What should be included in my dog's annual vet check-up or exam?

Question

What would you say is a good check up on a dog that vets should do? For example, last december my dog had an appointment and the vet checked his eyes/ears/fur/weight but not his heartbeat and his temperature. This month he had some vaccines and the vet (at the same place, just a different vet this time) checked his temperature and heartbeat but nothing else? Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered

Anna M., DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello, and thanks for your question. Each exam will be slightly tailored to the purpose of that day's visit, and sometimes I will slightly modify an exam based on what has or has not been recently checked. Furthermore, your vet is probably doing much of the exam while you're talking. I'm sure when I do my appointments, it may often look like I'm simply petting the dog - when I am feeling lymph nodes, palpating abdomen, looking at eyes/ears/teeth, etc. So, of course I wasn't there and cannot speak for your vets, but I would suspect that there was more of an exam happening than was perhaps made clear! In a perfect world, every visit would involve checking every body system in every way possible. But, with time limitations and specific concerns that may need to be discussed, some visits will likely involve going more into depth with one body system or another. Hope this helps!

What should be included in my dog's annual vet check-up or exam?

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