Questions Dog Owners Should Ask Their Vet

Going to the vet can be enough work on its own. You have to remember to schedule regular visits for your pup, and if Fido doesn’t enjoy going, it’s even more of a stressful trip. Once at the vet though, it’s essential to be proactive about your dog’s health and ensure you’re asking your vet all the right question to keep your furry family member happy and healthy.

What vaccines and tests should be done on my dog?

Ensuring that your pup is receiving the correct vaccinations and being screened for health concerns in their breed and age is vital to their health. Blood analyses help your vet screen out any diseases that may not be visible on the outside yet. Even a young, healthy pup would benefit from a screening that could potentially spot any preliminary problems that could arise. You should talk to your vet about these top 3 panels:

• Complete Blood Cell Count – testing your dog’s blood cell count can help spot things like anemia, infections, chronic inflammation, and other common issues.
• Blood Chemistry Profile – this test will help examine Fido’s organ functions, ensuring they are in tip-top shape.
• Heartworm Test – having your pup checked regularly for heartworms is crucial for catching heartworm disease early on.

On the flip side, having your dog vaccinated can prevent an abundance of problems you could face down the road. The core vaccines to ensure your four-legged has are Canine distemper, Canine parvovirus, Canine adenovirus one infection, and Rabies. Other vaccines that aren’t vital or necessary, but still helpful none the less are Leptospirosis, Lyme disease, Canine cough complex, Canine influenza.

How often should I take Fido to the Vet?

Annual examinations should be your bare minimum, for certain breeds or dogs with exceptional cases twice-yearly is recommended. Getting Fido to the vet will help save you a lot of money down the road. Your vet may be able to spot a critical issue early on that they can fix much more quickly than if it was left untreated for years.

What kind of diet do you recommend for my pup?

Dogs are advanced animals and in effect have complex eating habits to match. We don’t necessarily know what type of food is the best for them compared to others, due to a lack of research. You’ll find happy, healthy dogs who eat only homemade food, are on grain-free diets, or just stick with commercial cuisine. Until more research is done on the subject your best bet is to feed Fido what you believe and may notice is benefiting them the most. Talking to your vet since they know your dog inside and out, is also helpful in deciding what route to take.

Should I invest in pet insurance?

Pet insurance is becoming wildly more popular, which isn’t surprising when you think about how much particular treatments cost for dogs who have either been injured or have become ill. Some breeds are more prone than others to develop certain diseases or issues; in that case, pet insurance is something you should consider. Investing in pet insurance, in a nutshell, means you foresee an expensive procedure somewhere down the line in your pet’s life. When looking at different pet insurances though, it’s essential to pay close attention to what their policies cover. You don’t want to spend money on your pup’s insurance for months and then when they require it, realize your dog’s insurance doesn’t cover what you need it to.

What kind of dental care does Fido need?

Making sure your canine companion’s mouth is sparkling clean could help prevent issues like periodontal disease and obesity. Both are preventable if you keep a check on your dog’s teeth. Dental cleaning is done professionally and consists of way more than simple brushing. A dental visit would consist of diagnostic tests, x-rays, and essential criteria and next steps given from your pup’s dental provider. Something you can do at home is brushing your furry friend’s teeth at least once a day. Brushing should be done gently though. You don’t want your pup fearing toothbrushes, so make sure you gently open their mouth for this. Also, canines can’t use our toothpaste so make sure to buy Fido their own special one.

Going to the vet may be a hassle and probably isn’t very exciting, but you can learn a lot about your dog and the best way to care for them right from your local veterinarian. Taking advantage of your vet’s vast knowledge will help you keep your pup healthy for years to come.