As a pet parent, providing regular veterinarian care for your dog is one of your most important responsibilities. Today, we will look at what constitutes regular veterinary care, when an injury or illness should require an emergency vet visit, and how to find the right veterinarian for your pet.
Dogs need regular veterinary care throughout their lives to ensure health and longevity. Puppies need to be seen by a veterinarian every three or four weeks until they reach about four months of age, while adult dogs need checkups at least once a year.
During a puppy's vet visit, it will be checked for any type of abnormality and general alertness. Your vet will also pay special attention to signs of congenital defects that your puppy may be predisposed to due to its specific breed.
Common veterinary care for puppies includes:
Healthy adult dogs should have a checkup with a veterinarian at least once a year. As a dog ages and becomes geriatric, this should increase to at least twice a year. If your dog has chronic issues that must be treated, follow your veterinarian's advice about the frequency of visits to ensure your dog stays healthy.
Regular veterinary care for adult dogs includes:
Having a sick or injured dog can be one of the scariest and most stressful experiences for a pet parent. Emergency veterinarians are here to help in these situations.
If your dog shows signs of illness, pain, or distress, you should contact an emergency veterinarian immediately.
Some common emergencies dogs have include:
A Note About Expenses: Like human medical expenses, emergency vet visits come with costs and are often a surprise. Many people purchase medical insurance for their dogs to prevent financial concerns associated with emergency medical issues.
Choosing the right veterinarian for your dog and your family is important. We will always want our fur babies to have the best care, so start with ensuring that any veterinarian you take your dog to has the proper licenses and credentials.
It is best if your first vet visit isn’t in an emergency situation. It is far better for your dog if it has experienced regular veterinary care and has a rapport with your family vet.
Always remember that it is okay to ask questions. Make sure that you understand any information related to your dog's health and care very clearly. Be sure to ask your veterinarian about any concerns you have about your dog's care, including those related to their diet, other pets in the home, and long-term treatments.
Visiting your local veterinarian is a valuable tool in keeping your dog healthy. If your dog needs a checkup, don’t wait! Schedule a vet visit today.
Phone: (855) 461-8259
Email: [email protected]
