All dogs should undergo a complete physical check-up at least once in a calendar year. Just like humans, you need to follow routine maintenance for your dog. These checkups and medical examinations give you a chance to track your dog’s growth and development. More importantly, you can also discuss any concerns with your vet. The Center for disease control in animals at Irvine Animal hospital says that annual examinations are a key part of preventative care. Preventative care is the most important step toward taking care of your dog. It includes good nutrition, appropriate exercise, and regular professional care. The objective of taking your dog for routine wellness exams can make you take preferred choices that will eventually benefit their health. You are also going to find out about illnesses and can spot issues early and it can be a major key to successful treatment.
Vets near me have acknowledged pet owners that during annual wellness exams, the veterinarian will give your dog an overall health check-up. They will keenly listen to their heart and lungs, look at their eyes and ears, check for fleas and other bugs on the skin. They will also suggest if any vaccinations are needed or not. After the completion of check-ups, the vet, therefore, will make suggestions for your dog’s nutrition, oral care, and recommendations for activities and medications specific to your pet’s health status.
From Birth Till An Year
When you get a small puppy, you become well acquainted with the veterinarian. Veterinarians Newport Beach suggest that monthly wellness exams during early puppyhood can be highly effective. This should happen once every 3 to 4 weeks until they turn 16 weeks old thus following a basic vaccine schedule.
Most of the vets in Newport Beach and nearby areas have designed a basic vaccination schedule for young puppies.
- 8 weeks: Combined vaccine for distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvo, and corona. This vaccine is given in a series over your puppy’s first year.
- 10 to 12 weeks: Leptospirosis injection.
- 14 to 16 weeks: Leptospirosis injection along with Rabies is also given at 16 weeks or older.
From One Till Seven Years (Adulthood)
Adult dogs typically need wellness exams and fitness tests once in a year. As your dog grows, the health checkups will continue to include an overall checkup, dental exam, and vaccination updates. In addition, the veterinarian will also ask about your dog’s behavior, training, and overall fitness score. It all depends on how you monitor your pets and then bring those which lets the vet make more observations during the checkup and then they may recommend other tests or treatments. This will also let you build a friendly and productive relationship with the veterinarian over time.
Eight Plus Years (Older and Senior Dogs)
Older dogs have more health needs due to the fact that they are aging and are more vulnerable to illness and other injuries in regard to health. This is the reason why senior dogs should see the vet approximately every six months. You also have to include some things in addition to the regular wellness-check stuff. For this, your vet may recommend a variety of diagnostic tests for your older dog. This can include the most common, annual blood testing.
Diagnostic Testing In Dogs
Diagnostic tests are a great way for a vet to detect if there are any issues related to your dog’s health so that it cannot come to a vet emergency. They also provide a baseline on which future tests can be compared. The results can be beneficial later on too if your dog develops a disease because the vet can compare the previous results and see what can be done accordingly for your dog. As your dog gets more senior, your veterinarian may recommend more frequent visits depending on their overall health. It will detect changes more quickly and can give your veterinarian more time to treat issues as they arise.
Bottom Line:
Thus, with the above conclusion, we can say that it’s our responsibility to take good care of our pets. They grow just like humans, and as they age, they are more vulnerable to diseases. Henceforth, it is recommended to have visits on a regular basis to keep up with their overall health.
