We all know that when your dog is sick or injured, they need to see a veterinarian. These animal experts can help diagnose the issue, offer a plan for relief of discomfort, and provide prescriptions and recommendations to help your pup recover. However, there’s one important aspect of caring for dogs that sometimes gets overlooked: recheck or follow-up examinations.
Recheck examinations, when recommended, are just as important as the initial vet visit. In part 1 of this 2-part series of articles, we’ll explain the many benefits of recheck examinations for dogs, explaining how these follow-up appointments can help ensure the safety and health of your four-legged friend.
Why Do Vets Schedule Recheck Examinations?
The number one reason a vet will want to schedule a recheck is to see if your dog’s condition improves after the first visit and prescribed treatments, and if any additional intervention may be required.
However, without a recheck examination, your vet may not be able to know exactly how your dog responds to the treatment. And since it can be difficult for pet owners to know exactly how their dog is doing without the knowledge of a veterinarian, it’s clear to see why these follow-up exams are so important.
Check That Acute Issues are Resolved
In a veterinary clinic, many of the concerns to address in dogs are related to acute health issues. For instance, let’s say you bring your pet to the vet to address ongoing coughing and sneezing. In the initial visit, your dog will be examined thoroughly, a diagnosis will be made, and if necessary, you’ll be provided with a prescription and advice on steps you, the owner, can take at home.
The recheck examination is the essential follow-up to this first appointment. It gives your vet a chance to thoroughly examine your pet (usually a few days or a few weeks later) to determine whether or not the issue has been resolved. Your vet needs to be able to check on the progress of your pet’s recovery in order to know whether they need ongoing care, a different treatment approach, additional tests, or if they’re completely recovered and healthy.
Check on the Improvement of Long-term Health Issues
Beyond acute conditions, rechecks are also vital for more serious health concerns. For instance, it can be difficult for a pet owner to know how well their dog’s surgical incision is healing. If there are chronic illnesses, it is vital to monitor their various blood levels.
Recheck examinations are absolutely vital for long-term and serious health issues. There are health issues, both chronic and acute, that are impossible to monitor at home. Physical examination findings such as listening to the heart and chest, blood pressure levels, palpation of the abdomen, checking blood levels of the kidneys, liver, etc. are vital, thus making the recheck examination a crucial part of care for your dog.
Establish Continuity of Care
When you visit the same veterinarian regularly, it establishes a relationship between you, the veterinarian, and your pet. This creates trust, rapport, and ultimately leads to better care for your dog. Not only will your dog get more comfortable with the same vet over time, but it also means you get peace of mind as the pet owner.
Having trust in your vet will make it easier to understand their recommendations, ask questions when needed, and provide the best possible at-home care for your dog. In the end, continuity of care is the foundation for positive outcomes for your dog’s treatments.
Save Time and Money on Future Visits
Too often, we see pet owners spending unnecessary time and money to resolve an issue that wouldn’t have come up if they had come for a recheck examination.
For example, let’s say you bring your dog to the vet to get an ear infection treated. They diagnose the infection and provide a prescription. After the prescription is done, it may appear that the infection is gone. But without a recheck exam, we can’t be sure that there isn’t still an infection deeper in the ear canal, where you can’t see without special tools. If this deeper infection is left untreated, it could lead to a myriad of other health issues, meaning more vet visits, more money spent, and more stress for you and your dog alike.
Get Guidance as a Pet Owner
The last, and arguably most important benefit of recheck examinations is to get guidance and reassurance from your veterinarian. Our dogs are beloved members of the family, and it can be a scary experience when they’re dealing with a health issue. By checking in with the same vet again, you can be sure that you’re speaking with someone who is familiar with your dog and their condition.
Your vet can answer specific questions, provide advice on ways to make your dog more comfortable at home, and provide better care for your pup across the board.
Stay tuned for part 2 of the benefits of recheck examinations.
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