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- Regular vet visits are important to keep your pet healthy and avoid expensive treatments later.
- Vets offer telehealth and other flexible care and treatment options.
- Minor symptoms could turn into major pet health disasters if left untreated.
As the owner of a graying Golden Retriever who I'll reluctantly admit is entering his senior years, I have my vet on speed dial. In addition to his annual exam, my dog is at the vet at least once a quarter for allergy shots and other ailments. I've been considering getting another dog. But, as I weighed the costs and benefits, I wondered how often most dogs need to see the vet.
It turns out it's even more than I thought, enough to make me think twice about getting a new puppy while also caring for a senior dog. If you don't have pet insurance, the financial costs build quickly.
“A lot can happen in a year, and our pets don't have a great way of telling us or showing us what is wrong,” says Dr. Brian Evans, a veterinarian who likes to see his patients at least twice a year.
Veterinary visits by age
Your pets' needs change as they age. For example, dogs are most vulnerable to conditions like parvo when very old or very young. In addition, at certain ages, dogs are more susceptible to some genetic diseases. So it's important to plan your vet visits accordingly.
Puppies
Just like young humans, regular vet check-ups for puppies are crucial. Evans suggests, “Puppies need at least three trips to the vet to get their vaccines and another to be spayed or neutered.” Pet insurance typically does not cover routine care like spaying or neutering, but a wellness plan might.
Wellness plans can be added to your regular insurance policy for an additional fee. These plans have their own premiums and coverage limits, but they generally don't require deductibles or co-pays.
Adult dogs
A healthy adult dog generally needs to see their vet at least once a year for a checkup and vaccine boosters. However, some vets recommend more frequent visits, like if your dog has a chronic illness or if they're becoming senior pets soon.
Senior dogs
Like puppies, aging dogs also need to visit the vet more often. Older dogs, like my boy, generally have more health issues. Getting their blood work and urine analysis done twice a year can help your vet keep your older dog healthy.
Factors influencing vet visit frequency
Aside from your pup's age, their health and breed determine how often you should visit the vet.
Health status and history
An adult dog with no signs of health issues may only need to go to the vet once or twice per year. However, if your pet is battling a chronic illness or has an injury that needs monitoring, you likely have to take them to the vet more often.
Breed-specific health concerns
Work with your vet to identify potential health conditions that may arise from your pet's breed and size. Due to their limited breed pool, purebred dogs are more prone to recessive genetic disorders than mixed-breed dogs. Smaller dogs are also more likely to develop health conditions than medium and large-sized dogs. As your dog ages, signs of illness may become more apparent, warranting more vet visits.
Routine care and preventive measures
Some of the most severe and costly illnesses come from preventable issues. “The most common reason why a pet is brought in unnecessarily is due to easily preventable problems, such as fleas that can be avoided with regular medication,” Evans says.
Vaccinations and parasite control
Dogs should receive most of the necessary vaccinations before turning one year old. Here's a basic vaccination schedule for your puppy:
- 6 to 8 weeks: first DHLPPC shot (vaccine for distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, parvo, and canine coronavirus)
- 10 to 12 weeks: second DHLPPC shot
- 12 to 24 weeks: rabies
- 14 to 16 weeks: third DHLPPC shot
Keeping up with your dog's routine care also means putting them on heart-worm medication and tick and flea prevention. This is especially important if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors or around other dogs.
Dental care
Routine dental cleaning for your pet can prevent severe dental illnesses, such as periodontal disease and gingivitis, in the long run. According to Spot, an examination, removal of plaque and tartar, and polishing cost between $150 to $350.
You can get a wellness plan to offset the cost of pet dental care and other preventive treatments. According to Pawlicy Advisor, the monthly premium of a basic wellness policy can be as little as $9.95 for hundreds of dollars in coverage.
Weight management and nutrition
Even something as routine as ensuring your dog eats a healthy diet can go a long way. A knowledgeable vet can monitor your pet's weight and nutrition to ensure you address risk factors early. For example, putting your dog on a diet is much easier than paying to treat serious conditions like osteoarthritis, diabetes, and heart disease aggravated by obesity.
