There is this commonly held belief that your dog ages 7 years to every one of yours, and while this is only somewhat accurate, it is true that your dog will age faster than you. This also means that age related diseases may develop before expected. There was a time when you would take your dog in for annual shots, as vaccination schedules have changed, this is no longer the case. This means you might go 2 or 3 or perhaps even longer between veterinarian visits. This is not a good idea. There are several benefits to having dogs visit their veterinarians in Mission Viejo every year.

Yearly check-ups are critical in detecting subtle changes in your dog’s health. Regular visits play a big role in the prevention and early detection of disease. This is so much better than having to bring your dog to the vet when symptoms are present.

You probably wouldn’t bring your dog in for behavioral problems, unless, of course, they happen to be severe. But when you bring your dog in for his annual check-up, it is the perfect opportunity to ask your vet about any behavioral problems you might be experiencing with your dog. For example, you might want to know why your dog continually jumps on visitors or why he becomes so distressed when you leave for work. Remember, we look after your dog’s mental well-being as well as his physical health.

Finally, annual vet visits help build a bond between you, your dog and the veterinarian. Annual visits are the best way we get to know your dog as well as his owners. It is far easier to recognize when something is not quite right when we are familiar with the dog. So go ahead, pick up the phone and schedule an appointment today.