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Most adult dogs should visit the vet for a health check at least once a year. Puppies under 12 months need check-ups every few weeks for vaccination boosters, while senior dogs over seven years should see a vet twice yearly. Regular health checks help catch health issues early, keep vaccinations up to date, and ensure your pet stays healthy and happy throughout their life. According to recent data, nearly 40% of pets over the age of 8 are affected by arthritis, making early detection through routine check-ups crucial. Furthermore, one in four dogs will develop cancer in their lifetime, highlighting why preventive care matters so much.

How Often hould Dogs See a Vet?

The frequency of vet visits depends on your dog’s age, breed, and overall health status. Just like humans need different levels of medical care throughout their lives, dogs and cats age much faster than us and need varying levels of veterinary attention at different life stages.

Puppies (Up to 12 Months)

Your puppy needs frequent vet visits during their first year. Most puppies should visit the vet every 3-4 weeks until they’ve completed their initial vaccination series, usually around 16 weeks of age. These early check-ups cover vaccination schedules, parasite prevention, dental care basics, behaviour advice, and nutrition guidance.

These early wellness checks set the foundation for lifelong health. Your local vet will also discuss desexing options and ensure your dog is developing properly. Many dog owners find that scheduling annual check-ups from puppyhood helps establish a routine for responsible pet ownership.

Adult Dogs (1–7 Years)

Healthy adult dogs typically need an annual health check. This yearly vet visit should include a physical examination of your pet, checks for any signs of illness, a dental health assessment, vaccination boosters as recommended by your vet, and a discussion of any behaviour changes or health concerns.

Even if your dog seems perfectly healthy, these regular vet checks are essential. Dogs and cats age much faster than human years—roughly seven dog years for every human year in adult pets—which means health changes can develop quickly.

Current data shows that 89% of dogs saw a vet in the past year, demonstrating that most Australian pet owners understand the importance of regular veterinary care. The most common reasons were check-ups and vaccinations.

Senior Dogs (7+ Years)

Senior pets need more frequent attention. Dogs over seven should have health check-ups twice per year, or every six months. As dogs age, they’re more prone to arthritis, dental disease, heart problems, kidney issues, and cancer.

During the senior years, your vet may recommend blood tests, urine analysis, and more thorough physical examinations to catch emerging health problems early. Early detection makes treatment more effective and often less expensive than waiting until symptoms become severe.

Senior dog care is part of responsible pet ownership that can significantly improve your dog’s quality of life in their later years.

Dogs With Chronic or Ongoing Conditions

If your cat or dog has been diagnosed with ongoing health issues like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or arthritis, they’ll need more frequent vet visits—sometimes monthly or quarterly, depending on the condition.

Your veterinarian will create a customised care plan that includes regular monitoring through blood or urine tests, medication adjustments, dietary recommendations, and progress assessments. Managing chronic conditions well can help keep your pet healthy and comfortable for longer.

What Happens During a Dog Health Check?

A comprehensive health check at your veterinary clinic involves several important steps. Your vet will perform a thorough physical examination, checking your pet’s weight, temperature, heart rate, eyes, ears, teeth, skin, coat, joints, and abdomen.

The vet will also discuss your dog’s behaviour, eating habits, exercise routine, and any concerns you’ve noticed. This conversation is crucial; you know your dog best, and small changes you’ve observed can provide valuable clues about your pet’s health.

Depending on your dog’s age and health, the vet may also recommend dental checks to assess gum health and tartar buildup, parasite screening for worms, fleas, and ticks, vaccination updates following the recommended schedule, and blood tests for senior pets or those with health risks.

Your vet will also discuss preventive care, including nutrition, weight management, and exercise. With 41% of dogs in Australia being either overweight or obese, maintaining a healthy weight is a critical aspect of pet care that vets address during check-ups.

The annual check-up is also the perfect time to discuss any new concerns, ask questions about pet health checks, and make sure your pet is in top shape.

Can Regular Health Checks Prevent Serious Illness?

