You've probably already asked yourself the question, "When should I take my pet to the vet?" Whether you own a dog or a cat, you are responsible for their well-being and health. And because you love them, you want them to stay healthy for as long as possible. As you surely know, vaccinations and deworming are essential for taking care of your companion. To help you maintain their health, we'll tell you which veterinary visits you should schedule.
Take your pet to the vet for its first vaccination
In principle, your puppy or kitten will have already had at least one pediatric check-up with the veterinarian before coming to your home. This first visit ensures the young cat or puppy is in good health . It is also an opportunity to administer its first vaccination(s) .
Your young companion will need to visit the vet frequently for vaccinations and deworming . For deworming, you'll need to administer the medication every two months until your pet is eight months old. After that, between eight months and one year, you'll need to deworm your furry friend monthly.
Regarding vaccination, several important vaccines will be administered from a very young age. It will then be essential to adhere to the booster dates to avoid having to start the entire process again.
Generally, the veterinarian will perform the vaccination and administer the deworming treatment during the same visit, in order to avoid you having to come back several times, but also to minimize stress for your furry friend.
These visits are also an opportunity to check that your pet is growing well, and to receive advice on its diet and training.
For adult dogs and cats
Once your pet has celebrated its first birthday, visits to the vet will become less frequent.
For most pets between the ages of 1 and 7, an annual visit to the veterinarian will suffice. This will allow for booster vaccinations and a general health check-up for your pet.
However, in the case of a chronic illness, such as diabetes, visits to the veterinarian will need to be more frequent. This allows for monitoring the progression of the disease and verifying that the treatment remains appropriate.
For senior dogs and cats
Pets (dogs and cats) over the age of 7 are considered seniors. To help them age well, it's important to monitor their health more regularly . Two veterinary visits per year are recommended to prevent any health problems that might arise. Your veterinarian can also advise you on their diet , as the energy needs of a senior pet may differ from those of an adult pet.
Beyond the age of 14, pets are considered geriatric, and veterinary care may need to be increased. Your veterinarian can advise you on the frequency of check-ups to best monitor your pet's health and keep them with you as long as possible.
In what other cases should you consult a veterinarian?
Aside from these routine visits, there may be times when you need to take your pet to the vet for an emergency. Often, when we notice our faithful companion has a health problem, we wonder whether we should call the vet immediately or if it can wait until the next appointment.
Your pet should see a veterinarian quickly , or even urgently in the following cases:
- if you notice a change in your pet's behavior for no apparent reason, such as lethargy;
- in case of significant digestive problems : acute diarrhea, blood in the stool or urine, repeated vomiting;
- in case of loss of balance or difficulty moving;
- if your four-legged companion refuses to eat ;
- in case of poisoning , envenomation , or ingestion of a foreign body ;
- if your furry friend is suffering from seizures ;
- And of course, if your pet gets injured or seems to be suffering , don't wait and consult the vet as soon as possible!
The situations we have just described require an emergency visit to the veterinarian. We advise you to always keep the contact information for the nearest emergency veterinary clinics readily available. It's better to be safe than sorry.
In summary, we recommend taking your pet to the vet at least once a year to monitor their overall health . This annual visit will also be an opportunity to schedule booster vaccinations and deworming treatments. These are two essential steps to maintaining your furry friend's health .
We hope this article will be useful and help you take care of your four-legged companion's health!
