A dog health check is an important step in maintaining your pet’s overall health. It helps your veterinarian spot early signs of disease so that treatment can begin promptly.

A wellness visit can cost anywhere from $40 to $60, depending on your pet’s age and medical history. That amount can add up quickly, but it’s well worth the investment!

Cost of Vaccinations

Vaccinations are an important part of your dog’s wellness routine, but they can also be a significant expense. These shots can be administered at your veterinarian’s office or at a low-cost vaccination clinic run by a local government or animal shelter.

Essentially, they work by introducing small doses of weak versions of disease-causing bacteria or viruses into your dog’s body. This triggers their immune system to produce antibodies that protect against the disease organisms in the future.

Your pet may need a booster shot after receiving the initial series of vaccines to continue protecting them from disease. Your vet will be able to tell you when your pet will need boosters, and whether these should be given at the same time as the core vaccines or after the first boosters.

The cost of these boosters can vary from one provider to the next, but they typically range between $15 and $50. Adding an additional wellness rider to your pet insurance policy can help cover these costs.

Cost of Heartworm Test

Heartworm disease is a serious, and potentially life-threatening, illness that can affect dogs. Fortunately, heartworm prevention is highly effective, and you can easily prevent this disease from developing in your dog year-round.

A simple blood test that detects the presence of antigens released by female adult heartworm is an affordable way to screen for the presence of heartworms. This test is generally recommended after your dog has been on a heartworm preventative for about six months.

During this time, your veterinarian will also check for the presence of microfilariae (the heartworm’s offspring). These tiny worms can only be seen with a microscope, but they can still cause disease in your dog if left untreated.

Once your dog has been diagnosed with heartworm, they should be treated for the disease using a medication called melarsomine. The cost of this treatment is usually around $500 to $1,500 depending on the severity of your pet’s condition and other factors.

Cost of Fecal Exam

As part of a yearly dog health check, your vet may recommend a fecal exam to detect parasites in your pet’s poop. These parasites can cause your dog to be uncomfortable, irritable, and can even lead to more serious conditions.

Fecal exams are done in your vet’s office and involve microscopic examination of your dog’s feces. They help your vet diagnose and treat infections that could be compromising your dog’s health, and possibly the health of members of your family.

Intestinal parasites are hidden and can go undetected for months or years, which is why yearly fecal exams are so important. Your McAllen veterinarian will be able to identify and treat any parasites that could be affecting your pet’s well-being or the health of those around them.

Cost of Dental Exam

Dental health is a major factor in pet health, and it’s important to have your dog’s teeth checked by a veterinarian yearly. If a dog’s teeth aren’t cleaned, they can become infected and cause pain or discomfort for your pet, which can lead to other health issues.

Many veterinarians offer packages for pet teeth cleanings, which can include the oral exam, X-rays and anesthesia. These prices typically vary depending on your pet’s age, weight and underlying health conditions (if any), so be sure to ask for an estimate from your vet before you schedule a cleaning.

Anesthesia is often necessary for a thorough cleaning, as it allows your pet to safely go under the gum line and get dental x-rays to identify any problems. Without sedation, a deep cleaning would be very painful for your pet and the X-rays would not be clear.