4 Veterinary Services Every Dog Needs
When it comes to keeping Fido happy and healthy, there are certain veterinary services that pet owners should take advantage of. Here are four veterinary services every dog needs.
1. Dental Care
Like humans, it's important for dogs to have good oral health. When their gums and teeth are healthy, they will have a reduced chance of getting gum disease and experiencing tooth loss. This is important, as dogs need their teeth to eat their food. There are no such thing as dentures for dogs, so when they experience tooth loss, their health could decline rather quickly.
If your dog lets you, you should brush their teeth every day. Veterinarians recommend getting your dog's teeth cleaned at least twice a year.
2. Vaccinations
If you want to keep your dog as healthy as possible, and prevent them from getting contagious diseases, your dog should get vaccinated. Your dog should get their first set of pet vaccinations when they are between 6 to 8 weeks old. After the first set of shots, it's important to keep your dog on the vaccination schedule that your veterinarian recommends.
Pet vaccinations are broken down into two different groups including core and non-core vaccinations. Core vaccinations are ones that are highly recommended and non-core ones are usually optional. Some examples of core vaccinations for dogs include parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis, and rabies.
3. Microchipping
In order to increase the chances that your dog will be found if it ever gets lost, stolen, or runs away, you should get a microchip implanted in your dog. This is a painless procedure that does not require anesthesia. The microchip chip is the size of a grain of rice and gets placed under your dog's skin, generally between their shoulder blades.
The microchip has a unique identification code. If your dog shows up at a shelter or another veterinary clinic, they will be able to get the code with a microchip scanner and return your dog safely back to you.
4. Grooming
Even if you brush and bathe your dog on a regular basis, you should still take your dog to a professional groomer. These professional groomers will be able to detect parasites or any abnormalities with your dog's skin. Professional groomers can also trim your dog's nails.
When your dog is groomed on a regular basis, their coat and skin will stay healthy. Some professional dog groomers also provide anal gland expression, which is another way to keep your dog healthy.