Absolutely. Regular health checks and vaccinations are one of the best ways to protect your dog from serious diseases. Annual health checks allow vets to discover how often health problems develop before they become emergencies.

Early detection through regular veterinary care means conditions like heart disease, kidney problems, diabetes, dental disease, arthritis, and even some cancers can be identified and managed sooner. Catching health issues early often leads to better outcomes and can save on emergency vet costs down the track.

Vaccinations protect against preventable diseases like parvovirus, distemper, and hepatitis. Dental care prevents painful infections and tooth loss. Regular vet visits help ensure your dog receives the care they need before small problems become big ones.

Research shows that pets often hide illness until it’s quite advanced—it’s an evolutionary survival instinct. Regular check-ups help vets spot problems your dog might be hiding. Preventive care through consistent health checks per year truly is the cornerstone of keeping your pet healthy for longer.

Book Your Dog’s Health Check Today

Don’t wait until your dog shows signs of illness. Regular health checks are essential for maintaining your dog’s health and well-being throughout all life stages. Whether you need to schedule your pet’s annual examination, book a puppy checkup, or arrange more frequent visits for your senior pet, the team at Keysborough Veterinary Practice is here to help.

Contact us today to discover how often to take your dog to the vet based on their individual needs. Our experienced veterinary team provides comprehensive pet health checks tailored to your dog’s age and health requirements. Take your dog in for their next check-up and invest in their optimal health—because keeping your dog healthy means more happy years together.

Call Keysborough Veterinary Practice or book online to ensure your dog gets the veterinary care they deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should dogs have a vet check-up?
Adult dogs need an annual check-up, puppies require visits every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks old, and senior dogs should visit the vet twice yearly.

Do indoor dogs need regular health checks?
Yes, even indoor pets need regular vet visits. Indoor dogs can still develop dental disease, weight issues, and age-related conditions that require monitoring.

Are annual health checks really necessary?
Absolutely. Annual examinations help detect health problems early when they’re easier to treat. Many dogs hide symptoms, making regular checks essential.

How often should senior dogs see a vet?
Senior dogs (7+ years) should have health check-ups every six months to monitor age-related changes and catch problems early.

What if my dog seems healthy?
Even healthy-looking dogs benefit from regular vet checks. Many health concerns develop gradually, and cats and dogs age faster than humans—making routine monitoring crucial for catching issues before they become serious.

Dog Vaccination: Veterinary Guide to Common Diseases and Pet Vaccinations

Do you know why vaccination is the single most effective method of preventing serious diseases in dogs? Every day, we see pets who’ve been protected from devastating illnesses simply because their owners understood the power of vaccination. 

Vaccination protects your dog from deadly infections, ensures immunity against highly contagious diseases, and keeps your beloved companion happy and healthy. If you have a new puppy or adult dog, understanding how vaccinations protect your dog is essential for every pet owner. 

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about dog vaccination, from core vaccine requirements to vaccination schedules that provide lifelong protection.

Understanding How Dog Vaccination Works: The Science Simplified

Think of vaccination like a fire drill for your dog’s immune system. Just as practice prepares people for emergencies, vaccines prepare your dog’s body to fight real threats without the risk of contracting a disease.

Here’s what happens when your dog gets vaccinated. The vaccine introduces a harmless version of a virus or bacteria into your dog’s body. This trains your dog’s immune system to produce disease-fighting antibodies without causing actual illness. Your dog’s body creates special memory cells that remember exactly how to fight that specific disease. Then, if your dog later comes into contact with the real deal, their immune system launches a rapid, powerful defence.

There’s another benefit too. When most dogs in a community are vaccinated, it creates what’s called herd immunity. This protects vulnerable animals who can’t be vaccinated due to age or health issues. So by vaccinating your dog, you’re not just protecting them – you’re helping protect every pet in your neighbourhood.

Core vs. Non-Core Vaccines: What Every Dog Needs

Not all vaccines are created equal. Some are absolutely essential for every pet, while others depend on your dog’s lifestyle and risk factors.

