Regular dog health checks are an essential part of keeping your pet healthy and happy. They provide vets with lots of important insights about your dog and can help spot issues before they become serious.
The cost of a dog health check varies from clinic to clinic. Here are some estimates for you to consider.
Cost of Vaccinations
Vaccines are essential to your pet’s health and wellness. They prevent serious, life-threatening illnesses like rabies and distemper.
Your vet will recommend vaccines based on your dog’s lifestyle and the region you live in. Some core vaccines that are vital include rabies and parvovirus, while non-core vaccines might be recommended depending on your pet’s needs.
While the cost of vaccinations can be a significant chunk of your vet bill, they’re worth it in the long run because they protect your dog from life-threatening illness. Plus, vaccines help to ensure that your pet is not infecting other dogs or people with infectious diseases.
Typically, the cost of vaccinations is between $25-75 per shot (plus a small medical waste fee). You may also be able to find low-cost options at veterinarian clinics.
Cost of Parasite Prevention
Parasites are a major concern for many pet owners and can lead to serious illness. The good news is that prevention is much easier and less expensive than treatment.
Your veterinarian will recommend the best parasite prevention plan for your dog or cat based on their age, health and lifestyle. Fleas, ticks, heartworms and intestinal worms are all important to control.
Fecal testing is necessary to detect the presence of these parasites, especially if your pet spends a lot of time outdoors or has frequent contact with other pets. This test is similar to a bloodwork in that it involves the examination of a sample of your pet’s feces on a microscope slide.
A fecal exam is usually recommended annually for adults and at least every other year for puppies and kittens. This test can be done at the veterinary hospital or sent to an outside laboratory. It is a more accurate way to identify intestinal parasites than direct smear tests.
Cost of General Wellness Exam
A general wellness exam is an important part of your dog’s health care routine. It can help detect early signs of illness and disease, allowing your vet to recommend preventive measures that will keep your pet healthy and happy.
Most vets recommend that dogs get a general wellness checkup once or twice a year. This visit will include a full physical exam, bloodwork and any necessary shots or immunizations.
Your dog’s doctor will also conduct a fecal exam, which can be helpful in determining whether your pet has worms or other parasites. This exam will usually cost between $25 and $50.
Veterinary visits can be expensive, but it’s essential to get routine care. Getting your dog or cat covered by pet insurance can help you keep the costs down. Depending on the policy, it may cover accidents and illnesses, hereditary conditions or both.
Cost of Bloodwork
Bloodwork is a great way for a vet to get an accurate picture of your pet’s health. These tests can help reveal minor imbalances in your dog’s organ function that may indicate a serious underlying issue, and they can also catch cancer at an early stage.
Usually, routine blood work at a dog wellness exam will include a complete blood count (CBC) and blood chemistry analysis. These tests can reveal a lot about your dog’s hydration status, anemia, infection, immune response and blood clotting ability.
Specialized blood tests, on the other hand, can be used to diagnose or monitor specific health problems. They might include leukemia or lymphoma testing, allergy blood panels and other specialized metrics.
As with any veterinary service, the cost of bloodwork will vary based on your location and the veterinary care provider you choose. Be sure to ask for a price estimate before you make an appointment.