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As parents to our pets it is our duty to take care of these furry little guys including things they might not enjoy, like vet visits. Your veterinarian is there to help you keep your pet healthy and happy. They do this because they care about animals and want to see them thrive. Many pet parents often wonder how often should I take my dog to the vet? Well the answer is not black and white so keep reading and we will cover everything you need to know about vet visits.
The general idea is that all dogs should get checked regularly, it is important in order to make sure everything is ok and vaccinations are up to date. The frequency however depends largely on the age and lifestyle of the dog we are talking about. In order to get the maximum help regular visits are crucial from setting result baselines to checking up on progress the relationship you, your dog, and your vet have will be crucial for any potential health problems your furry friend may experience.
As a dog is born, one of the first things you should do is set up a day to visit the vet. This will not only make sure the puppy is healthy, but also set them on the right path to proper vaccination. Puppies require a multi step vaccine and many other individual ones that will require multiple visits.
Each puppy is different and once you go in for your first check up your veterinarian will help you schedule this out. In general it falls once every month for a few months in a row, allowing your vet a chance to give the proper vaccinations but to also monitor your puppies health as the grow into their first year.
A lot happens in this first year of a puppies life including spaying and neutering, all these vaccines, and everything you must buy for a new puppy. This may be an overwhelming time that is expensive as well, but these expenses are to prevent even worse expenses and troubling times down the road.
The puppy year is an important time to follow your vets suggestions as these are some of the times when a dog is most reliant on its owners help. It will also let your vet get a feel for your dogs mannerisms and health in order to properly diagnose problems in the future as they move on to the adult stage.
Once a dog reaches their adulthood you're probably once again asking how often should i take my dog to the vet, well it is far less critical now to have more than one visit to your veterinarian per year. This is due to the fact that they should be healthyenough to not need to, this may not be true for all dogs however and if you believe your dog needs to visit the vet for any reason don't hesitate.
Adult age dogs visit the vet for regular check ups and sometimes receive booster shots if needed. When at these checkups your vet will let you know anything you may need to ensure your dog stays tip top throughout their adult life.
Even though your adult dog is healthy is is still recommended they visit the vet at least once a year and many pet parents may ignore this suggestion but it could be very beneficial if your dog has a hidden illness or injury. It will also give you an outlet to learn more on what your dog might need in their diet, exercise, or vitamins throughout life.
As soon as your dog reaches their elder years around 8 years old they become susceptible to certain illnesses and health problems that may have not been too much of a concert before. Things like vision, joint pain, and weigh problems come into play as well as scary conditions like cancer and seizures. So now the question of how often should I take my dog to the vet becomes tricky.
These can be hard times for any pet owner as medical expenses as well as worry for your furry friend can all come together to form a stress storm full of emotions. There are some preventative measures you can take to ensure the best for your for your elderly puppy.
The first thing you will want to do is visit your vet at least once every six months in order to stay on top of any illnesses your dog may face. As dogs get older health problems become more frequent making a good idea to let your vet have a good understanding of your dog by going multiple times a year.
In addition to this it is helpful to have a nice orthopedic dog bed like the BuddyRest Romeo Orthopedic dog bed. Orthopedic beds are great for any dog as they help joint health and provide proper support for good rest, making them extremely good for older dogs with joint problems.
Another great way to help a senior dog is their diet, make sure to ask your veterinarian about recommendations and if they should be adding supplements like coconut oil to their diet. Weight related problems are easily preventable and many owners don't take the time to properly exerciseand feed their dogs, this may because they don't know how. Make sure to talk to your veterinarian before changing any dogs diet as they will give you great insight into what your dog may need.
Now you've learned how often and when to visit the vet for regular check ups. Regular check ups usually consist of a physical where your vet will monitor the breathing, heart rate, and other attributes that go into a dogs well being. Along with this they will often check if your dog is up to date on their boosters.
Sometimes getting to the vet can be troublesome for either you or your dog, check with your veterinarian to see if they do home visits. Some will and others may consider it if there is a need. These may cost more but if you are unable to get to the vet they may be worth it. And if you need this service but your vet won't accommodate try reaching out to another veterinarian office to see if they will.
In serious conditions you should go directly to the vets ER
These symptoms could include
No one knows your dog the way you do so if you believe your dog need to go to the vet or their emergency room don't be afraid. It is their job to help little Fido and to get the best outcome possible. Veterinarians want to help, that is why they are in the field they are. Don't be afraid to ask them a question as all questions are relevant. We hope this gave some insight into the question ‘How often should i take my dog to the vet’. If you agree or have something else to add feel free to comment on this post, and make sure to share this information with anyone who might have a dog.
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Grant Withers
I am a writer for SitStay with a love of pets and especially dogs! I love writing about these furry little goofballs and hope to educate pet parents about anything and everything regarding their dogs.
