How often should I take my Frenchie to the vet?
Are vet visits necessary if my Frenchie looks healthy?
Vet visits may seem draining in time and money, but they can help ensure your furry companion’s long, healthy life.
Stay with us and find the importance of regular check-ups.
Do I need to take my Frenchie to the vet?
Absolutely. Routine check-ups are essential as they show your canine’s general health condition.
Through vet visits, you can obtain vital information to guide you in decisions about their diet and medications and track your Frenchie’s growth and development. You will be able to know if something goes wrong.
When to take Frenchies to the vet
It depends on Frenchie’s life stage and health condition. Puppies and senior Frenchies may need more frequent vet visits. However, a healthy adult Frenchie will be fine with the annual check-up.
Annual wellness exam
Generally, every Frenchie should receive a complete physical examination at least once yearly. You can consider this regular maintenance for your Frenchie.
The annual wellness exams are crucial as they allow you to monitor your Frenchie’s growth and development while discussing any issues with your veterinarian. These exams form a vital aspect of preventive care.
Preventive care is simply a general term referring to everything you do for your Frenchie’s health. It includes proper feeding, adequate exercise, and regular vet visits.
The rationale is that by getting your furbaby checked regularly, you will make informed decisions that will enhance your health. Better still, you’ll also learn about illnesses and problems early on, which is crucial for successful treatment.
So what’s an annual vet exam?
The vet will give your Frenchie a comprehensive whole-body check-up during annual wellness checks. It will involve examining their heart, lungs, ears, and eyes for fleas and other common ailments.
They’ll also keep you updated on any vaccines your pup might require. Following the examination, the vet may also recommend nutrition, dental care, activities, and drugs according to your Frenchie’s health status.
Puppy Vet Visits (Birth – 1 year)
Once you adopt a new puppy, you must get familiar with a veterinarian. Ensuring your puppy gets monthly wellness examinations early in life is essential.
It will require you to follow a standard vaccine regimen every 3-4 weeks until they reach 16 weeks of age.
Basic vaccination schedule for puppies.
Here is what a standard vaccination schedule for young puppies looks like:
- Between 6-8 weeks: First injection for DHLPP. It’s a combined vaccine for distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, parvo, and corona. They are given in a series over a puppy’s first year.
- Between 10-12 weeks: The second dose of the DHLPP and Leptospirosis shot.
- Between 14-16 weeks: The third dose of DHLPPC
- From 16 weeks and older: Rabies vaccine
Once you complete the immunization program, you may not need to return until your puppy is spayed or neutered, which usually happens anywhere from six months to over a year.
Read the comprehensive vaccine review from AKC (1)
Adult Frenchie Vet Visits (1-7 years)
Most Frenchies are considered adults aged between 1-10 years. A yearly check is recommended at this stage.
During these annual check-up visits, the vet will give your Frenchie a thorough whole-body examination. Dental check-ups and vaccination updates are also included.
Additionally, the vet will take a sample of your Frenchie’s blood to check out the existence of heartworms. They’ll also enquire about its behavior, training, and overall health during these visits.
The vet may also suggest additional tests if you have any concerns or if they notice anything strange during the exam.
Senior Frenchie Vet Visits (8+ years)
Since older Frenchies have more specific health requirements and are prone to age-related conditions and injuries, We recommend regular vet visits for approximately six months.
Along with a thorough physical examination, your vet may suggest various diagnostic tests, including blood, urine, and fecal tests.
These tests are essential as they assist your vet in determining your Frenchie’s health and establish a reference point against which you can compare subsequent tests. It will be easier for the vet to go back and examine what normal looks like for your Frenchie if it gets an ailment later on.
Depending on your Frenchie’s health status, your vet may recommend more regular visits as they age. It will allow the veterinarian to detect changes sooner and promptly manage any problems as they emerge.
When to go to the vet right away
Although the half-year and the yearly vet visits may be all your Frenchie requires, it’s essential to be aware of what to look out for in emergencies. It will help respond swiftly to these situations.
If your Frenchie exhibits any or a combination of these symptoms, visit your vet right away:
- Has difficulty breathing or has stopped breathing altogether.
- Is having seizures
- Is unconscious and won’t wake up
- He seems to have broken bones
- He appears to have extreme pains, such as being antisocial, trembling, or whining.
