We've written several posts about the new vaccine guidelines and how most of the core vaccines don't need to be repeated every year.
While most pets don't need boosters more often than every three years, (assuming they have had the puppy/ kitten series plus the one year anniversary booster) they most certainly need to visit the Veterinarian at least once a year for a "Wellness" exam.
Even when we vaccinated every year a key component of that visit was the physical exam and routine diagnositc tests to make sure the pet was in good health.
Just in case you need a good reason to get the pooch or the kitty an routine physical exam allow me to give you an example that is near and dear to my heart.
I've gotten an annual physical exam for the last 18 years. It's actually something I eagerly anticipate. Why? Well, it's not the prostate exam I assure you. It's the fact that I might actually be dead without a yearly physical.
About six years ago I told my physician about my persistent heart burn. He ordered and upper GI endoscopy procedure where the GI specialist diagnosed Barret's esophagus. Barret's involves a change in the cellular lining of the esophagus that can progress into full blown cancer. The type of cancer that killed my brother in law. The good news is that we treated the condition successfully and I'm as good as new to this day.
As I get older my physical exams become even more important. And having an 18 year track record allows me to track changes over time.
The same concepts apply to dogs and cats. I can remember many cases where we uncovered diseases in the early stages during the annual PE when they were still manageable. Many of those pets lived several more healthy years as a result of our early intervention.
The annual "Wellness" exam is also a place to talk general prevention and get all those questions handled at one time. It's also a good time for dental cleanings, flea and tick prevention and heartworm control if you live in heartworm endemic areas.
Annual exams allow for examination of blood and urine samples. These types of diagnostic tests reveal how the internal organ systems are functioning and provide for an early warning system for many serious conditions.
Wellness exams become even more important as your pet ages. It may be advisable to have wellness exams on a more frequent basis, say every six months for older pets. Think about it. Would you tell your octogenarian mom to get a physical every seven years?
If there is one thing you can do to keep your pet healthy as long as possible, it's to make sure they get an annual physical examination. Oh, and every three years, don't forget those boosters.