1. Core Vaccines Essential for Every Pet

These vaccinations are vital for all dogs, no exceptions. They protect against diseases that are widespread, highly dangerous, or pose risks to humans.

Rabies Vaccination

This is the big one. Rabies is an often fatal virus that attacks the nervous system of both animals and humans. It’s so serious that rabies vaccination is actually required by law in most regions. You’ll need proof of rabies vaccination for boarding facilities, grooming appointments, and travel. There’s no cure once symptoms appear, which is why prevention through vaccination is absolutely critical.

Canine Distemper (Part of DHPP Vaccine)

Distemper is a nasty disease that attacks multiple body systems, including the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. It spreads incredibly easily through airborne droplets and contact with infected dogs. Common signs include discharge from the eyes, persistent cough, vomiting, and diarrhoea. The scary part? It’s often fatal, especially in puppies. The good news is that vaccination provides excellent protection.

Canine Parvovirus

If there’s one disease that strikes fear in the hearts of veterinarians, it’s parvo. This highly contagious viral disease tears through a dog’s digestive system, causing severe vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, and severe abdominal pain. Puppies are especially vulnerable. The virus is so tough it can survive in the environment for months, lurking in soil and on surfaces. Dogs can literally pick it up from a contaminated park or sidewalk.

Canine Hepatitis (Adenovirus)

This disease targets the liver and kidneys, causing serious organ damage. It spreads through the urine or faeces of affected dogs. Symptoms can include fever, abdominal pain, and lethargy. Thankfully, it’s part of the standard DHPP combination vaccine, so your dog gets protected against it along with distemper and parvovirus.

2. Non-Core Vaccines Based on Your Dog’s Lifestyle

Now let’s talk about vaccines that aren’t necessary for every dog, but might be crucial for yours depending on how and where they live.

Bordetella Bronchiseptica (Canine Cough)

Ever heard a dog with kennel cough? It’s a distinctive dry hacking cough that sounds awful and feels worse for your dog. Bordetella is the main culprit behind canine cough syndrome. This vaccine is highly recommended for dogs who visit dog parks, boarding facilities, grooming salons, or doggy daycare. In fact, most of these places require it. If your dog is social and gets out and about, this vaccine is a smart choice.

Canine Parainfluenza Virus

This is another contributor to canine cough. It often comes combined with Bordetella for complete respiratory protection. If your dog spends time around other dogs in any setting, this vaccine helps protect against respiratory infections.

Leptospirosis

Lepto is a bacterial infection spread through contaminated water, soil, and wildlife urine. Your dog can pick it up from a puddle, a stream, or even your own backyard if wildlife passes through. The disease damages the kidneys and liver, and here’s the kicker – it can be transmitted to humans. If you live in an area with wildlife, standing water, or if your dog loves exploring outdoors, talk to your veterinarian about this vaccine.

Lyme Disease

If you live in a tick-prone area or travel with your dog to places where ticks are common, Lyme disease vaccination is worth considering. This tick-borne illness causes painful joint inflammation and can lead to serious organ complications. Prevention is much easier than treatment.

At Keysborough Veterinary Practice, we assess your dog’s individual risk factors and lifestyle to recommend exactly which vaccines your dog needs. No more, no less.

Vaccination Schedules

Getting the timing right makes all the difference. Vaccinate too early, and maternal antibodies might block the vaccine. Wait too long, and your dog stays vulnerable to disease.

1. Puppy Vaccination Timeline

Your puppy’s immune system is still developing. They’re born with some protection from their mother, but that fades over the first few months. That’s why puppies need a series of vaccinations.

Here’s what to expect for your puppy’s vaccination schedule:

• 6 to 8 weeks of age: First DHPP vaccine (protects against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza)
• 10-12 weeks: Second booster dose to strengthen immunity
• 14-16 weeks: Final puppy booster plus rabies vaccine
• Every 3-4 weeks: Your puppy comes back for each booster until the series is complete

Why so many visits? As those maternal antibodies decrease, we need to keep stimulating your puppy’s immune system. Each booster strengthens immunity and fills any gaps in protection. By 16 weeks, most puppies have developed solid, lasting immunity.

