How Often Should Your Pet See a Veterinarian?

You know your furry family member needs regular check ups to stay healthy, but how often should they get them? Creature Comfort Veterinary House Call Services is here to answer the question many owners ask at least once, “How often does my pet really need to see the vet?”

Puppies and Kittens

Newly born puppies and kittens are at a very vulnerable phase of life, their immune systems are not as developed and they need series of vaccinations before they are safe from some common, but highly dangerous viruses such as distemper, parvovirus, or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Because it is a risk to even be around others of their own kind until fully vaccinated, newborn puppies and kittens spend a lot of extra time being seen by veterinarians, primarily for their vaccinations and deworming. They are typically seen every three to four weeks until they are four months old. These visits are also an important time for your veterinarian to evaluate their overall health during this critical time of development. They will be checked to make sure they are gaining weight properly and meeting all their milestones, as well as checked for any common congenital defects that may be present. Creature Comfort understands how difficult it can be to gather up a whole litter and bring them into an office, utilizing our mobile vet service will save you a significant amount of time as well as lessen the stress put on these small puppies and kittens. You will have a much more positive experience having Creature Comfort come to you! After this initial four-month period, puppies and kittens will typically only need to be seen once per year, with potentially one additional visit for a spay or neuter.

Adult Pets

Adult pets should be evaluated at least once per year. Creature Comfort provides annual visit services where your pet’s overall health will be thoroughly evaluated. Your pet will receive any needed vaccinations, a complete physical, and you will be given the chance to speak with your veterinarian about any concerns or questions you may have. These visits are important for multiple reasons, not only can they help to catch problems before they develop into emergencies, but they can also create a baseline of information should your pet ever become ill or show behavioral changes. In the unfortunate event that you need to call for a sick visit, you and your pet will also feel more comfortable being in your own home with a veterinarian that you have grown to know and trust over the years.

Senior Years

As animals age, their bodies begin to slow down just like ours. They tend to need more health care and support as they age, therefore it is often suggested for senior pets to be seen for checkups twice per year rather than annually. They will receive the same physical as the annual check ups from their younger years and may eventually need further testing to make sure their internal health is thoroughly monitored. Creature Comforts is fully equipped to provide the necessary care for their senior friends, including blood work, urinalysis, and fecal exams to ensure your senior pet’s internal organs are functioning appropriately. This is another time where it truly benefits to have your trusted veterinarian come to your home. Elderly pets can easily become stressed or even injured when transported to unfamiliar environments, having their care being provided at home will be a much more relaxing experience. You can rest assured that your best friend will receive the full spectrum of veterinary care they deserve all from the comfort of their own home.

Conclusion

While these guidelines show the frequency of visits expected for the average animal, your pet may have specific needs that necessitate a higher level of care and monitoring. Creature Comforts is available to answer your questions about what level of care is appropriate for your specific pet. Call us today to schedule an appointment at (269) 569-5960!