A Pet Owner’s Guide to Routine Checkups
When you adopt a family pet, you should provide for it throughout life. And visiting an animal hospital or veterinarian’s office for medical attention is essential to caring for a pet. You are aware that frequent checks are necessary for the health of your dog or cat.
But how frequently should they get them? The answer will depend on if your pet requires a routine examination and immunizations, whether there are any current health problems, or whether you’ve seen something unusual and want it examined.
Routine Checkups Typical Schedule
A yearly checkup should be a regular aspect of your pet’s care, regardless of breed. Your pet’s health and happiness are ensured with vaccinations, dental cleanings, physical examinations, grooming visits, parasite prevention, desexing, and professional guidance on any fears you might have.
Puppy or Kitten: From Birth to 12 Months
The average age of a kitten or puppy when you bring them home is four months. Your puppy or kitten will require several immunizations within the first year of their lives. Vaccines against distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvo, corona, rabies, and leptospirosis are recommended for puppies.
Kittens should receive the FVRCP vaccination, which helps guard your kitten against three hazardous and fatal feline conditions. The veterinarian will evaluate your puppy or kitten to ensure that they usually develop and don’t show any sickness symptoms.
When you bring your pet to be spayed or neutered, they’ll check again in around six months. They could also begin flea treatment, depending on whether the animal was a stray or not. A kitten or puppy should visit the veterinarian regularly during their first year to ensure they are developing normally and are healthy.
Adult Pets Up to Seven Years Old
When a cat or dog becomes one year old, they usually only need to visit the animal hospital or veterinarian clinic yearly. Your vet will do a head-to-tail examination of your pet during the standard inspection of an adult animal to search for any early indications of sickness or other problems, such as dental decay, joint discomfort, or parasites.
To check for heartworms, they will also draw blood from your dog. Since the data are hard to interpret, cats are often not examined for this. If your animal has any issues or the doctor notices anything strange while executing the checkup, they may recommend further tests. Visit websites like westportveterinary.com for a lab facility with a good track record.
Your dog may also need additional vaccinations to avoid illnesses like kennel cough. Outdoor cats should also have feline leukemia vaccinations. It is beneficial to bring a sample of your pet’s stool for the veterinarian to examine for intestinal parasites.
Senior: Seven to Ten Years and Older
Like people, animals tend to require more medical attention as they age. For this reason, veterinarians encourage that elderly animal to have pet checkups twice a year instead of annually. Elderly dogs can need additional health screening during their appointment, a regular checkup, and any required vaccinations.
Vets encourage seniors to have blood testing and urinalysis as diagnostic procedures to look for prospective health concerns like kidney disease or diabetes in their early stages. Mention any changes you’ve seen in your animal companions, such as the fact that your cat is taking more water or your dog is no longer eager about their regular strolls. These might indicate a new issue like arthritis or renal illness.
Conclusion
Your pet can enjoy a healthier life by avoiding major ailments or catching them early. Regular vet visits allow your veterinarian to monitor your dog or cat’s general health, search for early disease symptoms, and suggest the most acceptable preventative items for your four-legged friend.
Vets know that you may be worried about the cost of bringing your dog or cat in for a checkup when they appear to be in good condition. But adopting a proactive, preventative approach to your pet’s care might help you avoid paying for more costly procedures.
