Importance of Wellness Checks For Canines
Yearly wellness checks might seem unnecessary if your dog isn’t showing any signs of illness or injury. But these wellness visits are incredibly important for your canine’s long-term health. Your veterinarian has the tools and skills to identify potential issues that you can’t see—things like heart disease, diabetes, and parasitic infections before they become serious issues.
Many serious or even life-threatening conditions can be prevented or treated with a simple yearly wellness check. Here at Borgfeld Animal Hospital, we love seeing your pups each year—and we want to highlight the benefits of this preventive care.
Benefits of Wellness Checks for Dogs
#1. Prevent Deadly Diseases
Preventive care begins when your dog is a puppy with her first rounds of canine vaccines. These immunizations help prevent rabies, canine parvovirus, distemper, and canine hepatitis. Rabies is deadly not only to dogs but also, potentially, to humans. Parvovirus, distemper, and hepatitis can be life-threatening to your dog.
Following your veterinarian’s recommended vaccine schedule is the best way to prevent these diseases.
#2. Keep Tabs on Proper Dog Nutrition
With dozens of dog food brands vying for your dollars, it can be hard to decide which kibble is right for your pup. Proper nutrition is incredibly important, too, so it’s not a decision to take lightly.
We totally understand the frustration pet-parents feel when they try to shop for pet food.
While all dog foods on the market must meet basic FDA standards, some foods are more high-quality than others. The best choices will contain good-quality versions of meat, vegetables, fruits, and grains. These ingredients work together to round out canine nutrition, and feeding appropriate amounts can reduce the risk of obesity and the health conditions that come with it.
Inexpensive dog food might be easier on the budget, but it often contains corn syrup, artificial coloring, and rendered meat products that may come from less-than-healthy sources. But expensive dog food can come with its own issues. Grain-free diets that rely on sweet potatoes and pulses (peas and other legumes), for example, may be linked with canine dilated cardiomyopathy.
As your pet’s veterinarian, we can guide you in the right direction when it comes to proper dog nutrition.
#3. Stay Up-to-Date With Dental Care
Dental care is crucial for dogs. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends yearly dental checks for your canine. Your veterinarian may recommend a yearly cleaning, too. (We certainly do!) This doesn’t just benefit your pet’s teeth. It also benefits your pet’s entire mouth and body.
Without regular brushing and cleaning, plaque can build up on your dog’s teeth. Eventually, this will lead to gum disease. Left untreated, gum disease can damage the connective tissues and bones around your dog’s teeth. This, in turn, opens the door to organ damage.
The simplest way to prevent this cycle is to brush your dog’s teeth and get yearly cleanings.
An Ounce of Prevention Really Is Worth a Pound of Cure
Is Fido ready for his yearly wellness check? Bring him to Borgfeld Animal Hospital, where our friendly veterinary team will do a nose-to-tail checkup to tune into your dog’s health. Call us at 830-313-5290 to schedule an appointment.