Prevention they say is better than cure and that applies 100% even when it comes to the health of your dog. Because they’re animals it’s easier to assume that they do not need optimal health check-ups just as we humans
However, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has another assertion. AAHA says that preventative care helps pets have a greater chance of living longer and better lives.
Taking your dog to a vet should be done as often as possible to keep your dog in tip-top shape. So many pet owners often ask, how often should I take my dog to the vet?
Below you will find details about how often you should take your dog to a vet on a general note and according to age.
Table of Content
How Often Should I Take My Dog To The Vet?
Basically, the number of times you should take your dog to the vet is based on factors such as the dog’s age, lifestyle, breed, existing health conditions, among other factors.
But generally, dogs should visit the vet for a wellness check-up at least once a year.
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How Often Should My Puppy Dog Visit A Vet?
When your dog is still very young, chances are that you will visit the vet more regularly at least for the puppy’s first year of life.
This is so because at this point you learn valuable information about the dog’s health, growth track, nutrition, parasite and disease prevention, behavior, and training, and socialization.
At this stage, the puppy gets five core vaccines as recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association when they are six to eight weeks old.
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How Often Should My Adult Dog Visit A Vet?
If your dog is aged 1-7 years they need annual check-ups even if they are very healthy. Here your adult dog undergoes a physical exam from the tail to nose which is more important.
Also, the vet will check their vitals, weight, check for lumps or bumps, listen to their heart and lungs, examine their dental health and joint health and bone health.
How Often Should My Senior Dog Visit A Vet?
Senior dogs are those aged between 8 years and above. These sets of furry friends need to go to the vet at least twice a year for check-ups.
This is so because senior dogs are prone to illness and injuries, visiting the vet twice a year can help address any issues before they occur.
When senior dogs go to the vet, the vet performs a complete physical exam, dental check up, weight, look out for mobility issues or joint pain, run blood and urine tests to check internal organ function.
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What Emergencies Should Make Me Take My Dog To A Vet?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), here are some health emergencies that will require you to take your dog to a vet:
- Seizure
- Severe pain.
- Car accidents.
- Injury to the eye.
- Unconsciousness.
- Attacked by another animal.
- Choking or having trouble breathing.
- Bleeding, blood in urine, coughing up blood, etc.
- Incidence of a broken bone or inability to move their legs.
- Poisonous food consumption such as antifreeze, chocolate, rat poison etc
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea – or refuses to drink for 24 hours or more.
How Often Do Dogs Need Shots?
Adult dogs require booster shots to be administered every one to three years to maintain their immunity to the diseases they were inoculated against as puppies.
How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?
Generally speaking, a healthy dog with a short, smooth coat and no skin problems doesn’t need to be bathed often. In most cases, dog baths are more for the benefit of their pet parents than for the dogs themselves. Even so, it’s a good idea to bathe your pooch at least once every two to three months.
Why Don’t People Take Their Pets To The Vet?
One of the reasons why people do not take their pets to the vet is that the cost of checking the health of the dog is expensive. This is so because the medical equipment to perform human-grade services is expensive.
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At What Age Can I Stop Vaccinating My Dog?
By the time your pets are 8, 10 or 12 years old, they should have been vaccinated for some diseases several times in their lives. However, boosters come every three years, as recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association and the American
Are Yearly Dog Vaccinations Really Necessary?
Yes, yearly dog vaccinations are essential in order to prevent the once common deadly puppy diseases. However, there is no evidence that annual booster vaccination is anything but beneficial to the majority of dogs.
References
- https://www.pumpkin.care/ – How Often Should I Take My Dog to the Vet?
