This is perhaps one of the most frequent questions asked by those who have a dog or are thinking of buying or adopting one. The recommendation is that the vet gives your pet a check-up at least once a year, but in this article we are going to show you that there are occasions when it is necessary to increase the frequency. How often should I take my dog to the vet?
Regular check-ups to detect problems in time
If you are concerned about your dog’s health, preventing any disorder is the best strategy to protect it. That is why the vet will schedule regular check-ups in which they will properly monitor its physical and mental condition.
Dogs usually need to increase the number of visits at certain stages of their life, such as when they are puppies, elderly or pregnant females. Although, of course, it is worth pointing out that if you notice any disorder in your pet you should go to the vet as soon as possible.
Puppies
When the dog is a puppy, vets usually schedule the vaccination calendar to strengthen its immune system and carry out examinations of the animal to rule out hereditary problems. On these visits the vet will fully deworm the animal, which at this age is usually done by administering tablets. In addition, the vet will recommend the most suitable diet for its correct development, as well as advice on its education to create good habits.
Older dogs
Dogs are considered older when they are more than 7 years old, although this varies depending on the breed. From this age, dogs have to face the appearance of illnesses such as osteoarthritis, heart, metabolic or digestive problems. When your dog gets older it may have a decrease in its defences and be weaker against infections, which is why annual vaccinations are strongly recommended.
Pregnant females
If you have a female dog and are thinking of breeding her, it is important that you go to the vet for advice on the pregnancy. Although annual vaccination is essential at all stages of a dog’s life, in pregnant females it is especially delicate. For this reason, you should keep your pet up to date with deworming and vaccinations. Once the female has been mated, the birth will take place after 65 days of gestation. It is important to carry out monitoring of the pregnancy so that the vet can confirm that mother and puppies are in good condition. During this period, the vet will give you advice on the special diet and care for pregnant dogs.
A preventive plan
In conclusion, to ensure that your pet has a healthy life and delay illnesses caused by ageing, your vet will recommend that you keep your dog on a preventive plan. This plan will be based on a diet suited to each stage of its life, deworming internally and externally on a regular basis, making at least one visit a year to the vet for a check-up and vaccinations, and giving it an active life by taking it out for long walks.