- Has consumed anything poisonous, including human prescriptions, antifreeze, or some human foods like chocolate, grapes, and chewing gum
- Has been knocked by a vehicle or hit by a blunt object falling more than a few feet
- Suddenly collapses or is unable to stand
- Has pale gums
- Has been vomiting or has diarrhea for more than 24 hours or is vomiting blood.
- Has a hard, distended stomach
- Seems disoriented
What happens when my Frenchie visits the vet?
A physical examination involving the Frenchie’s whole body, from head to tail, is the most crucial thing during a vet visit.
This exam helps the veterinarian determine if and what extra testing is necessary to keep track of your Frenchie’s health.
Blood work, looking out for the presence of parasites, and administering any vaccines due at the time carried out.
The vet also evaluates the weight and the general health of your Frenchie’s ears, eyes, teeth, tummy, heart rate, and coat. They also discuss any health and behavioral issues.
How much do vet visits cost?
The cost of vet visits is dependent on your location. However, the following are the typical prices as indicated by the American Kennel Club (2):
Puppies
| Vet Visit | Cost |
| Annual physical examination: | $58 |
| Flea and tick prevention: | $190 |
| Heartworm test and prevention: | $127 |
| Vaccinations: | $268 |
| Spay/ Neuter: | $175 |
| Fecal test: | $60 |
| Dental cleaning, if needed: | $125 |
| Total cost | $1,003 |
Adults
Various factors dictate the cost of adult Frenchies. As such, the American Kennel Club puts the annual cost of routine checks at an average of $700-$1500. It includes a physical examination, required lab tests, immunizations, and dental care.
Senior
It depends on the health status of the Frenchie. However, the cost is usually between $500-$4000 annually.
5 Tips on How do you negotiate a vet bill?
Vet bills can escalate and put a strain on your pockets. These tips may help in negotiating a vet bill:
Put yourself in the vet’s shoes.
The biggest trick in any negotiation is putting yourself in the other person’s position and understanding things from their point of view.
Recognize that they treat you differently.
Let them know you appreciate and understand their sacrifice and what they do for you.
Appreciate the staff
Make the vet’s staff aware that you value their contribution to the service you received.
Show your ability to pay
Express and show your commitment to paying the bill in full. You can offer something valuable as security for payment or give something in exchange.
Build and maintain a good relationship.
It’s essential to nurture your relationship with your vet at all times. With a good relationship, you can pull through hard times easily.
How often should pets see the vet for checkups and vaccines?
Before six months, Puppies must visit a vet once every 3-4 weeks for immunization, adult Frenchies once a year, and senior Frenchies every six months.
Is it bad not to take your Frenchie to the vet?
Yes, This is because if your Frenchie develops an issue or illness, it won’t be detected early enough, causing a delay in treatment which may make it worse and cause death.
Should I take my Frenchie to the vet every month?
Not necessarily unless it’s a puppy and yet to complete the vaccination schedule or if your Frenchie has health issues. Otherwise, a healthy adult Frenchie needs only an annual vet visit.
Can a vet keep my Frenchie for non-payment?
Although the vet has a right to retain your Frenchie for failure to pay, it may not be in Frenchie’s best interest, plus they may incur extra unrecoverable costs.
What happens if you can’t afford a vet bill?
If you receive a bill, you can’t afford to pay. You can try negotiating with your vet for a reduction. If you can’t agree, you may take your account to collections.
What if my Frenchie hates walking through the vet’s doors?
You should make the visits as delightful for your Frenchie as possible. If it’s food-motivated, you can schedule the visits when the Frenchie is hungry and use treats to motivate it.
Final Thoughts
Taking your furry companion for vet visits is vital for its general wellness. Faithfully getting your Frenchie for his scheduled vet visits will help detect any arising health issues at the onset enabling prompt action.
As a parent, you know your Frenchie best. Besides the scheduled visits, ensure you take your Frenchie to a vet if you notice any sudden behavioral changes. Remember, how often you take your canine for check-ups depends on your age and health condition.
So, schedule your Frenchie’s routine examinations, which are crucial for a happy, healthy, and disease-free life. Read more about this in this article (3) from experts.
Happy parenting!