I think we’ve has more interactions with veterinarians in the last two months than we’ve typically have in a year.
Chester and Gretel are very healthy so I usually only take them to the vet once a year….or longer if I forget. I know that annual checkups are important but I didn’t always remember when our year had passed.
I also admit that I didn’t know some of the questions I should be asking. It was from a fellow blogger that I learned I should request a senior blood panel for Chester.
It seems obvious now that I would want an updated blood test to make sure he was still healthy and to use a benchmark to track future changes but I didn’t know. My vet was pleasantly surprised when I asked for one but I was a little surprised they hadn’t ASKED ME to get it done before. I am glad I knew to ask.
I discovered this really cool new website from the folks at Partners for Healthy Pets. They believe that annual checkups, and asking the right questions, are as essential to your dog as food and love.
Partners for healthy Pets created a website to help you remember that it’s time to take your pet to the vet, to understand what your veterinarian looks for, and to understand what questions you should be asking. I registered Chester and Gretel for the annual checkup reminders.
So what’s been going on at our house that Chester and Gretel have been seeing the vet so much? Don’t worry, there is nothing wrong but it just worked out that way.
I discovered a new veterinary “clinic” in Seattle called VetPronto. VetPronto is kind of like an old-timey doctor house call except they take a modern approach to traditional mobile veterinary medicine.
VetPronto sends a licensed veterinarian to your home who talks with you about keeping your pet healthy while performing a routine examination. They can also give vaccinations and draw blood for tests…..all in a low-stress environment for your pet and at a time that is convenient for you. Chester and Gretel were about due for their annual exams so I thought I would give VetPronto a try.
A few weeks ago, Dr. Hur came to our house. He gave Chester and Gretel their annual exams and did Chester’s annual bloodwork tests. Chester’s bloodwork, and both exams, turned out fine. That was vet visit #1.
Dr. Hur generously offered to come to one of our recent Adventureweiner Club meetups so members could ask them questions about their pup. I also talked with him there about how to keep Chester and Gretel healthy and listened to the advice he was giving other pet owners. That was our second “vet experience” this month.
Then I freaked out a little on Friday. Gretel has been acting a little more subdued lately (it could be her mellowing as she ages, our increased activity level, or a sign that something is “off”).
We were hiking on the beach and I thought I noticed her walking funny. The skin on her back was twitching a little and I had never seen that before.
We immediately rushed back to Seattle and our regular vet squeezed her in between appointments. It turned out I was just being a paranoid Mama. The vet said Gretel didn’t show any signs of a back issue.
The vet said Gretel’s neurological function was normal, there were no reactions when he poked and prodded her in all of the “telling” places, she was carrying herself normally, and that she was in really good shape. So – whew! – false alarm but that was our third vet experience in a little over a month.
Hopefully we won’t have to see the vet again until I get our annual reminder from HealthyPetCheckup.org.
When was the last time you visited the vet with your pup? Would you use a “house call” vet if there was one available in your area?
Donna says
I’m very lucky that our vet sends a reminder postcard and they also have a pet portal so they can email me when it’s my dachshund’s time for a check up. If they didn’t do that I’d probably forget.
Emma says
Mom brings all five of us (three dogs, two cats) every September for our annual visit. It is easier with all of us to remember only one appt. and no one smells funny when we get home since we were all there together…and a big multipet discount doesn’t hurt! My sisters and I got a second time in the spring for our heartworm check and it seems like we end up going 1-2 times a year for something small in between. Those yearly visits are very important. I guess it would be easier to have the vet come to us at home, but Mom likes us to get out and get used to the vet. We also do a senior panel for Katie, soon one for me too.
Jessica says
Silas is such a freak–he adores the vet, and he hates having strangers in the house. So, office all the way for us.
Chris Dwane says
Generally, we forget to visit vet because of busy schedule and work. Mostly pet owner thinks that nutritional food and love is enough for pet, but it is not enough because we need to regular visit to veterinarian because pets can’t say that what is the problem and illness and, we also cannot understand .
Delores Lyon says
Thanks for sharing this advice when it comes to the care of your pet! I agree that visiting a vet is really important, especially as your dog gets older. There are a lot of chronic conditions that you may not be able to notice until it is a big problem. A vet would be able to notice the warning signs and help prevent unnecessary damage.
Lilly Sedrick says
It really is so important that you take your pets into visit the vet regularly. This is a great way to make sure that they are as happy and healthy as possible. It is very likely that you pets could be having health issues that you don’t even know about. You always want to make sure that you are taking the best possible care of your pets.
Laila Keirstead says
Sometimes it is perfectly normal to be a little paranoid over the well being of your pets. It also showed you the importance of going to the veterinarian on a regular basis. I have never thought about making a house call so I would probably just take my dogs in because it is cheaper and I usually run errands as well. It makes it easier when I can plan the trip to the vet with my shopping list and still make it back in time for dinner.
Wilfredo Hernandez says
This article is a good reminder about the importance of vet visits for your dog. While my family takes their dogs to the vet more often than most people, my dog’s cancer may have been prevented if she had a more regular checkup. However, she was getting a little old and she was a boxer, which is a breed that gets cancer a lot.
Liz Armeson says
This is so important! Most people don’t even think about making regular vet visits (I know I didn’t for a long time). They only take their pets in when they’re sick or injured. But just like your biannual checkups, cats and dogs need to see a vet regularly. It is so worth it if you can catch things like diabetes or cancer before they become major. I wish more people would read this!
Laurel Larsen says
I have two pet cats, and I have always provided them food and love, but they hate getting in the car to go to the veterinarian. I sometimes avoid taking them, even though I know it is good for them. I love your perspective that annual checkups are as important as food and love. Next time I want to skip their appointment, I will think of your article! Thank you for sharing.
Jessica Rhae says
I’ve never had cat that liked riding in the car. Maybe it’s because any time we did they went to the vet 🙂 But, yes, sometimes we need to do things they don’t like, or that inconvenience us, because it is best for them.
Vicky Durrant says
I recently adopted a puppy, and I want to take care of her as best I can. I know that taking her to the vet is very important, but I haven’t been sure which one I should take her to. I really liked that you mentioned VetPronto in your post, though! I had no idea that there was a veterinary company that will come to your house to do all of the exams that your pet needs! I would love to find a service like this in my area, since I have so little time to take my dog to the vet. I’m going to talk with some of my friends that have dogs to see if they’ve heard of anything like VetPronto in my city. Thank you for the information!
Lucy Gibson says
Jessica, it was a relief to know that your dog did not have any back issues. My husband and I are also a little worried about our golden retriever’s back. We took it on a walk just the other day and noticed it walking a bit funny. It might be time for us to take it into an animal hospital just to be sure.