How frequently should I take my dog and cat to the veterinarian for a routine well pet examination?

Pets age much faster than people. A 1-year-old cat has matured to approximately the same level as a 24 year old person. Pets are considered seniors when they reach about 2/3 of their average life expectancy. This means that most dogs and cats reach their senior years at about 8 years of age. Large breed dogs become seniors at about 7 years, and giant breeds at about 5 years.

This rapid aging process means that many disease processes can develop rapidly. Significant health changes can occur in as little as 3 to 6 months throughout a pet’s life.

The best opportunity we have to try to identify problems is during a wellness examination. If the problem can be identified at an early stage, we have a better opportunity to initiate therapies that will prolong a patient’s life and to maintain or improve their quality of life. Therefore, wellness examinations every 6 months are appropriate.

Young puppies and kittens are seen monthly through their initial vaccination series. These pets are usually healthy, but sometimes we find orthopedic concerns like hip dysplasia, luxating patellae, umbilical hernias or heart murmurs. Some of these problems are not found during a single examination because they are not apparent; symptoms and signs can develop within just a few weeks due to the rapid growth. These visits are also opportunities to discuss behavior and wellness care at home.

About six months after the initial vaccine series, another wellness exam should be done. When a pet finishes its initial vaccine series at about 4 months old, it is the equivalent of about a 10-year-old human. At about 10 months old, it is the equivalent of about a 20-year-old human. Many changes have taken place physically during this time. This is also a critical period for behavior development. Behavior is the number one reason for dog euthanasia in the United States. If problems can be identified early, they can be addressed before they become so ingrained that behavior modification becomes more difficult or impossible.

About six months later, the next series of vaccines are due, and the pet is the equivalent of about a 26-year-old person. These numbers will vary some from cat to dog and breed to breed.

For many pets, maturation slows some during the adult stages of life. Most pets will age at about 6 to 7 times as fast as a human. If only annual exams are performed, this means a pet will have aged 6-7 years between the exams. Even if exams were done at 6 months intervals, this would be the equivalent of a person going to the doctor only every 3-4 years. Human physicians like to see patients at least annually.

Senior pets have many problems. Aging should not be considered a disease. However, many disease processes come with aging. Problems like cancer, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, thyroid disease and arthritis are very common in older patients. The sooner disease processes are identified, the more likely we are going to be able to treat successfully or to start management at an earlier and more treatable stage of disease. This will help prolong a pet’s life and maintain quality of life.

Many animals are experts at hiding signs of disease. Cats seem to be particularly good at this. Often, pet owners do not notice subtle changes in a pet’s behavior, eating habits, elimination habits or activity. Veterinarians can help educate an owner about things to watch for. Often, the history questions help owners realize subtle changes are taking place.

Many times, the only way to identify a disease process is to run lab work or take radiographs. This is why lab work is routinely done on older patients as screening for disease. The most common laboratory evaluations are complete blood counts, general health chemistry profiles, thyroid hormone levels, and urinalysis. These tests are recommended at least annually for senior pets.

Routine wellness exams every 6 months will help keep your pet healthy and allow the earlier detection and treatment of disease.

David Lindquist, DVM, is with Bobtown Pet Clinic. 715-749-4006. Please send questions for Ask An Expert to: dlindquist@bobtownpetclinic.com.

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