longer, healthier life.
Regularly taking your dog to the vet gives your veterinarian the opportunity to monitor your pet's general health, check for early signs of disease (when conditions are most easily treated), and recommend the best preventive products for your four-legged friend.
Our vets understand you may be concerned about the cost of bringing your dog in for a checkup when they seem healthy. However, taking a proactive, preventive approach to your dog's care can save you the cost of expensive treatments down the road.
Routine Wellness Exams – Checkups for Pets
Taking your dog to the vet for a routine exam is similar to taking your puppy in for a physical. Similar to people, the frequency with which your pet should have a physical is determined by your dog's age, lifestyle, and overall health.
Annual wellness exams are typically recommended for healthy adult dogs. However, puppies, senior dogs, and sogs with underlying health conditions benefit from more frequent examinations.
Puppies Up to 12 Months Old
If your dog is less than a year old, you should take him or her to the vet on a monthly basis.
Your puppy will need several rounds of vaccinations in their first year to keep them protected against common infectious diseases like hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza, rabies, leptospirosis, and parvo. A vet will administer these vaccines to your puppy over the course of 16 weeks. These shots will help keep your puppy healthy.
The precise timing of your dog's vaccinations will vary depending on your location (since some diseases are more prevalent in some geographical areas than in others) and your pet's general health.
Our veterinarians recommend having your dog spayed or neutered when they are between 6 and 12 months old to prevent a variety of diseases and undesirable behaviors, along with unwanted puppies.
Adult Dogs Up To 7 Years of Age
Annual wellness exams are recommended for healthy, active adult dogs aged 1 to 7 years.
During your adult dog's exam, your veterinarian will examine your pet from head to tail to look for early signs of illness or other issues, such as tooth decay, joint pain, or parasites.
Your veterinarian will also administer any necessary vaccinations, discuss your dog's diet and nutritional needs, recommend appropriate parasite protection, and address any training or behavioral issues you may be having.
If your veterinarian notices any signs of impending health problems, he or she will discuss their findings with you and advise you on the next steps.
Senior Dogs
Except for giant breeds, dogs are considered to be seniors when they are around 8 years old. Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, Mastiffs, and Saint Bernards age faster than other breeds and require more frequent preventive care at a younger age, typically around 5 years of age.
We recommend that you take your senior dog to the vet every six months because many canine diseases and injuries are more common in senior dogs. All of the above-mentioned checks and advice will be included in your senior dog's twice-yearly wellness check-ups, as well as a few additional diagnostic tests to provide additional insight into your pet's overall health.
Blood tests and urinalysis are two diagnostic tests we recommend for our senior patients to look for early signs of problems like kidney disease or diabetes.
As age-related issues such as joint pain become more common, geriatric care for pets includes a more proactive approach to keeping your pet comfortable. If you have a senior dog, inquire with your veterinarian about how frequently you should have your dog examined.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. Please make an appointment with your vet for an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition.