PE Frequency
How often
should a dog have physical exams (considering that the dog is in perfect
health)?
A puppy should be examined several times during it's first year of life. As a puppy grows, it is important to make sure teeth and bones are developing properly, and health remains optimum during the vulnerable first year. Since vaccinations are administered in a series of three or more to young puppies, this is convenient for veterinary examinations at the time of vaccination. From one to five, most dogs are healthy, and an annual examination is adequate. For dogs older than five, especially large breeds and dogs with a history of problems, one examination per year may not be adequate. Keep in mind, dogs age seven years for each calendar year.
One problem I see in may practice is the low cost vaccination clinics. Since the vaccination protocol for dogs approximates the examination need of most dogs, it used to work great. The veterinarian would examine all dogs at the time of their vaccinations. This also gave people a chance to have questions answered and problems solved. Many people now forget to return to the veterinarian for the annual physicals once the vaccinations are satisfied at the vaccine clinic.
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