Many pet parents think a vet visit is only necessary when a vaccine is due or when their dog is visibly limping. However, an annual physical is the best preventative medicine available.
What a deep-dive checkup includes:The Dental Audit
Gum disease can lead to heart and kidney issues. Your vet should check for tartar buildup, gingivitis, or cracked teeth that might be causing hidden pain.
Baseline Bloodwork
Even if your dog looks healthy, annual blood tests, such as CBC and biochemistry, establish a normal for your pet. This makes it much easier to spot organ dysfunction early in future years.
Joint Mobility Assessment
Your vet will manipulate the limbs to check for crepitus, or grinding, and early signs of arthritis, which often go unnoticed by owners until they become severe.
Lump & Bump Map
A head-to-tail palpation helps identify any new growths that might need a fine-needle aspiration.
3 Questions to Ask Your Vet
Ask whether your dog's weight is ideal, whether their protein or calorie intake should change based on activity, and whether any breed-specific screenings, such as heart or hip scans, should be considered this year.