How Often Should Your Pet Have A Wellness Checkup?
As a pet owner, ensuring the best health possible for your furry friend is top priority. Keeping your pet healthy means having regular wellness checkups. But how often should your pet visit the veterinarian?
There is no definitive answer, but there are several factors to consider a wellness check for your pet. In this article, we will discuss how often your pet should have a wellness checkup and the reasons for it.
Age Matters When it Comes to Wellness Checkups:
The age of your pet is the primary factor that would determine how often they should have a wellness checkup. Puppies, for instance, should have a checkup ever few weeks until they are 4 months old.
Adult pets, on the other hand, should ideally have yearly checkups. Senior pets should have checkups twice a year. Regular wellness checkups allow the veterinarian to detect and treat any conditions early. They also give the vet an opportunity to keep your pet's health optimal.
Annual Vaccinations Typically Happen During Wellness Checkups:
Aside from wellness checkups, annual vaccinations are important to keep your pet healthy. You should keep your pet's vaccinations up to date. The core vaccinations usually administered are for canine distemper, canine parvovirus, feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia. This preventative care will help protect your pet from contracting diseases.
Breed-related Diseases:
Some purebred dogs are more prone to certain diseases than others. Some have genetic predispositions that make them more likely to develop heart disease, hip dysplasia, and other issues.
Vets will typically recommend that dogs with known predispositions should have more frequent wellness checkups. This not only ensures that any issues can be detected early but also allows for increased monitoring of their overall health.
Changes in Behavior or Health:
If your pet starts to show unusual symptoms, such as changes in behavior or appetite, take them to a vet for a wellness checkup right away. Any uncharacteristic symptoms could be the sign of an underlying health problem.
Waiting too long to take your pet in could lead to severe complications. So, if your pet seems off, call the vet and make an appointment, or just bring them in to Companion Veterinary & Urgent Care Center —it's always better to air on the side of caution.
As a pet owner, taking care of your pet is a priority. Regular wellness checkups are helpful in preventing potential health issues. Depending on your pet's age, breed, and overall health status will determine how often your pet should visit the vet.
Remember to keep their vaccinations up-to-date, monitor changes in behavior or health, and be proactive in taking care of your pet's overall health and well-being. By staying on top of your pet's wellness checkups, you can help ensure that your pet lives a long, happy, and healthy life.