2. Adult Dogs Vaccination Requirements

Once your dog completes their puppy series, they transition to adult booster vaccinations. Here’s what your adult dog needs:

• Annual boosters: Some vaccines require yearly updates to maintain protection
• Triennial boosters: Core vaccines like rabies may need a booster every three years, depending on vaccine type and local laws
• Lifestyle-based vaccines: Non-core vaccines get updated based on your dog’s continued exposure risk and activity level
• Consistent monitoring: Regular vet visits ensure your dog stays on schedule

3. Senior and Older Dogs

Here’s a common mistake – people think older dogs don’t need vaccination anymore. Wrong. Immunity can actually wane over time, and senior dogs may have weakened immune systems that make them more vulnerable to infectious diseases. Your older dog still needs protection.

What to consider for senior dogs:

• Continued immunity needs: Protection doesn’t become less important with age
• Adjusted schedules: Vaccination timing may be modified based on health status
• Health assessments: Your vet evaluates individual needs at each visit
• No skipping allowed: Missing vaccines entirely leaves your senior dog at serious risk

Keysborough Veterinary Practice maintains detailed vaccination records for all our patients. We’ll send you reminders when your dog’s boosters are due, so your dog stays current on all necessary immunisations without you having to keep track.

What to Expect: Side Effects and Safety

Let’s talk about what’s normal after vaccination and what requires a call to your vet.

1. Normal Side Effects

Most dogs sail through vaccination with minimal reactions. Here’s what’s completely normal:

• Mild soreness at the injection site: Lasts 24-48 hours, similar to how your arm feels sore after a vaccine
• Temporary tiredness: Some dogs get a bit sleepy or have reduced appetite for a day
• Low-grade fever: Your dog’s immune system is revving up to build protection
• Slight swelling: May appear at the injection site but goes down within a few days

All of these signs are actually good – they mean your dog’s immune system is building protection.

2. When to Contact Your Vet

Most reactions are mild and expected. But some signs need immediate veterinary attention. Call Keysborough Veterinary Practice right away if you notice:

• Facial swelling or hives: Developing within hours of vaccination
• Difficulty breathing: Or excessive drooling – these are emergency signs
• Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea: Lasting beyond 24 hours isn’t normal
• Collapse or extreme weakness: Requires immediate care
• Seizures or neurological changes: Any unusual behaviour affecting coordination or consciousness

That said, don’t panic. Serious reactions are extremely rare. We’ve vaccinated thousands of dogs, and severe reactions are the exception, not the rule. Still, it’s important to know what to watch for and to contact us if you’re concerned.

What Next?

Don’t wait to protect your beloved companion. Schedule your dog’s vaccination appointment at Keysborough Veterinary Practice today. Call us or visit our clinic to discuss how we can help keep your dog protected against common diseases through proper vaccination. Your dog’s health and happiness depend on the preventive care decisions you make today.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should puppies get their first vaccination?
Puppies get their first vaccine at 6 weeks of age, then need a booster every 3-4 weeks until around 16 weeks old. This timing ensures optimal immunity as maternal antibodies decrease.

Can unvaccinated dogs spread disease to vaccinated ones?
Yes, unvaccinated dogs pose risks by harbouring highly contagious diseases. While vaccination provides strong protection, no vaccine is 100% effective, especially if immunity has waned or your dog has a compromised immune system.

How long does immunity from vaccination last?
Core vaccine immunity typically lasts 1-3 years, depending on the specific vaccine. Your dog needs regular booster vaccinations to maintain protection throughout their life.

Are there dogs that shouldn’t be vaccinated?
Dogs may need modified schedules if they’re severely ill, pregnant, or have certain immune conditions. Your veterinarian will assess timing and appropriateness based on your dog’s specific health situation.

What happens if my dog misses a booster vaccination?
Contact Keysborough Veterinary Practice immediately. Dogs may need to restart the vaccination series depending on how long it’s been since their last dose to ensure adequate protection.

