How often should your pet visit the vet?

Pets are members of the family and they regular check ups just like we do.

To find how often you should be bringing your pet to the vet, we reached out to Dr. Jennifer Jones Shults, who owns a 24/7 emergency and rehabilitation practice in Cary.

Should people be taking their pets to the vet for regular checkups and how often?

Dr. Shults: Yes, every pet should see a veterinarian at least once a year. A physical exam can catch small health problems before they turn into larger problems and are a great opportunity to review your pet's diet and any concerns you may have. An annual physical exam is also required to prescribe any medication, even heartworm prevention and many of the flea and tick preventatives. If your pet has a chronic medical condition, or is a senior pet, your veterinarian may recommend exams every 6 months. Regular exams help prevent more serious problems that may take you to the ER or require more involved treatment plans. Love your pet, See a vet!

Do some pets require regular appointments? Do some require less? ​

Dr. Shults: All pets should see their veterinarian once a year for a physical exam. The exam includes looking at the entire animal including evaluating for eye, ear, or dental problems; listening to the heart and lungs; palpating the abdomen; looking for skin problems; evaluating for lameness or neurologic issues; evaluating your pet's diet and weight. It's a great opportunity to ask any questions you have. The veterinarian will also make recommendations for vaccinations, though many of the core vaccines are now given every 3 years. If a pet has a medical condition, they may need to be seen every 3-6 months for an exam and testing.

When you first get a new pet, should you see a vet immediately for a checkup?

Dr. Shults: Always! I recommend having a new pet examined by your regular veterinarian within the first week of bringing them home; for puppies, I recommend within the first 3 days. Your veterinarian will do a physical exam as above, check their vaccine history, and help you with diet and healthcare recommendations to keep them healthy.

Are there any "red flags" that pet owners should be looking for that would trigger a vet call or visit? Not eating properly? Lethargic?

Dr. Shults:

True Emergencies - get to the vet now: Unable to breathe, collapsing at home, unable to get up or walk, male cats straining to urinate, actively seizing for >3 minutes, severe trauma like being hit by a car, profuse bleeding, snake bite, persistent vomiting or retching
Urgent - get to the vet within a few hours: Vomiting 3 or more times, a pet less than 16 weeks old who won't eat, not acting right after eating foreign material, persistent coughing, problems while giving birth, 3 or more seizures in 24 hours, ingestion of any medications or toxic substances, bloody vomiting & diarrhea, squinting or swollen eye, insulin overdose
Semi-urgent - get to the vet today: Vomiting 1-2 times, not eating for >24 hours, acute diarrhea, straining to defecate, bloody urine or straining to urinate, small wounds, intermittent coughing, broken toenails, allergic reactions, limping

Reason for concern - get an appointment soon: itching or scratching, weight loss, hair loss, red skin or ears, a single seizure and then back to normal, decreased appetite

What type of features should pet owners be looking for in a vet? (hours, payment plans, consistent staff, etc?)

Dr. Shults: Everyone has different needs in a veterinary practice. If you have a hard time getting off work during the day, you may want a larger practice that is open in the evenings and on weekends. If you value always seeing the same doctor, you may want a 1-2 doctor practice but they likely will have more limited hours. Most veterinary practices do not offer in-house payment plans but may take national programs like CareCredit or ScratchPay. Some cat owners prefer a cat only practice; some dog owners appreciate having a veterinarian with experience with their breed of pet. I recommend looking at the practice's website, then schedule an exam with a veterinarian and talk through your concerns. It is important to have a veterinarian you can trust and listen to their recommendations.

What about dental cleanings for your pets?

Dr. Shults: Dental health is very important. There is a list of products approved by the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) that can help prevent plaque build up. Once plaque becomes target (the yellow-brown substance on teeth), then a dental cleaning is needed to remove that. Most dental problems are under the gumline, so what you see is a small amount of the problems. Regular exams will help to identify dental problems early. Most pets need a dental cleaning every 1-2 years. This is done under general anesthesia, and likely will include some dental x-rays. Good preventative dental care will keep your pet comfortable and prevent other issues.

Dr. Shults is the Immediate Past-President of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association, and owns a 24/7 emergency practice in Cary.