Just as people should visit their dentist and their doctor regularly, all dogs should see their veterinarian at least once a year. Often your dog is due for vaccinations, but even if they are not a pet’s health can change a lot in a year, due to environment, stress, genetic conditions, and routine aging. By examining your dog and discussing their lifestyle and behviour with you, your veterinarian can determine if your dog may have any health issues of which you are unaware, and catch emerging health problems before they become serious.
Annual Visit
An annual visit includes a thorough nose to tail examination as detailed below, appropriate vaccinations, parasite control, and nutritional, weight and behavioural counselling. As well, your veterinarian will be able to advise you on any preventative care measures you can be taking to help your dog live a long and healthy life. Of course, you can request your choice of veterinarian for your visit.
Physical Exam
- Bone, Joint and Muscle Examination
- Skin & Coat Examination
- Heart & Lung Evaluation
- Eye & Ear Health Examinations
- Abdominal Check
- Urinary Tract and Genital Exam
- Neurologic Check
- Nutritional & Weight Assessment
- Lifestyle & Behaviour Consultation
- Nail Trim if Required
- A thorough dental exam. People often don’t notice how bad their pet’s teeth are. Dental disease can lead to the spread of bacteria through the bloodstream, settling in vital organs such as the heart, kidneys and liver and causing serious illness.
Health problems are always easier and less costly to treat when they are detected early.
Vaccination
There are many vaccines available to protect your dog from many diseases. Our philosophy at Blue Cross Animal Hospital is to use vaccines only for diseases that our patients are at risk of contacting. We follow the Guidelines of the American Animal Hospital Association in choosing our “Core Vaccines.” From the time a dog is two years old we stop vaccinating for every disease every year. At your Annual Visit, your veterinarian will discuss your dog’s lifestyle and vaccines will be prescribed as needed. As well, we now have titre-testing as an alternative to some vaccines.