Regular wellness exams are definitely one of them.
A healthy young dog should be seen by a veterinarian at least once a year. A senior dogs should have there check ups at least twice a year.
Why take your dog to the vet when there is nothing wrong with them?
Visiting a vet when your dog is ill is certainly important. But in many cases, when your dog starts showing symptoms, some diseases can already be in their advanced stage.
A regular health evaluation can address early dental disease, weight issues, orthopedic issues and catch systemic disease or organ damage early.
A regular check up should include physical examination, urinalysis, stool analysis, blood panel and heartworm testing.
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| Exam is over, we forgive you that you poked needles into us. |
With Jasmine, regular wellness exams might seem redundant—with one thing or another, she's at the vet's at least once a month.
However, even though her vet does check her all out every time she's there, there are some things we don't do every time, particularly full blood work up.
We do these twice a year, unless there is a reason to check the blood in between. In the spring, we include further tests, such as thyroid hormone levels for Jasmine, heartworm testing for both guys, and last time we also tested for tick-borne diseases.
In the fall we typically run blood panel only.
With the Veterinary Care Plan it was painless this time, because these things are all included in the plan. A good reason to get one of these plans right there—you don't have to skimp on wellness exams because of financial reasons. Since you're already paying the subscription, you might as well use up all the benefits it offers.
The exam confirmed that our guys are at their ideal body condition, and their mouths are in a good shape.
These are very important things to keep under control. Hubby thinks they are skinny, well, he can think what he wants, as long as he gets on with the program :-)
When you think your dog is skinny, they're probably just at the right point.
I have to admit, that every time we run Jasmine's blood panel I am a bit nervous. She's had her share of health challenges and she had recently turned 9. I always worry that the blood might discover some problem we are not aware of.
I was on pins and needles, awaiting the results.
Jasmine took her blood test; she passed; didn't even study.
When it finally showed up in her online file, I held my breath a little bit before I opened it. But it looks quite good! Not only that, is has also improved from the last year. Jasmine's blood doesn't look all that different from JD's, who is a healthy 4-year old.
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| Jasmine's blood panel fall 2012 |
I wouldn't say it is a textbook perfect blood panel, but the improvement is clearly visible.
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| Jasmine's blood panel fall 2011 |
We work very hard on keeping Jasmine's issues in check, improving her nutrition, and well being.
The main reason I started studying dog nutrition was to learn how I can improve Jasmine's health. It looks that the things we're doing are working.
You go, Jasmine!
When was the last time your dog went for a full wellness exam?
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Gotta Try Everything Once (Or Twice): On The Quest To Figure Out Jasmine's Episodes
***
Meet Jasmine
I'm Still Standing! (Happy Birthday, Jasmine)
How Dogs Think (Well, Jasmine Anyway)
How The Oddysey Started: Jasmine's ACL Injury
Jasmine is Vet-Stem's poster child!
Rant About Quality Of Life Versus Quantity, And Differential Diagnoses
Jasmine Is Headed For Her Next Stem Cell Treatment
Jasmine's Stem Cells Are In
Arthritis? What Arthritis?
Guess Who Is An Ever-Ready Bunny And Really Liking The Bit Of Snow We Got?
Don't Knock It Until You Tried It: Animal Chiropractic
Jasmine's Fur Analysis
Back At Chiropractic Care
Further reading:
Jasmine’s Story: Can Chronic Diarrhea and Soft Tissue Injuries be Normal?
Jasmine’s Story: An ACL Injury and a Cancer Scare
Jasmine’s Condition Deteriorates: Another ACL Injury and an Abdominal Abscess
Jasmine Recovers from Surgery and Jana Discovers TCVM
Who’s Minding Your Pet’s Health?
Pet Owner Perspective On Stem Cell Therapy
Difficult to Manage Lameness Treated with Physical Therapy
Our Journey to Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine
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