The Essential Guide to Dog Preventive Care: What You Need to Know

Dog ownership can be one of the most rewarding experiences. However, having to be fully responsible for your canine can be challenging. One of the most important aspects of dog ownership is preventive care. This guide will help you learn the comprehensive approach to dog preventive care to strengthen their overall well-being.

Understanding Preventive Care for Dogs

Preventive care is a proactive approach to your pet’s health. While it’s important for any type of pet, we’ll focus on dogs for this blog. Preventive care includes wellness exams, routine vaccinations, and promoting healthy habits for Spot. These programs are personalized for your dog so they can receive the best care possible. By prioritizing these preventive measures, you can significantly lessen your furry companions’ risk of health issues.

Regular Wellness Exams

Regular wellness and physical examinations are the most important parts of dog preventive care. They include assessments of overall health by our expert team, who ensure that your pup is healthy while also providing early detection of diseases or other physical ailments.

We recommend getting at least yearly exams for your dog to ensure they are as healthy as possible. Through these exams, you will learn what is normal for your dog, such as their weight and behavior. As a dog owner, knowing their baselines will help you detect when things are wrong and keep your dog as healthy as possible.

What Vaccines Should I Get for My Dog?

New puppies are required to get certain vaccinations. Here is a list of the core vaccines that puppies need to get:

• DHLPP (canine distemper, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, parainfluenza, and bacterial infection leptospirosis)
• Lyme vaccine
• Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine
• Rabies virus

Check out this article by PetMD to see a comprehensive list of vaccines and vaccine schedules. These are vital for every puppy to be healthy and stay healthy.

Non-required vaccines depend on the environment and lifestyle. Give us a call, and we can help you decide which vaccines to give your new puppy or adult dog.

Parasite Prevention

Parasite prevention is also essential to your canine’s well-being, especially with the arrival of spring. Fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites are all problematic for dogs. Here are some ways to protect your dog from parasites:

• Check your dog’s fur for fleas and ticks after being outside.
• Monthly heartworm preventatives not only prevent parasites but most gastro-intestinal parasites, too.
• We recommend an effective oral medication that lasts 12 weeks per dose against ticks.

These preventive measures will allow your dog to roam freely without the risk of picking up fleas, ticks, or worms.

Nutritional and Behavioral Counseling

Deciding which food to feed your dog among all the different options can be a daunting task—deciding how much and when to feed them can be just as challenging as a new puppy owner. Nutritional counseling from us at Animal Medical Center allows you to gain expert advice on your pet’s nutrition. This dietary guidance includes personalized recommendations for your dog to meet their nutrition needs.

If you’re concerned about your dog’s behavior, give us a call. We offer initial consultation about your dog’s behavior. From there, we will recommend a referral to a veterinary behavioralist if necessary. This will go a long way in strengthening your relationship with your pup and helping them live happier lives.

Schedule an Appointment

Call the experts here at Animal Medical Center in Menomonee Falls, WI, at (262) 251-2904 to schedule a preventive care appointment today.