How Often Should Your Dog Have an Exam?

The most important thing you can do for your four-legged best friend is make sure that they live a healthy and happy life. In addition to ensuring they have plenty of exercise, are eating a healthy diet, and have lots of affection, you’ll also want to keep them on a regular schedule with their veterinarian. While many people just rely on their vet to give them an update of when and why to bring their pup in for their next visit, very few understand the reasoning behind the frequency. 

What the AVMA recommends

 

According to the AMVA canine preventative healthcare guidelines, all dogs should have a veterinary examination at least annually. While this rule seems to be the general rule of thumb for all dogs, the AVMA goes on to say that for many dogs, more frequent visits may be appropriate, and the frequency of visits should be based on individual needs of the dog. Essentially, the recommendation is very similar to that of a grown adult, dogs should attend regular wellness exams and if you detect a problem, you should consult a veterinarian.  

 

Why are regular wellness checks so important?

 

For many, it may feel natural to judge how their dog is doing simply by their temperament and general weight and attitude. While it’s a good sign if your pup looks healthy and is generally very active and playful, it’s important to consult the experts who are trained to check and make sure that your pup has a clean bill of health. If you bring your dog to regular wellness exams, the chances of detecting any potential problem in its early stages are much higher and therefore the treatment will likely be less expensive and less difficult. 

 

What happens during wellness exams?

 

Wellness exams are great times for veterinarians to assess the health of your pup by evaluating different aspects including their weight, teeth, stool, temperament, and body type. These appointments often also include preventative care like vaccinations, heartworm prevention, and routine deworming which can help prevent diseases that are not only life-threatening but can be very expensive to treat.

 

Your veterinarian can also help by recommending a wellness program based on your specific dog. They will consider your pups breed, age, lifestyle, and overall health when making their recommendations. This customized plan can include recommendations for medication and preventative care, therapeutic plans, and a follow-up. 

 

When does my dog need more than an annual visit?

 

While annual visits are great for dogs in the healthiest stages of their lives, those that are more vulnerable like puppies and senior dogs might need more frequent visits. As a puppy, it’s recommended for your dog to have monthly wellness exams until their 16 weeks old. It’s during this time that your pup will get their most important vaccinations for diseases like rabies, distemper, parainfluenza, and more. After this 16-week window, the next visit is most often around six months when it’s time for them to be spayed or neutered and then after a checkup to ensure the procedure went smoothly, they move into a more regular annual schedule.

 

For senior dogs, it is often recommended that they visit their veterinarian semi-annually (every 6 months). More frequent changes can help catch things more quickly and can give your vet more time to treat any issues they notice as they arise.

 

When to visit your vet quickly

 

In addition to maintaining a steady cadence of vet visits, it’s also important to understand when to seek out help immediately. If your dog shows any alarming signs, has been in an accident, or is clearly in discomfort, trust your instincts and get to the ER right away. The quicker you get the help of professionals who are trained in handling emergencies for animals, the better off you and your pup will be. 

 

Since every dog is different, it’s important for you to consult a veterinarian like those at the Bregman Veterinary Group to help you determine the best wellness plan for your pup.  To schedule an appointment, click here to get started!

How To “Puppy-Proof” Your Home

 

Winter is one of the most popular seasons to bring home a new puppy because of the holidays, but due to cold winter days, it can be difficult to spend much time outside in the beginning. Puppy accidents like going to the bathroom in the house and chewing up shoes are bound to happen until they are trained, but there are a few things you can do to help “puppy-proof” your home in advance. From hiding away any potential hazards like harmful foods and cleaning products, to closing doors and securing trash cans, here are a few tips and tricks to follow when you bring your new furry friend home.

Stock your home with the supplies you’ll need

It can be very traumatic for puppies when they first arrive at your home as it’s a brand-new environment for them. To help them safely acclimate, there are a few basic supplies you can have on hand before they arrive. These include items like food, treats, toys, a dog bed, crate, leash and collar, and a playpen / pet gate. Because there are so many different varieties of basic pet supplies, it’s important you purchase the right supplies for your pup based on their breed, age, and weight.

