Veterinary Checkup Frequency By Age

Reviewed and fact checked by Bruce Whittle, DVM

Health examinations by a veterinarian are an important component of helping a dog to live a long, healthy life. A dog’s life can be split into three broad stages: the puppy stage which entails rapid growth and development, the adult stage which is basically maintenance, then the senior or geriatric stage which is characterized, unfortunately, by body systems failing to work as well as they once did.

The Puppy Stage: Critical Checkups & Vaccines for Young Dogs

The puppy stage is a fun and exciting stage in which changes in growth and behavior can be noted almost on a daily basis. This stage is also when a dog is most susceptible to infectious diseases because their immune system is naïve to many of the pathogens they may be exposed to. Veterinary checkups for puppies have been traditionally centered around the vaccination schedule. Most puppies have already received a couple vaccinations by the dog breeder before they arrive at their forever home. Some new dog owners assume that their puppy is protected at this point, fail to seek continuing veterinary care and then are devastated when the puppy they have become so attached to gets sick with a serious disease such as parvovirus. Specific protocols vary depending upon specific vaccines used but, generally, puppy vaccination protocols start at 5 weeks of age and then boosters are given every three weeks until a puppy is at least 12 weeks of age. Larger breed puppies are often recommended to get a final vaccination booster at 15-16 weeks of age as they tend to have a higher susceptibility to parvovirus, possibly because they tend to spend more time outdoors and are thus more likely to be exposed to the virus. Rabies vaccinations usually are given to puppies that are at least 12 weeks of age. Because rabies is a regulated disease in most states due to the potential risk an infected dog may pose to human health, this vaccine must be administered by a veterinarian and record-keeping is required.

While these “puppy visits” are centered around the vaccination schedule, they also give the veterinarian an opportunity to do a thorough physical examination to be able to detect problems such as umbilical or inguinal hernias, patellar luxation, dental malocclusions, congenital heart defects, and eye problems to name just a few. Veterinarians will also discuss internal and external parasite control programs to help keep dogs healthy. Several internal parasites of dogs, roundworms and hookworms, which are particularly prevalent in puppies, can cause serious disease in children interacting with the pet. Internal parasite control programs can help mitigate this risk.

Dental issues, especially those related to failure of deciduous (baby) teeth to shed properly, often occur around 4 to 6 months of age. Dogs which have been identified at previous puppy visits to have an increased risk for dental problems will benefit from either an examination during that time frame or from an owner being taught what to look for and when to seek veterinary help if a dental problem presents. If a dental problem related to shedding of deciduous teeth occurs during this time frame but the dog does not receive an examination until its scheduled first annual vaccination boosters, extraction of the deciduous tooth then may be too late for the permanent tooth to erupt into its normal position. Small breed dogs such as Shih Tzus, Dachshunds, Chihuahuas and various terrier breeds seem to be most likely to experience these dental problems.

The Adult Dog Stage: Routine Annual Vet Visits

Once the initial puppy examination and vaccination visits have been completed, the dog is typically recommended to have an annual examination, at which time vaccine boosters may be administered. Though in the past most vaccines carried a one-year booster label, many vaccines now are labeled to be given every three years. For example, rabies vaccine was one of the first vaccines to carry a 3-year label though some rabies vaccines are only labeled for one year. However, state or local laws may mandate that a rabies vaccine is only legally valid for one year even if a 3-year vaccine is used so it is important to discuss these requirements with your veterinarian who should know what the local laws require. The annual examination appointment typically consists of a thorough physical examination to check the heart and lungs, skeletal system, skin, ears, eyes and teeth. The dog’s weight will usually be recorded and recommendations for feeding changes may be made depending upon body condition. Blood testing may be recommended based upon suspicion of metabolic diseases. Orthopedic conditions or eye conditions may require more specific testing such as radiographs or specialized ophthalmic instruments to examine.

The Senior Dog Stage: Specialized Care for Aging Canines

As a dog ages, examinations may become more frequent, especially if a specific condition is being monitored. Routine blood work may be recommended to check kidney and liver function as these systems tend to decrease in efficiency as a dog gets older. Determining problems early allow interventions that will improve a dog’s quality of life. Dietary changes may be necessary to reduce stress on these organ systems. Cancer screening is also an important component of the healthcare of a dog because the risk of cancer increases with increasing age. Speaking of age, determination of when a dog becomes geriatric varies depending upon whether the dog is a small or large breed dog because large breed dogs tend to have a shorter life expectancy than small breed dogs. Therefore, a large breed dog reaches the senior stage at an earlier age than a small breed dog does. Large breed dogs are also more likely to develop many types of cancer than are small breed dogs.

Scheduling periodic examinations for your faithful companion to detect potentially deadly or debilitating diseases in their early stages gives the best chance to treat those conditions. Dogs have a much shorter lifespan than people do so they pack more life into a shorter time period. A partnership with your veterinarian which includes periodic examinations to assist early detection of disease will help you help your dog lead the healthiest, happiest life possible.