How Often Should I Take My Service Dog to the Vet?
According to a recent statistic from Assistance Dogs International, the world’s leading standards-setter and accreditation body for training assistance dogs, there are approximately 26,825 active assistance dog teams around the globe. After all, service dogs are truly amazing beings that help to empower the veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders served by America’s VetDogs to have more independence, mobility, and dignity in their lives. Or, as we like to say, to help them Live Without Boundaries®. Not to mention that guide, service, and other assistance dogs can help people who are deaf, have PTSD or other physical, emotional, or non-apparent disabilities. In fact, these dogs are bred and trained especially for these tasks. With all the help guide and service dogs provide to keep people safe and healthy, we must do the same to them, particularly knowing when to take your guide or service dog to the vet.
Regular Check-Ups
Service dogs are working dogs, and like any dog, it’s recommended that they go to the vet at least once a year for an annual check-up. An annual check-up normally consists of a wellness exam, in which a physical is conducted. In addition, the vet will document your dog’s physical growth and mention any concerns about their health. Of course, the vet will also give you an update on any vaccinations or medications for which your service dog is due. It’s important to note that if your service dog is 8 years or older, then they should go to the vet for a check-up semiannually because they are more prone to injuries and illnesses. This shouldn’t look too different from the care you’ve provided for any other dogs previously.
Medical Emergencies
As mentioned earlier, service dogs are specially bred and trained from birth to provide specific tasks to aid people who have physical, emotional, or other non-apparent disabilities other than blindness. We all know how important it is to keep service dogs and their owners safe. That’s why there is a specific assistance dog etiquette that must be followed at all times. Even though service dogs are some of the best trained dogs in the world, scary situations can still arise.
If your service dog shows signs of pain like limping, shaking, or panting for a long duration of time, then it’s recommended that you take your dog to the vet immediately. Similarly, if your dog eats something that is poisonous, you should immediately take your dog to the nearest emergency veterinary facility. Likewise, if you feel any bumps or tumors on your dog, it’s time for a vet visit as well.
In general, if you feel like your service dog is not acting like itself for a long period of time, then you should take them to the vet out of an abundance of caution. Make sure you check out our dog emergency procedures for additional information on the steps you need to take when you bring your service dog to the vet for an emergency visit.
Everyone knows how expensive vet visits and emergency animal hospital visits can be, and while it’s key to know how to use pet insurance at vets to keep your other pet bills at a manageable level, America’s VetDogs has a veterinary financial assistance program that can help cover the cost of medical emergencies associated with your service dog. Not only that, but we also provide a lifetime of aftercare support, offer a $200 stipend for veterinary care, discounted heartworm preventatives, discounted flea and tick preventatives along with other program support. This way, if something serious does happen to your service dog, you can rest assured knowing that they will receive proper care without you having to bear the financial hardship of it. After all, the only thing you should be focusing on when your service dog gets sick or injured is their health and well-being.
Overall, your service dog should go to the vet once or twice a year, unless an emergency situation arises. On top of being loving, these dogs empower people to have greater independence and mobility. They help allow people to travel and live more independently. For all they do for us, we need to make sure we do the same for them and help keep them healthy.