Regular veterinary visits are crucial for keeping your pet healthy, detecting diseases early and ensuring they receive the best care at every stage of life.
How often should your pet go to the vet? After their initial vaccine series is it really necessary? If my pet is acting fine at home do I still need to bring them to a vet?
When determining how often your pet should be seen by a veterinarian there are several important aspects to consider including age, medical history and whether they are undergoing treatment for any chronic conditions.
Our pets can’t speak to us and tell us when something is wrong. Having your pet evaluated by a veterinarian at least once a year allows you to get a deeper insight into your pet’s health, keeps them healthy and ensures that medical conditions are found quickly so that treatment can begin immediately.
Visits based on Life Stages
Recommendations for generally healthy pets are often determined based on their current life Stage.
College, C. C. (2019, June 17). Happy Dog at Community Care College. Community Care College.
Puppy and Kitten Visits
Bringing your pet in for these initial visits is an important step that shouldn’t be skipped. These visits establish a healthy routine for your pet helping them be comfortable coming to the vet and having examinations performed. At The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic we use these visits for more than just giving vaccinations, we take the time to socialize your pet to a new environment, introduce them to members of our team, and do nail trims to get them comfortable with the process.
- 8 weeks: At the first visit the veterinarian will perform a nose-to-tail exam to evaluate your pet’s overall health, get baseline vitals + weight check and begin the pet’s booster vaccination series with one vaccine.
- 12 weeks: During the second visit, an exam is performed to monitor your pet’s growth and to discuss any changes or challenges you may be experiencing at home. At this visit two vaccinations are administered to protect them from common viruses.
- 16 weeks: At the 16 week visit puppies will receive two vaccinations, kittens will often receive three vaccines.
- 20 weeks: Depending on your dog’s lifestyle and breed related risk factors, your pet’s veterinarian may recommend a fourth vaccination.
Lifestyle factors to discuss with your vet to determine if this is recommended include whether they will be frequently socializing with other dogs, going to grooming or boarding, or traveling frequently.
Breeds such as Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Pit Bulls, and German Shepherds have been known to be more susceptible to parvovirus and may benefit from an additional vaccination.
- Spay/ Neuter: If you plan on spaying or neutering your pet, this is performed during the first year for all but extra large breed dogs. For more information on the benefits and risks of spay and neuter please see our related blog post (include link)
What if I rescued my pet and am not sure how old it is or what vaccinations it’s gotten? What if my breeder started the vaccination series before 8 weeks?
There are going to be situations where we can’t start the series exactly as outlined, and that’s ok! What’s important is just to get started. If your pet has received a vaccine from a rescue or breeder we recommend starting the vaccine series 2 weeks after the previous vaccination.
If your pet has unclear vaccination or medical history, in many cases it is safest to assume it has not been vaccinated and the series will be re-started. Each pet’s situation is unique, so your veterinarian will discuss with you their recommendation on when to start vaccines and how many boosters are recommended.
Annual Exam for Young Adult – Mature Pets
- 12 months after your pet’s final booster vaccine and every 12 months following that we recommend scheduling an examination. During these visits vaccines are administered and the veterinarian will continue to monitor your pet’s growth and for any changes.
Has a new lump or bump appeared? Are they at an appropriate weight? Are there any underlying health concerns? Do the heart and lungs sound clear and healthy? Is plaque or gingivitis developing?
- At age 2+ for small – medium breeds and age 4 – 6+ for cats and large breed dogs a dental cleaning may be needed. Preventing further development of dental disease can reduce the chance of bacteria entering your pets blood stream and potentially affecting their heart, liver or kidney. To learn more about our dental cleaning process visit: (insert link)
Senior Pets
Pets are considered Senior at different ages depending on their size and anticipated life expectancy.
- Cats 10 years old
- Small – Medium breed dogs 8-10 years old.
- Large – Giant breed dogs are considered senior at 6-7 years of age.
At this stage it is recommended to begin coming to the vet twice a year as age related diseases become more prevalent.
At least once a year a blood profile should be performed to evaluate your pet’s organ function, electrolytes, and blood health. If health concerns are found, or your pet is on long term medication then more frequent bloodwork may be required.
Preventative Care vs Sick Visits
Preventative care exams are going to be scheduled appointments focused on updating recommended vaccinations, routine testing for heartworm prevention, and documenting any changes to weight, behavior or health changes as your pet ages.
Even pets that receive the best care possible may one day be faced with injury or illness. Mild conditions such as ear or skin infections, allergies, urinary issues or diarrhea should be seen within 2-4 days from the onset of symptoms. At The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic we can address these concerns and more as part of a scheduled appointment or during a walk in exam.
In the event of a sudden or serious medical condition pets should be seen immediately by an emergency veterinarian. Emergency veterinarians are open 24/7 and have advanced training in emergency medicine, and often have additional treatment or testing capabilities compared to their general practice counterparts.
Contact an emergency veterinarian for evaluation if your pet experiences things such as:
- Sudden collapse
- Rattlesnake bite
- Uncontrolled seizures
- Severe Trauma
- Breathing difficulties
- Conditions needing hospitalization
Regular check-ups can help your pet live a longer, healthier life. Schedule your pet’s next exam with us today!