One ounce of prevention is worth one pound of healing. We’ve all heard this, but how does it relate to dogs? Do you often ask yourself, “How often should I take my dog to the vet?” Your dog’s annual wellness check is an essential part of being a pet parent and taking our beloved dogs to the vet periodically to identify problems faster.
It’s easy not to think about bringing your dog in Veterinarians when he’s healthy, but do it. That baseline will make it easier for your veterinarian to see changes in your dog. For example, maybe your dog is gaining or losing weight. Maybe her breathing pattern has changed or she just can’t look as well as she used to. If your vet doesn’t see her often, these small but important changes will be more difficult to diagnose and could miss something important. Additionally, annual checkups make sure you keep your dog’s vaccines up to date.
Depending on their age and health history, a dog’s physical exam may also include a weight check and blood tests. This is important because usually, the quicker you notice something unusual, the easier it is to treat and this can save you money. And if your dog has any prescriptions, an annual check-up is necessary to keep it refilled.
The annual exam is minimal. How often you should take your dog to the vet will depend on the dog’s health. Your puppy may visit more often for the first shots, an adult dog only once per year for annual checkups while your older dog will need to have a routine check-up every six months once. Their time with us was shorter than we would have liked, help ensure you have plenty of time with your best friend by not skipping the vet.
