As a pet owner, you already know that regular checkups are a must when it comes to ensuring the good health of your pets. But many times, pet owners are quite confused when deciding how often to take their pets to a veterinarian. According to vets at Toronto’s leading pet clinic, it depends on the age of your furry friend.
Infant: Birth to 1 year
Just like infants, puppies need to be brought to their local vet every three or four weeks until they are 16 weeks old. Your puppy will receive their shots for Rabies, distemper-parvo, and a few other types of diseases. In addition, your vet may also recommend shots for kennel cough, Lyme disease or influenza.
Kittens too will get tested for feline immunodeficiency virus and leukemia and will receive vaccinations that cover several diseases. By the time your pet completes a year, they will also start heartworm plus flea and tick prevention medications, if your area is notorious for such infections. A regular visit will help your pet to make sure that it is thriving well and not showing any signs of illness. Around six months, your pet will be ready to get spayed or neutered.
Adult: 1 to 10 years
In the adulthood phase, vets recommend getting yearly check-ups. During these check-ups, your vet will carry out a physical examination of your pet from head-to-toe and observe if they have any issues. Many vets also recommend a blood examination to check for heartworms. Depending on the physical and blood examination, your vet may recommend additional tests if they suspect an issue. At the time of the first yearly check-up and every three years after that, your vet will administer a rabies booster to your pet in accordance with the state law. Your vet will also administer vaccinations to prevent kennel cough. If you have an outdoor cat, a vet may also prescribe feline leukemia vaccines. If your vet suspects a parasitic infection, they may also ask you to bring a stool sample of your pet for a test.
Senior: 7 to 10 Years or older
If you have an older pet, typically between seven to 10 years of age, vets recommend scheduling your pet’s routine examination at least twice a year. This will help your vet to determine any health issues with your pet early on and treat it faster. Through blood and urine tests, your vet can detect kidney and liver issues, particularly common with older pets. They will also check your pet’s hormonal balance and prescribe hormone therapy if needed.
No matter what age your pet is, giving them the advantage of regular health check-ups is a must. Bring your pets to the best local veterinary hospital at regular intervals so that your veterinarian can examine and treat any health issues and administer appropriate vaccines on time. Make sure to highlight any changes in your pet’s behaviour, eating and toilet patterns so that your vet can assess if they are signs of serious underlying health issues.
Whether you are a new pet owner who wants to know which vaccinations are important to your pets or if you have a pet who needs a reliable vet to conduct regular examinations, contact Don Valley Animal Hospital. Their team of experienced and knowledgeable vets make sure that your pet gets the best health care possible.