grovercentervetThe Complete Guide to a Dog Health Checkup: Why Every Dog Owner Needs One
All dog owners are looking for a long and healthy life for their beloved pets—and the best way to assure that is to get your dog a routine dog health checkup. A dog health exam isn’t a once-a-year procedure you do because you have to; it’s a preventative measure that is proactive and can detect issues before they escalate to a crisis. Puppies are bouncy, growing dogs, adults are active, and seniors are slower. A dog health checkup allows your veterinarian to give your dog a tune-up and make sure the engine is in good running order.
At Grove Center Veterinary Hospital, we know first-hand that a regular schedule of dog health checkups can make a difference for pets and pet owners. This guide explains why a dog health checkup is important, what you can expect at your appointment, how often you should have a checkup, what symptoms might indicate that you shouldn’t delay a checkup, and how to maximize your checkup success.
The Importance of a Dog Health Checkup Is Greater Than You Realize
Dogs are masters of masking their symptoms and signs of pain and disease. Weakness in the wild is a vulnerability and your dog’s willingness to sleep on the couch hasn’t taken that away. This is one of the reasons a dog health checkup is essential—it’s because a trained professional can see inside the dog and pick up on the subtle changes that you, as a loving non-clinical observer, might not notice.
A complete dog health examination can detect early symptoms of:
- Dental disease, which is a major cause of dog pain, and is common to most dogs by three years of age.
- Increased body weight and the resulting stress on the joints.
- Heart murmurs or irregular heart rhythms.
- Skin health issues, along with allergies and parasites.
- Kidney or liver changes at an early stage that can be seen in blood tests.
- Poor eyesight or hearing, particularly in older dogs.
These problems can go unnoticed until they become more painful and costly to treat, without routine health examinations. Reactive treatment is almost always more stressful for your dog and it is more expensive than preventative treatment.
What Happens During a Dog Health Checkup?
If you’ve never been to one before, you should have no reason to worry, as you and your dog will know what to expect. A routine examination at Grove Center Veterinary Hospital usually comprises the following:
- A Thorough Physical Checkup
Your veterinarian will examine your dog’s eyes, ears, teeth and gums, skin and coat, joints and abdomen. This hands-on part of the dog health exam frequently is the first indication of a problem, whether it’s a lump under the skin or a joint that’s tender.
- Body Condition Score (BCS) and Weight
A dog health checkup will include weight management. Your vet will use your dog’s body condition score to see if they are underweight, have the perfect weight, or are overweight which may put strain on your dog’s heart and joints over time.
- Heart and Lung Auscultation
The vet uses a stethoscope to hear abnormal lung sounds, murmurs, or irregular heartbeats. This part of the dog health checkup is fast but vital, as cardiac and respiratory problems may be dormant for lengthy periods of time.
- Dental Assessment
A dental examination is nearly always a part of a dog health checkup, since dental disease is extremely prevalent. Build up of tartar, gum inflammation, and loose teeth are all early signs that can be detected to prevent a painful dental emergency.
- Vaccines and Deworming
A dog health check is when core vaccines should be updated and flea, tick and heartworm prevention should be discussed, depending on the age and past experiences of the dog.
- Bloodwork and Diagnostic Testing
Bloodwork can be a component of a dog health checkup for adult and senior dogs to assess organ function, blood cell counts and screen for conditions that may not have any external symptoms.
- Behavioral and Lifestyle Discussion
A thorough dog health exam doesn’t just involve the body. Your veterinarian will want to know what you are feeding, how much you are exercising, how much you are sleeping, and if there have been any changes in behavior since you began noticing that there is a problem. The reason is that all of this information can help identify the cause of the health issue.
How Many Dog Health Examinations Are Frequent Enough?
Your dog’s health checkup frequency will vary greatly depending on your dog’s age and health condition:
- Puppies (under 1 year): Dog health checks every 3-4 weeks until the dog is fully vaccinated and then bi-annually.
- Adult dogs (1-7 years): One dog health checkup every year is normally enough for healthy adult dogs.
- Senior dogs (7+ years): Senior dogs should have a dog health checkup every 6 months as age-related issues can rapidly develop.
If your dog has a chronic disease, a more regular dog health checkup schedule may be recommended by your veterinarian to track the continued treatment of your dog’s chronic health issue.
