For many families, their dogs are also family members. Moms, dads and kids usually get medical attention when they are feeling sick or when they want to prevent certain diseases. The same should be true for pet dogs. Preventing diseases is always easier compared to treating it at the late stage. This is the objective of preventive health care for dogs. Save your pet from suffering and yourself from expensive veterinary bills by keeping your dog healthy and giving them preventive health care. Here are some annual exams that your dog needs to stay in top condition.
General Physical Exam
Just like their owners a physical exam is a testing process that can help determine problems early on. As your dog gets older, more frequent physical exams are required. During a physical exam, veterinarians will usually check a dog's vaccination status, check for parasite control (intestinal parasites, fleas, ticks and heartworms), check breathing, coat and skin, inquire about nutrition and exercise and in some cases request for blood tests.
Vaccinations
Dogs should receive the 4 core vaccines namely rabies, distemper, canine adenovirus-2 (hepatitis and respiratory disease) and canine parvovirus-2. These vaccines can help prevent serious health problems and also help keep their human owners healthy. When your dog is still a puppy, standard vaccination and frequency should be followed. If dogs are always exposed to other dogs like kennels or grooming salons it is also important to have him vaccinated with the non-core vaccines. For vaccination guidelines your veterinarian will recommend the appropriate vaccines and schedule.
Heartworm Testing
The American Heartworm Society recommends that adult dogs receive regular testing for heartworm disease and prevention. Dogs get heartworms from mosquitoes. The larva can take up to 7 months to mature into adult heart worms and then they get lodged in the heart, lungs and blood vessels where they start reproducing. If left untreated dogs begin to have funny sounds in their lungs, have a hard time exercising and easily get winded and start retaining fluids. Severe infestations often lead to deaths.
Control Of Internal Parasites
Minimize the threat to your pet and family by controlling their internal parasites. Some parasites like the hookworm which can infect cats and dogs are dangerous as they can bore holes in the intestines and suck blood. If this isn't bad enough, hookworms are not killed during regular deworming so controlling them is hard. If left untreated, hookworms can cause death. Other parasites to watch out for include roundworms, tapeworm and whipworms.
Senior Screening
Dogs get old eventually and when this happens it is important for them to have regular senior screening or geriatrics. During this age, veterinarians recommend testing for diabetes, kidney disease and hormonal disease. These tests can help prevent or screen disease and damage to organs. In some cases, veterinarians will also recommend blood tests and radiographs.
Oral health is also important for dogs so dental checkups are also important. These exams coupled with blood tests, medication and vaccination can help extend the life of our beloved dogs. Aside from this it will also keep dogs happy and healthy for a longer period of time.