If you have a dog, then you know how important it is that they are well taken care of health-wise. You want nothing but the best for your furry friends, since they are pretty much like family. There is actually a checkup schedule for dogs that should be followed for ideal health.

Frequency of Vet Visits for Dogs

The best thing you can do is take your dog to vet once a year. This will ensure that your furry friend is always up to date on vaccination shots. When you take your dog in for a regular check-up, your vet will follow a standard procedure for his or her health.

“Nose to Tail” Exam

The Nose to Tail exam is the most common checkup you can get for your dog. As the name implies, the vet will examine your dog from nose to tail and check all parts of their body in between. There is a reason each place is checked. They all hold a key to the dog’s health.

• The nose is the first thing the vet will check. They will look for any kind of discharge that comes from the nose. This is not just for cold purposes, but certain respiratory diseases can be identified through the nose.
• Eyes are just as important for dogs as they are us. The vet will closely examine the inside of your dog’s eyes, looking for signs of sickness and parasites.
• The mouth is the next thing that needs to be examined. The doctor will check your dog’s teeth and gum area. Looking for signs of mouth disease, among other things.
• Lungs and Heart – The vet will check both your dog’s heart and lungs for abnormal activity. This is done with a stethoscope and identifies a host of problems.
• Skin and Fur – This is an important part of the examination. You can find out things such as if your dog has parasites like fleas or ticks on them. There is also an examination for loss of fur and sensitive skin.
• Abdomen issues can cause a number of problems in your dog. That is why your dog’s vet will take extra care when checking the abdomen. Your vet can find infections and diseases through the abdomen area.
• Back/Tail – The vet will finally run their hand down your dog’s spine all the way to the tip of its tail. This can help pinpoint spinal problems.

Importance of the Regular Exams for Your Dog

A Head to Toe exam should be conducted every single year on your dog. It can help pinpoint many of the problems that can afflict your dog throughout the years. You can also ask the vet to check other problem areas that you have noticed. Your vet can take a closer look and let you know if there is anything wrong.

Your Dog’s Health is Very Important

The health of your dog should be very important. You can make sure they are as healthy as you are by looking at the checkup schedule for dogs. It does not take a lot of time, and is well worth it for the health of man’s best friend.