Going to the vet

[Ford23]

I know that most people will say that how often you go to a vet varies from one dog to the other but I believe that veterinary care is paramount to a dog's overall well being. Should a dog owner set timelines and what else (apart from age and probably breed) would influence such a decision?

 

[HereSadie]

Sadie is a mutt and mixed-breeds tend to be healthier. She goes twice a year for a physical. She has blood work and gets her shots during one of those trips. According to the vet I really only need to bring her once a year and the blood tests are elective, but I don't give her the heartworm medicine every month like the directions state. I skip November through February and restarting usually requires a blood test. Of course, I take her more often when something goes wrong.

 

[SpanielsRule]

My dog is middle-aged, so right now, she goes to the vet once a year and as needed for any illness in between our yearly appointment. She also gets blood work done once a year. Our vet says blood work every year is important because dogs age so much faster than we do, and blood work helps catch potential problems earlier so that they can be treated more effectively.

Once my dog reaches senior status, she will start going to the vet twice a year.

 

[MeriYa]

I think going to a vet about twice a year is good, twice a year seems sufficient enough to keep the dog healthy and make sure that everything is as it should be. When I owned dogs, I only took them to the vet if they were sick. These days, since I'm older and wiser, I would definitely take my dog(s) to the vet for 'well-dog' check ups, I guess one would call them.