Following this rhythm will mean your dog’s health is not up for speculation. Having a predictable dog health checkup schedule also helps your veterinarian spot any changes year over year, whether they be a loss of mobility, weight gain or loss, or bloodwork changes.
Indications That Your Dog Needs a Checkup Sooner Than Scheduled
Dogs have a schedule for a routine health exam, but certain symptoms do not warrant a waiting period. If you see any of the following signs, please contact Grove Center Veterinary Hospital immediately:
- Sudden weight loss or gain
- Weakness or unwillingness to walk
- Changes in eating or drinking habits
- Throwing up, diarrhea, or blood in stool
- Lameness or inability to stand up
- Excessive scratching and loss of hair
- Drooling and/or pawing at the mouth, with foul odor
- Wheezing, coughing, or difficulty breathing
Any of these should be the reason for a dog’s health checkup earlier than later, as early intervention will most likely result in a better outcome.
How to Prepare for Your Dog’s Checkup
Some planning can make a dog health exam efficient and effective:
- Record any changes that have occurred in appetite, energy, bathroom needs, or behavior.
- If your vet needs to get a stool sample for parasite screening, bring a stool sample with you.
- Include prescribed medications and supplements currently being taken and dosages.
- Keep track of treats and table scraps that your dog is eating.
- Calm your dog before arriving; take a stroll to expend nervous energy.
Your vet will be able to use the time efficiently and make sure that the dog health checkup is complete and relevant to your pet’s current situation.
How Much Does a Dog Health Checkup Cost?
The expense of a dog health checkup depends on your dog’s age, the tests that are performed, and your area. The most basic wellness exam is the least expensive; a dog health checkup with bloodwork, vaccinations, or dental cleaning is more expensive. Many veterinary hospitals, such as Grove Center Veterinary Hospital, provide wellness plans that combine routine examinations, vaccinations, and other preventative measures for the dog into a fixed payment structure, thus helping you to more easily plan for your dog’s future health requirements.
Why Select Grove Center Veterinary Hospital for Your Dog’s Checkup?
Dog health checks are not all the same. We perform a comprehensive, relaxed, and thorough exam for each dog at Grove Center Veterinary Hospital which includes hands-on and innovative diagnostic techniques. A dog health checkup should provide answers, but not more questions. We strive to have a long-term partnership with you and your dog, and each visit comes with a baseline understanding of what we’ve learned about your dog’s past and patterns.
If you haven’t been to the veterinarian in a long time, now is the perfect time to book a dog health exam and be sure your dog receives the preventive care he deserves.
Conclusion
One of the easiest and best things you can do for your dog’s lifelong health is to have them examined for their health. From the early detection of dental disease to the early detection of a heart murmur, routine vet visits make a difference in your pet’s health. It’s important for puppies, adults, and seniors to have regular checkups on their health, and it can be helpful to know the signs to look for that warrant a visit sooner rather than later. Please do not let a little problem become a big problem—book your dog’s next appointment with Grove Center Veterinary Hospital and make your best friend a healthier dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what interval should I get my dog a health checkup?
Generally, a dog’s health examination should occur once a year for adult dogs, more often for puppies in the first year of their life, and every six months for senior dogs.
What should be part of a routine dog exam?
A normal exam will consist of a physical examination, weight check, heart and lung exam, dental exam, review of vaccination status, and sometimes blood tests or tests for parasites.
What is the price of a dog health checkup?
The expense of a dog health checkup varies, and can include anything from a simple checkup to bloodwork and vaccinations or dental cleaning. Grove Center Veterinary Hospital can give you a custom quote.
Are there ways to detect diseases in a dog in the early stages with a health checkup?
Yes. A dog health checkup looks for things such as dental disease, obesity, heart disease, and organ problems before they reach serious proportions; often this is accomplished by physical examination and bloodwork.
What should I bring to my dog’s exam?
To get the most out of the dog health checkup, take a list of any symptoms or behavior changes, current medications, and a stool sample if requested.
Do I need to take my dog to a health checkup if he/she appears healthy?
Yes. Dogs are careful in showing symptoms of illness and a dog health checkup can detect hidden problems that may not be evident at first hand, even in a dog which looks absolutely healthy.
