Even if you keep a close eye on your dog's health, an annual visit to the vet for a thorough check up means extra peace of mind. Apart from helping identify any newly emerging problems before they become serious, regular health assessments will give you the chance to keep your dog's vaccinations up-to-date, and find out more about any issues that may be worrying you.

Well dog visits
'Well dog' visits are critical for detecting subtle changes in your pet's physical health. Ideally, dogs should be seen at least once every year, or more frequently if they are elderly or have special medical needs. Regular visits to the vet play a huge part in the 'prevention is better than cure' approach, so don't just wait until it's obvious your dog needs medical attention.

Vaccinations
A regular visit to your local veterinary surgery will provide the perfect opportunity to make sure your dog's vaccinations are up-to-date. Annual vaccinations should include distemper, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. Ask your vet for current recommendations about vaccines against Bordatella ('kennel cough'), which may be important if you plan to travel with your dog or put your dog in a boarding kennel.

Behaviour
Take the opportunity at your dog's annual assessment to discuss unusual behaviour. Whether that takes the form of excessive barking, biting or destroying shoes in your absence, misbehaviour can usually be controlled if caught in the early stages.

Fleas, ticks and worms
Another subject you should discuss with your vet is the control of fleas and ticks. Remember that fleas, or at least their larvae, can live year-round in your home and garden. Vets can also provide help in identifying tapeworm and advising on the best course of action to eliminate it.

Dental care
Your vet will also have a good look at your dog's teeth to determine whether or not dental cleaning is required and, if so, when. This is also a good time to evaluate your at-home dental care program with your vet.

Senior dogs
If your dog is getting older, you can talk about any special needs with your vet. Just like people, senior dogs may suffer from various organ system problems, osteoarthritis, loss of vision or hearing, and even memory loss or dementia. Luckily, many problems can be successfully controlled with medication or simple changes to their lifestyle.