The Importance of Yearly Check Ups for Your Pup

  “My dog is healthy - He doesn't need to see a vet.”

I’m certain a lot of dog owners have that thought go through their minds when they receive their annual postcard reminder from their vet. While your pet might appear to be in good health, he could be showing warning signs and underlying symptoms your vet would  pick up in an exam and could then correct or slow the progress of. An annual exam consists of more than just vaccinations – Your vet inspects your pup’s whole body from nose to tail. Here is what you can expect during a yearly exam and why each is imperative:

Nose, Eyes, Mouth, and Ears - Your vet will inspect your pooch’s nose for nasal discharge. He is checking for more than a cold – a runny nose is a sign of many different ailments. He'll check your dog's eyes for infection, discharge and debris. Dull eyes are a can be a symptom of parasites, stress, and many more threatening ailments. He’ll inspect your dog’s teeth and gums for plaque, disease, abscesses, and tumors. As dogs age, tartar builds up on their teeth, similar to humans, and ultimately your pet will need a cleaning. Your vet will decide if this is a necessity. Your dog's ears should be clean and clear of any odors. Foul odor is a sympton of infection and mites.

Lungs, Heart, Coat, and Abdomen - Using a stethoscope, your vet will  inspect your pup’s lungs for irregular breathing patterns, congestion, or cough. He'll listen to your dog's heart for abnormal beating. Your vet will check your dog’s skin for parasites, in addition to cuts, swelling, scrapes, lumps, and condition of the coat. A dull coat is a sign of illness. By feeling your dog’s stomach and groin area, your vet can evaluate your dog’s organs and check for signs of pain or discomfort which is a sign of illness. He’ll also check your pup’s lymph nodes for swelling.

Back, Tail, Hips, Legs, and Paws - Your vet will feel your dog’s back and tail to check for spinal issues. The hips and legs will be checked for pain, joint swelling, and stiffness that are caused by arthritis, muscle damage, and other diseases. Finally, the paws and nails will be examined for infection or cuts. There are many optional tests and vaccinations our vets offer and it can be confusing as to whether they are necessary for our pets. Here is a brief explanation of each, so that you can decide if they are right for your pet:

Fecal Exam: During this exam the vet will examine a fecal sample from your pet to check for intestinal parasites. These parasites are not only harmful to your pet – Many are transmittable to humans, particularly small children.

Rabies Vaccination: This vaccination is required by law in the U.S as either a 1 year or 3 year vaccination, depending on your state’s legislation. Rabies is 100% fatal in dogs and there is no treatment available.

Distemper/Parvovirus/Adenovirus: This vaccination protects against all three of these life threatening diseases that any dog could come in contact with. Along with the rabies vaccine, it is considered a core vaccination and shouldn’t be skipped. It should be given every 3 years or more.

Bordetella: This vaccine is recommended for dogs in high-risk environments and is required for dogs who participate in dogs shows, are boarded, or before surgery. Kennel cough is not usually serious but can be dangerous to young puppies and is highly contagious. It is given annually for most dogs but for high risk dogs 6 month boosters are available.

Lyme Disease: This vaccination is generally only recommended for dogs that have a high risk of being exposed to Lyme disease carrying ticks. This vaccine is administered annually. You can find out if you are in a high risk area here.

Leptospirosis: This vaccination is generally restricted to established risk areas. Your pet is usually exposed to leptospirosis in areas of standing water and areas with rodents. This vaccination is administered yearly.

Canine Influenza: This vaccination is similar to the bordetella vaccination and is recommended for the same reasons. It is also administered yearly.

Heartworm Test and Parasite Prevention: Parasites are very harmful to your pets and in addition to making them miserable, some parasites are even deadly. Your pup’s annual exam is a great time to stock up on flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. Your vet will need to do a heartworm test annually to ensure that your dog is free of heartworms. There are many different forms of flea, tick, and heartworm prevention and your vet will help you pick out what is best for your pup.

Don’t let financial troubles keep you from taking your pup in to get the care he needs. There are many organizations that offer low cost vet care, including vaccinations. Many are mobile vets that offer high quality care with no exam fees. A little research online could save you a lot of cash while still ensuring your pet is healthy!