For many, dogs are part of the family — and while humans have regular schedules for their health, is the same true for dogs? Sure, humans see the doctor once a year for a checkup and they visit the dentist twice a year for cleanings. Should you follow the same general rule for dogs?
At New Market Animal Hospital, this is a question we get asked on a regular basis. As with most things, the truth is that the answer depends on a number of different factors. Not to worry though, because we’re breaking it all down below.
Schedule a Visit Once Per Year
Typically, with most adult dogs that are in good health, a yearly visit to a vet will do the trick. During this visit, we’ll assess your dog’s health, let you know of anything you may need to keep an eye on, make recommendations, and more. Our veterinarians will check your dog’s eyes and ears, listen to their heart and lungs, and make sure they’re up to date on being vaccinated.
For most dogs, this approach does the trick. It allows us to stay on top of your dog’s health, ensuring that your four-legged friend is happy and healthy.
The Exceptions to the Rule
Of course, the once-per-year approach isn’t always the one that’s best for your dog. For instance, if there’s a particular issue that we’re keeping an eye on, we may recommend that you bring your dog back in sooner so we can be certain that things are progressing properly.
For dogs older than 8 years, we sometimes recommend making a visit to our clinic every 6 months. As dogs age, their chance of injury increases, and being able to stay on top of things is always a smart move.
As we mentioned above, every dog is different, and that means finding a visit schedule that works for you.
Another exception to the rule is when your pet is injured or is acting odd. In these instances, it’s best to forego the typical yearly visit and call us immediately. We are open 7 days a week in order to provide you with timely care, ensuring that your pet always gets the attention he or she needs.
Finding the Right Schedule For Your Pet
At the end of the day, we want you to know that the team at New Market Animal Hospital is dedicated to providing exceptional care for your pets. That’s why we’ll always take the time to listen to your needs and make recommendations during your visit. In other words, if we think your dog should come in for more than an annual visit, we’ll let you know.
Your pet’s health is important to us, and that’s why we treat each dog as if he or she were our own. For nearly four decades, we’ve been New Market’s go-to animal hospital. With a focus on providing care that’s affordable, honest, and compassionate, we hope to be the clinic you bring your dog to time and time again.
Why Choose New Market Animal Hospital?
Whether you’re a new client or your pet is a returning patient, you can always expect to receive the gold standard in care at New Market Animal Hospital. We know that choosing a vet can be difficult, but we want you to know that when you bring your dog to us, we’ll take exceptional care of you. You deserve to have an animal clinic you can rely on for honest service, and that’s exactly what you get when you choose us.
We’re proud to offer both medical and non-medical services for your pets, and we even provide grooming and boarding! Having a single place to bring your pets for everything can make all the difference in the world, and we’ll always work hard to make certain that your pets feel calm and comfortable during their visits.
Schedule a Visit Today
Do you have a question for our team? Are you ready to schedule a visit for your dog? No matter the type of care he or she needs, you can rest assured that they’ll be in good hands with the experienced local vets at New Market Animal Hospital.
Whether you’ve noticed a change in behavior, you’re new to the area and need a new pet clinic, or it’s time for your regular visit, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your pet. We look forward to seeing you and your furry friend soon!
