How Often Should My Dog Visit the Vet?
Most healthy adult dogs should have a veterinary check up at least once a year. Puppies, older dogs and dogs with ongoing health problems will usually need to be seen more often.
You shouldn’t wait for your dog to become ill before booking an appointment. Regular health checks give your vet a chance to examine their teeth, ears, skin, weight and general health, as well as check whether vaccinations or parasite treatments are due.
If you’re looking for vets in Norwich, Rackheath Vets is an independent veterinary practice in Rackheath welcoming dogs from Norwich and surrounding areas.
How Often Should a Healthy Adult Dog See a Vet?
For a healthy adult dog, an annual check-up is a sensible starting point.
Your vet can examine your dog from nose to tail and look for changes that might not be obvious at home. They’ll usually listen to the heart and lungs, check the eyes and ears, examine the mouth and teeth, feel the abdomen and assess your dog’s weight and general condition.
It’s also a chance to discuss anything you’ve noticed.
Maybe your Labrador has gained weight. Your Spaniel keeps scratching their ears. Your dog suddenly has bad breath. These might seem like small changes, but they’re worth mentioning.
How Often Should Puppies Visit the Vet?
Puppies tend to see the vet more frequently during their first few months.
They’ll need their initial health checks and vaccinations. Depending on the puppy, appointments may also cover microchipping, parasite treatment, diet, dental development and future neutering.
Bringing a new puppy home is also when you’ll probably have the most questions.
How much should they eat? Is that lump normal? When can they go for walks? Why are they chewing everything?
Ask. That’s what the appointment is for.
Do Older Dogs Need More Frequent Vet Checks?
Senior dogs may benefit from being checked more often than once a year.
Dogs age at different rates, so there isn’t one birthday where every dog suddenly becomes a senior. A seven-year-old Great Dane and a seven-year-old Jack Russell aren’t at the same stage of life.
As dogs get older, changes in their mobility, weight, teeth, eyesight and general behaviour can become more common.
You might notice your dog taking longer to get up after sleeping, drinking more water, losing weight or becoming less interested in walks. Don’t simply put every change down to old age.
Speak to your vet if something seems different.
What If My Dog Has an Existing Health Condition?
Dogs with ongoing medical conditions often need more frequent appointments.
A dog being treated for diabetes, arthritis, heart problems or another long-term condition may need regular checks so the vet can see how they’re getting on and whether their treatment needs adjusting.
The same applies if your dog takes regular medication.
Your vet will recommend an appointment schedule based on the individual dog rather than relying on a standard yearly check.
Should My Dog See the Vet Every Year for Vaccinations?
Your dog’s vaccination schedule depends on which vaccines they’ve previously received and what they’re due next.
Some vaccines may need more frequent boosters than others.
Rather than guessing from the date of your dog’s last appointment, check their vaccination record or contact your veterinary practice. They can tell you what’s due and when.
An annual appointment can also be used to check your dog’s general health alongside discussing their vaccination schedule.
When Should I Take My Dog to the Vet Between Check-Ups?
Don’t wait for the annual appointment if your dog becomes unwell or starts behaving differently.
Contact your vet if you’re concerned about changes such as:
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhoea
- Difficulty breathing
- Sudden changes in appetite or drinking
- Limping or signs of pain
- Problems urinating
- Unusual lumps or swelling
- Persistent coughing
- Red or painful eyes
- Changes in behaviour
- Bad breath, sore gums or difficulty eating
Some problems need attention much sooner than others. If your dog appears seriously unwell, has difficulty breathing, collapses or has suffered a serious injury, contact a vet straight away.
What Happens During a Routine Dog Health Check?
Your vet isn’t only looking for one particular illness.
They’ll look at your dog’s overall condition and may check their weight, heart, lungs, teeth, gums, eyes, ears, skin and joints.
They’ll also ask questions.
Has their appetite changed? Are they drinking normally? Have you noticed any changes when they’re walking, sleeping or going to the toilet?
Be specific. Saying your dog has been drinking twice as much as usual for the past week is much more useful than saying they seem a bit different.
Do Dogs Need Dental Checks Too?
Yes. Dental problems can be easy to miss until they become uncomfortable.
Check your dog’s mouth at home for bad breath, tartar, red gums, damaged teeth or changes in the way they eat.
Your vet can also examine their teeth during a routine health check and advise whether further dental treatment is needed.
Vet Appointments in Norwich
If your dog hasn’t had a health check for a while, you don’t need to wait until they’re ill to book one.
Rackheath Vets is based in Rackheath and welcomes pet owners from Norwich and nearby areas. Our team can help with routine health checks, vaccinations, dental care, microchipping, surgery and ongoing veterinary care.
To arrange an appointment, contact Rackheath Vets on 01603 955056.