Getting a furry friend is easy but caring for it can become challenging quickly.If you just bought a little paw-some puppy and need to know how to care for it, we’ve got you covered! Let’s make this wonderful journey easier…Just like humans, dogs also need regular pet visits from a good veterinarian. The majority of dog-owners only get their dogs checked by a vet once a year. The number of appointments a dog may need relies upon the overall health and the life stage of the dog. Healthy dogs do not require much attention from the vet, however, senior dogs and puppies require frequent visits to the vet as they can catch a disease faster, especially in their first year. Preventative health care can ensure that a pup or a senior dog lives longer, and can even minimize the cost of taking your dog to the vet!If you enjoy this article, why not also read about why do dogs bite their tails and why do dogs lick you here on Kidadl?How often should you normally take a dog to the vet?Taking care of a pet is a must for a pet owner. It includes annual to frequent check-ups depending upon the health and age of the dog. Also, preventative healthcare can also lengthen the life of your dog and enhance the quality of life of your sweet pet. If one doesn’t take their pet to the vet, it can possibly deteriorate the health of their beloved pet.All dogs of all ages must make a visit to the vet once a year for a total physical check-up even if they are healthy. This helps in detecting any sign of disease as well as signs of growth. It is an essential duty of the dog owner to take their dog for a vet visit. At the vet, the dogs undergo wellness tests that track the dog’s development and growth. Throughout such examinations, the veterinarian performs an overall check-up of the dog which includes looking for any sign of disease or a worrying issue and listening to the heart rate and breathing rate. It also provides a chance for the vet to discuss any concerning matters or to get updates about any vaccines. Majorly, such annual exams are an essential part of preventative care. They may also give the required vaccinations. At the end of the exam, the vet gives recommendations regarding dental hygiene, dietary needs, activities, as well as medicines that are related to the health of the pup/adult. A dog owner must always take preventative care of their dog. It comprises providing the dog with regular vet visits, a good amount of exercise every day, and good food.Frequency In Taking Old Dogs Vs Puppies To The VetPuppies need visits to the animal health clinic frequently during their first year in the world for the purpose of immunizations and other puppy concerns. Adult dogs only require a visit for their annual wellness exam which includes a dental exam, vaccinations, and a head-to-tail examination. Old dogs can easily catch diseases due to their age and require more visits to keep their health in check. A semi-annual check-up is suitable for an older dog.From the birth of a puppy to the time it turns one year old, it requires monthly wellness exams, which are every three to four weeks till the time it is 16 weeks old. The vet will follow a vaccine schedule as well which will comprise a vaccine for corona, distemper, parainfluenza, parvo, and hepatitis at the age of eight weeks and 10-12 weeks, a Leptospirosis injection at 10-12 weeks, and 14-16 weeks, and a vaccine for rabies when it is 16 weeks. A kennel cough vaccine is also given to the puppy if it goes to a daycare facility. After the puppy’s vaccine schedule is completed, a vet visit won’t be needed until it is spayed or neutered, which happens when the puppy’s age is between six months to a year. Adult dogs only require annual wellness exams. As the dog ages, the exam will include a dental exam as well as a physical checkup. During the annual exam, questions about the overall wellness and behavior will be brought up by the vet, who will then give recommendations related to treatments and tests. Senior dogs that are eight years old or more catch illness easily and may get injured severely easily. Thus, senior dogs must be taken to the vet every six months for diagnostic tests that could include an annual blood test as well.Do different breeds need more vet visits?Yes, different types of breeds require different amounts of vet visits to the animal health center. Some are blessed with good health whereas some go through a wide range of problems that have been passed on to them by their ancestors.Breeds such as the Bulldog, German Shepherd, and Golden Retriever easily fall prey to diseases. Even though they are the most loved dog breeds in the whole world, there are still health problems of these dogs that upset their owners. Bulldogs usually have trouble breathing and most of them need to get the surgery done so as to enlarge their nostrils and to shorten the length of their soft palate, just so that their breathing becomes easier. The German Shepherd looks like a healthy and sturdy dog, but it often faces a wide range of problems that have only risen in number with passing time. They are prone to digestive problems, bleeding disorders, vision problems, epilepsy, degenerative myelopathy, and bad hips. The Golden Retriever is the happiest looking ball of fur that appears all golden and healthy, but unfortunately faces the most common breed-related health issue, cancer. These breeds and the crosses require more medical attention in the late years. However, no breed is a bad breed and many dog breeds face health problems at a certain age, which is natural for all living beings as they grow older.Warning Signs You Should Look Out ForUsually, pets only need semi-annual or annual visits to the veterinary clinic. However, health emergencies can happen and it is imperative to know the signs of a dog in distress or in need of instant medical attention.A dog owner must call the vet instantly if their dog has fallen unconscious and is not waking up, is having difficulty in breathing or has completely stopped doing so, has had diarrhea for 24 hours or more, is vomiting blood, has pale gums, looks like it is having a seizure, or has collapsed and cannot stand up. One must also call the vet right away if the dog has fallen down from a height, or has been hit by a moving vehicle, has pale gums or a hard and swollen abdomen, or has ingested chewing gum, chocolate, antifreeze, or some other toxic substance. One must also hurry to the veterinarian if the dog is showing signs of pain like shaking, whining, or is being anti-social.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for how often should I take my dog to the vet then why not take a look at how often do you walk your dog, or Belgian sheepdog facts?
Getting a furry friend is easy but caring for it can become challenging quickly.