Create safe spaces for your pup

Mentioned above in the list of basic supplies to get before bringing your puppy home are things like a dog crate and playpen. These are very important to helping create safe spaces for your pup to retreat and feel comfortable from the very beginning. Investing in a dog crate is important for both training purposes and to give your dog a safe, private space they can call their own.

Play gates are also great ways to give your puppy their own space to roam around, without giving them free range of your house. These are often easy to adjust and come in a variety of sizes so you can get creative and find a gate that matches your home. Play pens and crates are so effective that according to a survey run by This Old House, 70% of puppy owners found their crate or playpen to have been very helpful in managing their puppy and reducing accidents.

Make hazards hard to get to

Since our homes are filled with things that can be dangerous for dogs, it is very important that you address these before you bring a puppy home. A few hazards to address early on include making sure your trash can has a lid or lock, all sharp objects are out of reach, small choking hazards like loose jewelry and coins are in a drawer and hard to get to, medications and cleaning supplies are in drawers or cabinets, and electrical cords are difficult to access.


If you have a backyard, you’ll also want to make sure that there are no holes in your fence that would be easy to slip through. Other hazards to address outside include getting rid of any plants that are unsafe for dogs like English ivy and hemlock, and making any fertilizer or pesticide secure and hard to get to.

Helpful resources

The AVMA knows that every home contains a variety of everyday items and substances that can be dangerous if ingested by dogs and cats. That’s why they put together a Household Hazards brochure to help you successfully navigate any potential dangers at home. Click here to learn more and to download the brochure for free.


If you are adopting a new puppy and need to schedule a veterinary appointment, our team at Bregman Veterinary Group is here to help. At Bregman Veterinary Group we make it our mission to help you determine the best course of action for your pet from the very beginning so that they can live long, healthy lives. To schedule an appointment for your new pup, click here to get started.

Tips for Caring for Your Pet After Their Spay or Neuter

 

Having your pet spayed or neutered is a common practice for many responsible pet owners. This is important because, according to the AVMA, every year, millions of unwanted dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens, are euthanized. By having your dog or cat sterilized, you are doing your part to prevent the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens. You may also be helping to protect against some serious health problems and/or reduce many behavioral problems associated with the mating instinct.

Since surgery is required in order for your pet to be spayed or neutered, it can be a traumatic and scary experience for them. It is very important that you are prepared to take great care of your pet so they can have a swift healing process and get back to their ordinary selves in no time. Here are some great tips to follow so you can give the best care possible to your pet after surgery.

Limit their activity

Many pets, especially puppies and kittens, are rambunctious and playful, which can be dangerous after surgery if not limited. During the recovery period which typically lasts between seven and ten days, it’s important that you pay close attention to your pet and limit their activity like running, jumping, and playing. One great way to help limit this activity is to limit the space they’re in and opt for smaller rooms, play pens, and adequately sized crates. It’s also a good idea to carry small pets up and down stairs and onto beds and limiting the length and distance of walks.

Keep the area of incision dry and away from harm’s way

Like all surgeries it’s important to keep the incision clean and dry and your pet will likely have the urge to try and investigate. Collars and cones that make it difficult for your pet to get to the incision help reduce the risk of infections and a possible opening of the incision. It’s also important not to bathe your pet during the recovery period and to check the incision for any signs of swelling and/or infection. If you have any questions regarding the incision during the recovery period, it’s important that you consult your veterinarian.

Monitor how much pain your pet is in

Surgery can be incredibly painful, especially when the medicine wears off, and you’ll want to keep a close eye on your pet to help ensure they are as comfortable as possible. Your veterinarian will provide specific instructions and medication post-surgery and if you have any questions or concerns about the pain your pet is in, you’ll want to contact your veterinarian directly.

Ensure your pet is getting re-hydrated

Drinking water after surgery is very important to ensure you are taking the proper measures to re-hydrate your pet. If your pet is refusing to drink any water, you may want to ask your veterinarian if there are any recommended foods that have enough water content to keep your pet healthy.

When in doubt, call your veterinarian

Even with the best care, complications can happen, and your veterinarian can help. If you have any concerns or questions about the period of time leading up to surgery or what to do after surgery, consult your veterinarian. If you need to schedule an appointment for your new pet, click here to get started.