Recognizing signs your dog needs vet attention
After nearly 11 years together, I can recognize when my dog needs a trip to the vet. Scratching his ears is a tell-tale sign of ear infections, while rolling shows me his skin allergies are acting up. Getting pet insurance early ensures you have the best chance of getting coverage for things like allergies.
Behavioral changes
“If you notice that your pet is sleeping more than normal, not wanting to go on a walk, or refusing meals, it is probably worth speaking with a veterinarian,” Evan says.
These symptoms could indicate manageable or easily treated conditions. Unfortunately, many dogs display identical symptoms when suffering from a severe disease. Dogs' instincts drive them to mask symptoms, never giving the pack reason to think they're unwell. So these seemingly minor symptoms can be a big deal.
These are some behavioral changes to keep watch for:
- Lethargy (disinterest in playing or going for a walk, less responsiveness to commands)
- Sudden disorientation
- Extreme pain (displayed by whining or shaking)
- Behavioral changes (unusual aggression, anxiety, restlessness)
- Inability to stand, wobbliness, or dragging of limbs
- Change in eating habits
Physical symptoms
The following are several physical symptoms that signal that it is time for a visit to the vet:
- Excessive thirst
- Change in eye Appearance
- Frequent or bloody vomiting
- Change in stool
- Sudden weight loss
- Scooting
Planning for your dog's veterinary care
Stay ahead of your dog's vet care by choosing the right vet, setting reminders, and ensuring your financial situation is in shape.
Setting reminders and budget
Keep track of your dog's medical history and set reminders for routine veterinary visits, vaccinations, and preventive treatments. Doing so can help you budget for costs throughout the year.
Emergency expenses can be harder to account for financially since they're unexpected. Pet insurance can help you manage those costs, but you'll need to save for deductibles and co-pays in case you need to file a claim.
Choosing the right vet for your dog
A long-lasting relationship with your vet starts by choosing a vet that aligns with you and your pet's individual needs. Conduct online research, ask for recommendations from your family and friends, or consult local pet communities, like the Humane Society, for recommendations. Then, consider the following factors when comparing potential candidates:
- Location
- Office hours
- Staff professionalism
- Payment options
- Medical services
- Emergency care
- Facility cleanliness
- Professional Affiliations
When you've decided on a few, it would help to tour the vet hospital or clinic and ask the staff any questions you have.
Telehealth visits for dogs
As you can see, keeping your dog healthy and happy requires a big commitment. This doesn't even account for the inevitable moment when your dog eats your favorite bar of chocolate or devours a sock (I speak from experience).
“We've all had those moments of panic — your pet got into something they shouldn't have, your veterinarian's office is closed, and you aren't sure it's necessary to rush them to the emergency room,” Zabell says.
If you're unsure whether your dog needs an exam, you can call your vet for their opinion. Alternatively, you can find a vet offering telehealth visits. Telehealth can supplement in-person veterinary care and is an excellent option for dogs like mine, who are terrified of the vet.
“Having a regular physical vet clinic is important for their twice-yearly examinations, vaccinations, and labs, but also having an online veterinary care option can be important to fill in the gaps between those examinations and give you a needed veterinary resource throughout the year,” Evans says.
FAQs
Puppies should visit the vet several times in their first year for vaccinations, health exams, and other preventative treatments. A basic vaccination schedule starts around 6 to 8 weeks of age and continues every 2 to 4 weeks until they're about 4 months old.
Adult dogs should visit the vet at least once or twice per year for a routine check-up and dental cleaning. Depending on their health status, lifestyle, and vaccine schedule, some may need to visit more frequently.
Senior dogs around seven years of age and older may require more frequent vet visits to monitor for age-related health issues.
You should visit a vet if your dog displays sudden changes in their physical condition or habits. Some signs include behavioral changes, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive scratching or licking, and limping.
