Your considered opinions, PLEASE

[Paula N.]

In the August 2010 issue of the Whole Dog Journal there is a long and very thought-provoking article entitled "Annual Vet (Not Vaccine) Visits" which discusses at length vaccines sort of versus titering, but that is not what interested me primarily.  As a sort of sidebar, under "What You Can Do . . ." was this:  "Commit to taking your dog to your veterinarian for annual checkups; consider twice-annual visits for dogs seven years of age and older."

Now I adopted Angel from a kill shelter back in 2006 (early January).  At the time they estimated her age to be "about 5 years old".  It is now August 2010 and that would make her about 9 years old.  She seems to be in splendid health, and I got her weight down after she put on considerable after adoption.  I also take her for an annual exam, and she gets the 3-year rabies shot.  She will have a bordatella shot later in August/September, as I will have to board her when I go on vacation in September or October.

My question is:  would you consider twice-annual vet visits under the circumstances.  I don't know how old she is, and I want only the best for her.  How many of you with older dogs have twice-a-year-wellness checks for them?  And would you consider doing this?  Do you think it is necessary? 

I don't recall seeing this ever addressed on the Board and will be anxious to learn what all of you think.  I'm a crass amateur, and all of you seem to be very experienced in dog care.  I very much value your opinions.  Bring 'em on!  Mucho, mucho thanks!

[nevada.the.eskie]

I don't have seniors, but I would think if I was in your situation, I would stick to the Annual visits. You are very in-tune with your dogs and their needs, so if anything were to be "off" you would notice right away and get them to the vet if the situation called for it. I don't see any reason to take a perfectly healthy dog into the vet 2 times a year just for a check-up.

[BanaerEskies]

the additional visits would be one more opportunity for catching things early, but no I would not do it unless there I noticed changes or had some issue with health or behaviour.  If you think about what a vet visit entails, they really don't do much beyond a physical look at the dog unles you get into pricier things like blood tests and it just doesn't seem justified if you have no issues. 

[Jasmine]

I totaly agree with the comments above.  I think that once a year is enough, unless you notice a change in your dog and think that he/she should see a Vet.

[Geno]

I agree with everyone else. Once a year is fine unless there is an issue. Maybe during that 1 yr visit have a blood test done, which can catch some problems before they get serious. For example... kidney problems would show up on a blood test before you'd actually notice it.

Geno

[Saint Mom]

My vet recommends that a once a year visit it is ok to check weight, ear,teeth, heart murmurs, etc. Until they reached their golden years, a blood panel every 2-3 years (unless we feel something would require one sooner). Then, every year to make sure we catch whatever we could in the blood tests. But I'm maniac so they get a yearly blood panel. hihi

[Paula N.]

Thanks everyone.  I really do appreciate it.  I had never heard of twice-a-year vet visits so was really wondering. 

St. Mom - I am a maniac too.  So Angel always gets the blood work.  It makes for less worry.

[Rileysmom]

In Riley's case, we visit the vet at least twice a year for routine stuff.  Every year, he gets two Lepto shots six months apart because he spends every spring, summer and fall wading and swimming in the local creeks and ponds.    He also gets two blood tests per year to check thyroid levels--one of those combined with a senior wellness panel.  Since he turned ten last year, I am taking him in twice a year for regular exams, at which time he gets whatever boosters he might need that year, if any, and his annual bordatella (for the dog park).  I try to stagger the appointments so he only gets one booster per visit, although he has never had a bad reaction to anything.  Luckily our vet doesn't charge a fee for each "office visit", so we just pay for services rendered.

[snowballsmom]

i am of "less is more" and only take them when things are wrong. they are hovering on either side of 7 right now. snowball had bloood work a few months ago and it indicated she will likely live forever  and snoopy will get his in the next few months, when my vet returns from his romp in greece  . they'll both get their teeth done, eventually, and otherwise they see the doc on an as needed basis. they got their rabies shot in the spring, first in 5 years, and it will likely be the last one they get.
as they show signs of getting older, i will probably take them in more but as of now, snowball could give a puppy a run for thier money and snoopy, while he acts like furniture we feed, has ALWAYS acted like this so it's not something i worry about due to age, illness, etc.
i'll do the routine bloodwork on as regular a basis as the vet recomends, and, i trust him, as he's a close pal from high school, not just someone out to get my money. so whatever his schedule is, we'll follow that as time goes on.

[DAL818]

Twice for Snowball...even as a puppy. They age seven times the rate we do. That would be like a human going to the doctor once every seven years. All of mine go for blood work and stool sample just so we know. We all want them around as long as possible and that gives me some peace of mind.

[BanaerEskies]

Twice for Snowball...even as a puppy. They age seven times the rate we do. That would be like a human going to the doctor once every seven years. All of mine go for blood work and stool sample just so we know. We all want them around as long as possible and that gives me some peace of mind.

365 days is just a year...the aging calc is just to help humans understand the life cycle of a dog.  I have 6 dogs, 4 cats and 2 horses....."extra" vet visits are a huge financial unnecessary financial cost.  Unless something is wrong, they get their annual visits.  The caveat to that is that I train with alot of vets and one is close friend, so I do get to run things by them and get a vet look any time I want it. 

[eskilady]

Mine are lucky if they see the vet once a year.  I know when something is wrong and then I will take them to the vet's.  We give our own shots and take them to a clinic for rabies.  As Nancy says - vets are alot of money!!!  I have 4 eskies and being unemployed, I just can't afford unnecessary vet visits.  Molly is 11.