As a loving dog owner, you want to make sure your pup receives the care they need to live a long and healthy life. Our vets recommend scheduling appointments on a regular basis. Find out more on this article from Danbury.
Prevention & Early Detection
One of the best ways to help your dog live a longer, healthier life is to prevent serious diseases or to catch them in their earliest stages when they are the easiest to treat.
By bringing your dog to the vet regularly, you are giving your veterinarian a chance to keep an eye on your dog's overall health, check for the earliest signs of diseases, and provide you with recommendations for the preventive products that will suit your pup best.
As a pet owner, you may worry about the expenses associated with taking your dog to the vet for regular checkups, especially if your dog appears to be healthy. Nonetheless, being proactive and preventative in caring for your furry companion's health can actually help you save money on more expensive treatments in the future. Our veterinarians understand the importance of early detection and intervention to maintain your pet's well-being.
Routine Wellness Exams - Checkups for Dogs
Bringing your dog to the vet for a routine exam is similar to taking them for a physical checkup. As with people, how often your pet should have a physical depends upon your dog's lifestyle, overall health, and age.
It is generally advised that adult dogs in good health receive yearly wellness exams. However, puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with pre-existing health issues should have more frequent checkups for optimal care.
Puppies Up to 12 Months Old
If your pup is younger than a year old, we recommend taking them to the vet monthly.
During the first year of your dog's life, they are going to require several rounds of vaccinations to help protect them from common infectious diseases such as hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza, corona, parvo, leptospirosis, and rabies. These vaccines will be given to your puppy over 16 weeks and will go a long way toward 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.
According to our veterinarians, spaying or neutering your dog when they are between 14-16 weeks old is advised. This can prevent a range of diseases and unwanted behaviors, as well as the possibility of having unwanted puppies.
Adult Dogs Up To 7 Years of Age
Yearly wellness exams are recommended if you have a healthy, active adult dog between 1 - 7 years old.
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, they will discuss their findings with you and recommend the next steps.
Senior Dogs
Dogs are generally considered geriatric or senior when they are roughly 8 years old, except for giant breeds. Dogs such as Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, Mastiffs, and Saint Bernards age faster than other breeds and will need more preventive care more frequently earlier, usually around 5 years of age.
To ensure the health of your senior dog, it is recommended to visit the vet every 6 months. As older dogs are more prone to injuries and diseases, these checkups will include all the necessary examinations and recommendations, along with some additional diagnostic tests for a more comprehensive assessment of your puppy's overall well being.
A couple of diagnostic tests we recommend for senior dogs can include urinalysis and blood tests to check for early signs of issues such as diabetes or kidney disease.
Geriatric care for dogs also consists of a more proactive approach to keeping your pup comfortable as age-related problems 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.
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.