Can my dog get sick from diseases they’re vaccinated against?
Vaccination significantly reduces risk but doesn’t guarantee 100% protection. However, vaccinated dogs that do contract disease typically experience much milder symptoms and better outcomes than unvaccinated dogs.

Do indoor dogs really need vaccination against highly contagious diseases?
Absolutely. Viruses like parvovirus survive on surfaces and get carried indoors on shoes or clothing. Rabies vaccination is legally mandated everywhere. Indoor lifestyle doesn’t eliminate risk, making vaccination essential for every pet.

Looks like we’re in for a hot summer, and while its important to keep our pets (and ourselves) cool and hydrated, wildlife struggle in the heat too.

Placing a shallow dish of fresh water helps our native wildlife survive heat waves. Here are some tips to make that water as accessible as possible.

• Use a broad, shallow dish, tray or bird bath
• Place it in shade or in a sheltered position near plants to help wildlife feel more secure.
• Use branches, twigs or river stones to provide a means for small animals and insects to climb out of the water and prevent drowning.

There are a thousand other things to do at this busy time of year, but one of those things should be to organise your pet’s long term medication!

While we at Keysborough Veterinary Practice only close on the public holidays, our medication wholesalers will close for a couple of days, and posted medication is often delayed at this busy time of year.

So now is a great time to ensure you have enough stock of any critical medications before the public holidays, or any travel you’ll be enjoying at this time of year.

Cats are creatures of habit and comfort. While many don’t appreciate the journey to the vet clinic, there are several things we can do to make the visit less stressful for them, and also less stressful for you.

The type of cat carrier you use can change how secure your cat feels during transport. Most cats love boxes, and some will also learn to love their cat carrier! The best type of carrier is a sturdy, hard carrier which can be opened both at one side (to allow the cat to walk in or out) and from the top (to allow lifting out). This is generally preferred to soft, cloth carriers which collapse easily. It is important that cats be contained within a cat carrier while coming to Keysborough Veterinary Practice as it is both safer for them in the car (they are unable to cause an accident and would be more protected in the event of an accident), prevents escapes from the car park as we are situated on a major road, and will make them feel more secure if there are dogs around.

While in our waiting room, minimising your cat’s exposure to loud or curious dogs will reduce stress. If the waiting room is crowded we may offer to ‘hide’ your cat behind the front desk, out of sight of those dogs, or in an unoccupied consult room where it is quieter. Please also avoid placing your cat’s carrier directly in front of the heater, as cats may overheat.

In the consult room, the staff at Keysborough Veterinary Practice will often open the carrier door and invite the cat to walk out on its own. This is much less jarring than lifting the carrier up and shaking the poor cat out, so please refrain from doing this. Many cats just need a few minutes to think about where they are, or many will prefer to be lifted out of their carrier rather than shaken.

During the exam, we use Feliway pheromone diffusers to make the room smell more familiar and make your cat more relaxed. Feliway can also be used at home or inside the cat carrier for cats prone to stress. We use a soft covering on our exam tables and will sometimes cover anxious cats in towels so they feel hidden and more secure.

Some cats will happily consume tasty treats in the consult room, and we’re quite happy to offer them! But we wont be upset if your cat doesn’t feel like eating for us.

Many cats will benefit from being desensitised to the cat carrier long before their vet visit. This involves leaving the cat carrier open somewhere accessible where the cat can view it easily and ‘get bored’ of its presence. This might be under a coffee table, or in the hallway. Once the cat is accustomed to the carrier always being present, you can place treats around or inside the carrier to encourage a positive association. Some cats will even nap in their carriers!

Think about it from the cat’s point of view. If a strange box only appeared out of the dusty garage, full of dirt and spider webs, immediately before being thrown into it in order to be carried through a loud car to a strange place with uncomfortable surroundings and a dog, only to be shaken out of that box onto a cold table… you wouldn’t be thrilled about it either!

