Annual Health Assessment and Vaccinations

Annual Health Assessment and Vaccinations

Annual wellness exams also help your veterinarian determine a proper prevention program, including a vaccination schedule tailored specifically for your adult dog, puppy, or senior dog. Using personalized pet health protocols, the veterinarians at Animal Medical Center of Reno can pinpoint specific preventive health care needs for your dog throughout their life.

Annual pet wellness exams include screenings for a variety of potential diseases. These screenings are usually accompanied by an individualized risk assessment of your dog’s environment – where you live, emerging disease risks in our community, your pet’s interaction with other pets and wildlife, travel plans, and other lifestyle considerations. Living in Reno and the high desert environment of Nevada and interacting with the local wildlife (rattlesnakes, scorpions, and the occasional tick) can pose unique risks for your dog, not to mention the dust and plant life, which can cause your dog to have severe allergic reactions.

Your dog’s best source for wellness exams and preventive health care information is your personal veterinarian. Only they know your pet’s medical history, current health status, and the potential risks your dog faces. Give us a call at (775) 827-3033 to schedule your dog’s annual wellness exam or vaccination(s).

Annual wellness examinations

Regular wellness exams allow Animal Medical Center of Reno to evaluate your dog’s general health and become aware of any health problems before they become serious illnesses. Since your dog cannot tell you how they are feeling, you must rely on regular physical examinations by a veterinarian and your at-home observations to assess your pet’s health. We may also wish to perform diagnostic tests, including blood tests and X-rays, to evaluate your dog’s health.

Routine blood testing, urinalysis (urine testing), and other tests are recommended for all dogs in their “senior years.” We may recommend routine blood testing and urinalysis for younger dogs to establish baseline values, which can be used for comparison as they age.

How often does my dog need an annual or wellness exam?

Every year for a dog is equivalent to seven human years, so it is important that your dog receives a wellness exam at least every year and more often when they enter their senior years. Many aspects of your dog’s health can change quickly, so ensure they do not miss even one exam!

Similar to people, your dog needs to visit the veterinarian more often as they get older to prevent and treat illnesses that come with age, see Senior Dog Care below for more information). We recommend that healthy dogs visit the veterinarian once a year for a complete exam and laboratory testing. Healthy senior dogs should receive a wellness exam and lab testing every six months. Depending on your dog’s age and health, we can suggest an appropriate physical examination schedule to help keep them in tip-top shape.

Puppy wellness

Congratulations on taking the first step to having an excellent companion and friend. It is essential to do everything you can to ensure they grow up strong, healthy, and happy so you have your faithful companion around for as long as you can. Health care is essential throughout your dog’s entire life. The information below is basic health care for your puppy’s first year of life.

Your puppy must have several examinations within the first year of their life. Examinations will address many different areas to ensure the health of your puppy is excellent. During these examinations, we will discuss such issues as microchipping, spaying/neutering, pre-op bloodwork, behavior, and nutrition and can recommend training options. Microchipping is effective in finding your puppy if they ever get lost. Blood tests are recommended because they will show any kidney or liver abnormalities that could affect how the anesthesia is processed. This helps our veterinarian determine if the anesthesia needs to be adjusted. Also, we will discuss the first-year examination schedule with you based on the first puppy exam.

Senior dog wellness

Due to advancements in medical care, dogs are living longer than ever before. We love our canine companions and want their senior years to be as healthy and happy as possible. Your dog’s size and breed will have much to do with their life expectancy, but generally, all dogs are considered senior at age seven.

As your dog reaches the golden years, it can face a variety of conditions and diseases, including weight and mobility changes, osteoarthritis, kidney, heart, and liver disease, tumors and cancers, organ failure, hormone disorders such as diabetes and thyroid imbalance, and many others. Just as humans’ healthcare needs change as they age, the same applies to dogs. It’s critical for you to work closely with your veterinarian to devise a health plan that is best for your senior dog.

Animal Medical Center of Reno recommends that healthy senior dogs visit the veterinarian every six months for a complete exam and laboratory testing. Remember… every year for a dog is equivalent to 5–7 human years. To stay current with your senior dog’s health care, twice-a-year exams are a must. During the senior health exam, your veterinarian will ask you questions about any changes in your dog’s activity and behavior.

Our veterinarian will also conduct a complete examination of all of your pet’s body systems. Client education and laboratory testing are also critical components of the senior exam.