Dogs are considered man’s best friend, and some consider their dog a part of their family. Do you insist that your friends and your family see a doctor regularly? Is it because you care very much for them and want to make sure they stay healthy?
Your dog should be no different. They need to see their doctor on a regular basis as well. A lot of dog owners only take their dogs to the vet when the dog is sick or injured.
It’s very important that the dog sees the vet for regular checkups as well. Sometimes emergency appointments are very costly and could have been avoided with regular visits to the vet.
Here are 5 reasons why you should take your dog to the vet regularly:
1. Shots
Dogs need to have regular shots in order to stay healthy. Their shots can prevent many diseases and can prolong their life span, so they can be around for a long time to come.
If a dog is left unvaccinated, then he can easily contract diseases, which can be costly to you in the end to try to treat them.
2. Ear Mites
Ear mites are common with dogs. It’s important to have your dog seen by a vet regularly to keep on top of these infestations. The vet can determine how severe the infestation is and prescribe appropriate medication to help treat it.
If it’s left untreated, bacteria can grow within the tissues and find its way to the dog’s brain, possibly causing death.
3. Fleas and Ticks
These are also common among dogs. It’s important that they be treated right away. Your vet can help you determine how bad the situation is and provide the necessary treatments to keep the infestation from causing too many problems.
4. Worms
Worms are also common with dogs and they can easily be treated. However, since there are so many different types of worm infestations and different treatments, a vet is more qualified to examine the dog to figure out which type of worm has invaded your pet and what the best treatment is for them.
Some symptoms that may indicate that your dog has worms can be:
- Diarrhea
- Weight Loss
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Blood in Stool
- Poor Coat Appearance
5. Dental Health
A vet will sometimes clean a dog’s teeth for you or explain the best way for you to clean them. It’s important for the vet to check the dog’s teeth to prevent bacteria from growing and getting out of hand.
Bacteria can cause all sorts of ailments for a dog, so keep on top of your dog’s dental health and prevent any costly treatments that you could incur if their dental needs are left unchecked.
In Conclusion
A dog’s health is just as important as your family’s. Prevention of ailments is always the key to a long and healthy life, so take care of your dog and get them checked on a regular basis.
A vet is trained to recognize many different ailments, sometimes detecting them long before things go wrong. Your dog could live to a ripe, old age with the proper care and the watchful eye of his veterinarian.
