Every pet owner should ensure that their pets are kept healthy and free from pain. Regular visits to the Vet are very important!
To ensure the quality of life that your four-legged best friend deserves, it is important to regularly visit the veterinarian whenever necessary. Like babies, dogs require much care and attention to their health especially when they start out as puppies. It pays to have a regular vet who you can easily visit for regular check-ups and for when you notice that your dog may be sick.
The advantage of having a regular mainstay vet is that their clinic will have a permanent record of your pet, and so history-taking, follow-up checks, and booster shots are conducted smoothly. Having the number of your vet and any nearby 24-hour vet clinic saved on your phone can also come in handy should an emergency arise.
The First Visit
When you first bring your dog to the vet, he/she will most likely ask you to fill up a form with all the pertinent information about your pooch. Your vet will also be willing to discuss with you about routine procedures, such as deworming, vaccination, and giving medications to prevent tick and flea infestations and heartworm, among other canine diseases that may be rampant in your area.
Feel free to ask your vet about the proper scheduling and choosing the right medications for your dog. When in doubt, ask your vet! Not all medications are safe for all dogs of different breed, age, and size.
The Vaccines To Keep Them Healthy
Vaccines for dogs can be classified into two: core (or recommended) and non-core (or optional). Vaccines that protect dogs against globally significant infectious diseases, specifically canine distemper, canine adenovirus (types 1 and 2), and canine parvovirus type 2, are considered core vaccines because they are recommended to be administered to all dogs worldwide.
Rabies vaccination is a legal requirement in many countries and thus is also recommended by most vets. Non-core vaccines, on the other hand, may vary depending on the area you live and your dog’s general lifestyle, and your vet may weigh the risks with the benefits of providing such vaccines to your dog. It all sounds like a lot, but fortunately your dog does not need a single shot for each disease. 5-in-1 and 6-in-1 vaccines are available, and they give your dogs the protection against most infectious diseases in a single shot.
Puppies should start having their initial core vaccinations at 6 to 8 weeks old, then every 2 to 4 weeks of age until they reach 16 weeks old. Booster shots are recommended every 12 months thereafter. Depending on several factors, your veterinarian will give you a proper vaccination schedule for your pooch to ensure that it stays protected against many infectious diseases that are otherwise easily preventable with vaccines.
What To Be Watching For
Unfortunately, infectious diseases are just one part of the broad spectrum of canine diseases. There are a lot of red flags to watch out for that signify that your dog might not be feeling so well. As a rule of thumb, bring your dog immediately to the vet when you notice a sudden change in its behavior, such as lethargy, inappetence, coughing, colds, and signs that it is in pain. Also let your vet know if you notice a new mass on its body, skin lesions, or any abnormal movement or gait.
Visiting The Vet
Even when you think your dog seems perfectly fine, it is best to take it to the animal clinic for regular annual check-ups. This way, your vet has a better chance at detecting a problem earlier on, and your dog has a better chance of living a longer, healthier, and happier life with you.
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