If you’ve just recently adopted a German Shepherd Dog (GSD), one of the most important questions you’ll need to ask yourself is this: “How often should I take my German Shepherd to the vet?”. A lot of dog owners only take their pups to the vet once a year and some only do so in severe cases. But is this enough? How often do you really need to visit the vet?
For healthy German Shepherd pups, they’ll need to visit the vet from 5 – 10 times during their first year. After that, they’ll need an annual wellness checkup. And when your German Shepherd grows older, he’ll need to visit the vet at least twice a year. The number of times your German Shepherd needs to visit the vet depends primarily his age and general health.
We’ll go over when to take your German Shepherd Dog to the Vet, and what’s expected during each visit, depending on their age.
Puppy German Shepherds: From Birth To 1 Year Old
Whether you’ve bought or adopted your German Shepherd Dog, you’ll need to visit the vet with your pup within a few days of bringing him home.
During the visit, the veterinarian will do an overall wellness health check to ensure your pup is healthy. The vet may give him several vaccinations to keep him and your family as safe as possible.
If your pup had shots before him joining your family, your vet may reschedule the shots, which could be anywhere from one to three weeks.
Just like any other dog, German Shepherds require a total of five core vaccines and five noncore vaccines throughout their lifetime. Commonly, these shots are given within the first sixteen weeks of their life.
Core vaccines are mandatory and are required by law to be given to all dogs. Other than boosting and maintaining a dog’s immunity, these vaccines prevent highly contagious diseases that often lead to death. Some of which include:
On the other hand, noncore vaccines aren’t mandatory. They’re only given depending on your dog’s lifestyle and geographical location. Diseases involved usually are easily treatable and often resolve on their own.
Some examples include:
- Canine Parainfluenza Virus (CPIV)
- Canine Influenza Virus
- Bordetella Bronchiseptica
- Lyme Disease
- Leptospirosis
The vaccination schedule solely depends on your veterinarian. As per the American Animal Hospital Association vaccination guideline, it typically looks a lot like this:
6-8 Weeks
- Core shots for Parainfluenza and Distemper
- Noncore shots for Bordetella
9 to 12 Weeks
- Core shots for Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus
- Noncore shots for Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease
12 to 24 Weeks
- Core shot for rabies
14 to 16 Weeks
- A second round of core shots for DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
12 to 16 Months
- A second round of shots for rabies, and a third-round of DHPP
Although puppy vet visits seem like a significant investment of both time and money, it’ll keep your pup from dangerous diseases in the long run.
Adult German Shepherds: 1 To 7 Years Old
After the initial shots as a pup, your German Shepherd will then require annual wellness exams. All dogs need to complete a physical check-up at least once per year to track their growth and development.
With this, you’ll be able to make well-informed choices and decisions that’ll benefit your dog’s health.
During a wellness exam, your vet will perform a full-body check-up on your German Shepherd. This includes:
- Listening to his heart and lungs
- Checking his eyesight and hearing
- Checking for ticks, fleas, etc.
- Heartworm tests
- Dental exams
Your German Shepherd will receive his fourth and final shot of DHPP, and any other vaccinations needed within the annual period as well. Rabies booster shots are usually taken every three years following the first one. It all depends on your state’s law how often your dog will get rabies boosters.
Senior German Shepherds: 7+ Years Old
Older German Shepherds are more prone to illness and age-related injuries. For this reason, it’s recommended for senior dogs to visit the vet semi-annually.
Including the standard wellness check, your vet may recommend a few other diagnostic tests. This may include the following:
- Blood and fecal tests
- Blood pressure test
- Chests radiographs
- Ultrasounds
- Thyroid hormone levels
These tests help your vet assess the overall health of your dog. If he develops any kind of illness, the vet will be able to check your dog’s previous files and see what “normal” looks like for him, and inform you of any treatment if needed.
It’s important to keep in mind that as your dog gets older, he’ll need to visit the vet more often. Doing so will allow your vet to immediately treat your dog if any issues arise.
Signs You Should Take Your German Shepherd To The Vet Immediately
It’s crucial to act quickly if your German Shepherd is showing worrying symptoms. If these occur, it’s recommended to go straight to the animal ER to get him checked:
- Vomiting or experiencing diarrhea for more than 24 hours
- Swollen, hard abdomen
- Ingested something toxic (eg, antifreeze, rat poison, or household cleaners)
- Difficulty breathing or is breathing rapidly
- Showing signs of pain (whining, shaking, or refusing to eat and socialize)
- Pale gums
- Drinking a lot or too little
- Lack of energy or lethargy for an extended duration of time
- Irritated, weeping, or red eyes
- Aggressive or unusual behavior
You know your dog best. If your German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is showing any of these signs or behaviors, don’t hesitate to contact or visit your local vet for advice.
What To Do Before, During And After A Visit To The Vet
To ensure your vet visit is a success, we’ve gathered a few of our favorite tips to follow before, during and after a visit to your vet.
Before An Appointment
Before you take your pup in for an appointment, you’ll need to take a few items with you.
Notes and Documents:
- Adoption papers from the pet shelter and past medical records
- A list of medication your dog takes (if any)
- The food your dog eats daily
- His drinking and eating habits
- His toilet habits
- A list of all the questions you’d like to ask your vet
Other Items to Bring:
- Your dog’s favorite toys and blanket
- Treats to reward good behavior
- Leash, collar, or harness
- Dog carrier if needed
- A fresh stool sample if required by your vet
During An Appointment
- Arrive a few minutes earlier than your appointment, so you have time to fill out any documents before taking him in for a check
- Keep your dog in a leash nearby
- If your dog doesn’t get along well with other animals, it’s best to place your puppy inside a crate to limit his interaction with other animals
- Talk to your dog in a calm, cooing voice to make him less nervous
- Don’t be afraid to take notes and ask your vet as many pet-related questions you want
After An Appointment
- Follow all the instructions and prescriptions given to you by your vet
- If needed, schedule a follow up for your vet
- At any time, don’t hesitate to call and ask if you’re worried about anything related to your pet
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the number of times your German Shepherd needs to visit the vet depends on several factors; primarily his age and well-being.
For healthy German Shepherd pups, they’ll need to visit the vet from 5 – 10 times during his first year. After that, he’ll need an annual wellness checkup. And when your German Shepherd grows older, he’ll need to visit the vet at least twice a year.
At the end of the day, you know your dog best. Make sure to make an appointment whenever you feel that your pup is in pain or experiencing concerning symptoms related to his health.