When it comes to taking care of your dog, you want them to be in tip top shape at all times regarding their health. Taking them to a veterinary care center on a regular basis is the best thing you can do for your dog. If your dog is under the age of 10, they should visit a veterinary care center once a year, and ever six months if they are older than 10.
Around 80% of the annual revenue generated from the veterinary industry comes from taking care of dogs and cats, which includes a wellness exam.
What is a wellness exam? Just like we have yearly physicals or routine dental checkups, your pet should go in for their wellness exam in order to make sure that things are functioning as they should. If a veterinarian technician can detect a problem in its early stages, that issue will most likely be resolved more easily and will also be less expensive.
Components of pet wellness: Receiving a series of booster shorts, or a tetanus shot every 10 years, your dog should be given appropriate vaccinations on schedule. Heartworm prevention and routine deworming are also important for the wellness of your furry friend. If they need antibiotics, the vet should provide these for you as well. Remember that all antibiotics should be given for a certain length of time and need to be fully completed, even if your pet is feeling better.
What your vet will look for: During the wellness exam, the vet will ask you a series of veterinarian questions about your dog’s diet, exercise routine, behavior, habits, etc. Be sure to answer these questions as honestly and completely as possible — your pet depends on it!
Based on your dog’s past health and physical exam history, the vet will make recommendations for aspects of your pet’s health such as weight management programs or preventative medicine. A veterinarian for dogs will cater their decisions based on your dog’s breed, age, and current health.
The specifics. Your veterinarian is very keen on making sure that they do not miss anything when examining your dog. During the physical examination, there are a few important things they will look for:
- How your dog walks and stands
- Alertness and responsiveness
- Body condition (are they overweight, malnourished, etc.)
- Mouth health (proper gum color and checking for plaque buildup)
- Healthy ears and eyes
If you have any other questions regarding your pet’s wellness exam, don’t hesitate to ask your veterinary care center about what other aspects of the exam you can expect. And remember, this is the pet equivalent of your physical — you don’t want to skip it!