For cats that are extremely stressed about their vet visits, sometimes we will prescribe medication to have at home and take the edge off before they come in. If you think this may benefit your cat, please call us to discuss how we can facilitate a low-stress vet visit for your feline friend.

Your pet deserves a special day every year.

WHAT HAPPENS AT AN ANNUAL HEALTH CHECK?

We all know how important staying healthy is to a long and satisfying life – for both the two-legged and four-legged members of the family.

But our furry family members age differently to humans, so it’s even more important for them to have a check-up every year. Once a year for a dog or cat is the same as once every five years or so for us!

A quick visit to the vet on one special day each year will help make sure your pet will still be around for many more days to come.

So when you get your next reminder, don’t put it off. Make an appointment to give your pet the special day he or she deserves each year.
Your vet will:

• Check for early signs of disease
• Make sure teeth, skin, eyes and ears are healthy
• Update life-saving vaccinations
• Keep an eye out for problems as your pet gets older

DOESN’T MY PET NEED TO HAVE VACCINATIONS EACH YEAR AS WELL?

Some pets will need to have a vaccination each year. However, we’re learning more all the time about treating our furry friends, and the latest research shows that some older pets may only need to be vaccinated against certain diseases every three years to be protected. Your vet will talk to you about what’s best for your individual pet.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Annual health checks are usually quite quick and inexpensive. You should ask for a cost estimate when you call to make the appointment. If you have pet insurance, your policy will probably cover some of the cost. If your vet finds a problem with your pet’s health, the visit might become more expensive. But finding problems early will save time and money in the long run, and it might even save your pet’s life.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO DO TO KEEP MY PET HAPPY AND HEALTHY?

As well as an annual check up, there are just a few basic things you need to do to make sure your cat or dog stays well.

• Feed them a balanced diet
• Make sure they get plenty of exercises
• If you’re not around to keep them company, make sure there are lots of things to play with to stop them from getting bored
• Give them lots of love and affection

“My dog ate Rat Poison a few hours ago but he seems fine…”

We commonly receive phone calls from well-meaning pet owners with dogs or cats that had eaten rat poison a few hours earlier, or even the night before. Sometimes we’re not told for days or weeks after the pet has eaten rat bait, and unfortunately sometimes by then it’s too late.

Rat Bait ingestion is always serious, but often doesn’t cause clinical signs straight away. This is because it stops clotting factors from being produced, and symptoms do not appear until those clotting factors are depleted. This results in pets eating rat bait, that initially appear fine. Unfortunately by the time symptoms are present, such as spontaneous severe bleeding, treatment is more difficult and costly.

Pets that are actively bleeding may require blood or plasma transfusions, and several weeks of antidote administration until the rat bait is excreted from their system. Some pets will also require a stay in intensive care.

The best course of action if your pet has eaten rat bait is to present them to a vet clinic as soon as possible. A vet can induce vomiting and commence decontamination if indicated. If presented immediately after ingestion, some pets will not need ongoing medication.

If you suspect your pet has eaten something poisonous, it is ALWAYS best to present them to a vet clinic for treatment, even if you are unsure.

There is no such thing as a completely ‘pet safe’ rat bait. If pets wont eat it, neither will the rats.

It’s grass seed season!
Some of you may already know the dangers of grass seeds with your pets, but for those who don’t please stay tuned.

Grass seeds commonly get caught in dog’s feet or on the sides of their abdomen if they’ve been lying in the grass. More often that not, we don’t notice the grass seeds in the animal’s fur until they’ve migrated into the skin and create an abscess or the animal starts limping.

If the seed is in the paw, they may be visibly red and swollen;the pet may also be licking the foot as it is quite painful. If your dog is limping, read our guide on common causes of limping in dogs.
In most cases, the grass seeds have to be surgically removed, and they’re quite hard to find; sometimes they will even take multiple attempts to find.
You can see the migration in the video below, posted by Walkerville Vet.

We also have some photos below of grass seeds that have been removed from inside the paws of dogs in the past at our practice.