For most healthy pets, there is no need to come in to see a vet more than once or twice a year for those routine health and wellness exams. Still, there are some potential reasons why you may need to make an appointment with your vet in between those routine appointments.
Your Pet Needs Updated Vaccines
Keep an eye on your pet's vaccination schedule. While some vaccinations will line up with your pet's next wellness exam, there may be some that are due before then. You should always have your pet up-to-date on vaccinations because even a small lapse can make your pet prone to certain infections and diseases. And while most vets will send out reminders if your pet is due for a vaccine in between routine visits, it's still always a good idea to have your pet's vaccination schedule handy so you can refer to it as needed and make sure you're not missing anything.
Change in Potty Habits
If your house-trained pet is suddenly having accidents in the home, this could be a sign of an underlying health problem, such as a urinary tract infection or even kidney disease. Therefore, it's always better to be safe and schedule an appointment with your vet if your pet experiences any changes in this behavior. The same goes if you find that there are suddenly traces of blood in your pet's stool or urine, or any signs of parasites in your pet's stools. These are all issues that should be treated promptly to prevent them from worsening.
Sudden Loss of Appetite
Most pet owners have a pretty good idea of what their pets' appetites are like, so if you suddenly notice that your pet is no longer scarfing down his food or no longer seems interested when it's meal time, this may be worth calling your vet about. They may ask you to bring your pet in for an evaluation to make sure there's nothing more serious going on, as a loss of appetite could indicate a blockage somewhere along the digestive tract, a new allergy to an ingredient in their food, or other more serious medical issues.
These are just a few potential reasons that you may need to schedule a vet appointment in between your pet's routine visits. From there, you can make sure you're doing everything you can take protect your pet's health and wellness at all times.
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