How Often Your Pet Needs to Visit a Veterinarian?
Your pets do their job of loving you and providing companionship. So, it's your job to return the favor and take your pets to the veterinarian on a regular basis. Consistent visits to the vet will ensure you pet stays healthy and gives you loving companionship. But how often should you take your pets to the vet?
Regular Checkups
Veterinarians recommend regular checkups and visits to make sure vaccinations are up to date. Regular checkups also involve a physical exam to monitor breathing, heart rate, hearing, physical responsiveness, and the animal's general health. The frequency depends on the age of the pet. Once the vet gets to know your animal and the baseline of their health, they will set up a schedule based on its unique needs.
Puppies and Kittens
The first stage of your pet's care is considered the puppy or kitten phase. Puppies and kittens should see a vet as soon as they come to live in your house. They'll need multiple vaccines on multiple visits. This usually means a visit once a month for a few months and then a visit every three months. The vet staff will schedule all the necessary appointments. Seeing the puppy or kitten on a regular basis will give the vet a chance to monitor the animal's health over the course of the first year of life. The vet will discuss with you the importance of spaying and neutering during this stage.
Adult Dogs and Cats
The second stage of your pet's care is the adult phase. Dogs and cats are considered adult between the ages of one and seven years old. Having undergone veterinarian care for the first year of life, your dog or cat is on their way to a happy and healthy life. Now it's less important to have multiple visits. Depending on your vet, they may schedule a yearly physical or a biannual visit. These visits may be scheduled around needed vaccines. The vet will also check for any hidden injury as well as check overall health and wellness. The vet staff will weigh your dog or cat compare their weight with the average weight for their breed. Be aware that some dog and cat owners have a tendency to overfeed their animals. And some animals will have "trained" their owners to give them more treats than is healthy. The vet will want you to keep the dog's or cat's weight under control because this could lead to health problems when they're older.
Senior Dogs and Cats
The third stage of your pet's care is the senior phase. Dogs and cats are considered seniors after eight years of age. Eight is the age when dogs and cats become more susceptible to some illnesses and begin experiencing some health problems. Common problems include vision, joint pain, and weight gain due to slowing down. At age eight, the vet will look specifically for cancerous growths or bone issues. The vet may prescribe certain medications to help your dog or cat manage pain or fight disease. After the age of eight, the vet will let you know how often they would like to see your dog or cat. This schedule is different for every animal.
24-Hour Emergency Vet Care
When there is a dire need, you can see a 24-hour emergency vet in Nocatee, FL. You should take your dog or cat in for emergency vet care for open wounds or possible broken bones. If the animal has a swollen or hard abdomen, trouble breathing, bloody vomit or bloody stool, or vomiting or diarrhea for more than 24 hours, you should take your dog or cat into the emergency vet. You should also take your dog or cat in immediately if they have eaten anything toxic such as gopher or rat poison, household cleaner, etc.
To learn more about how often your pet needs to visit a veterinarian, call Forever Vets Animal Hospital at (904) 686-2779. Serving Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Orlando, Nocatee, St. Johns, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and more.
