Your dog is like a member of your family, so you'll want to ensure that your dog receives the best care possible for optimal health. One of the best ways to protect your canine's health is by scheduling appointments with a qualified veterinarian who offers a variety of veterinary dog care services. 

Disease Prevention

You can keep your dog disease-free by getting the preventative care that veterinarians provide. You may not realize how susceptible your dog is to certain health conditions that could develop because of your dog's specific breed or certain lifestyle factors.

Immunizations have been created to try to keep dogs healthy and prevent premature deaths, and scheduling vaccines for your dog at the recommended times can benefit your dog's well-being. All dogs should start receiving their vaccines while they're still puppies, but you can still schedule immunizations if your dog is older and hasn't yet received any shots. Vaccines for dogs are available to prevent health problems, such as:

• Rabies
• Bordetella
• Lyme disease
• Canine influenza

Another important immunization is a vaccine known as DAP. This vaccine is designed to prevent distemper, adenovirus/hepatitis, and parvovirus and can save your dog from having to get separate immunizations for these conditions.

Diagnosis of Different Conditions

Dogs are prone to developing certain health problems, and some conditions are also congenital and inherited at birth. Even if your dog isn't showing signs of any ailments or injuries, you should still schedule veterinarian appointments for periodic examinations. If your dog is diagnosed with a health issue, steps can be taken to treat the condition and stop it from impacting your dog's health any further. Your dog's veterinarian may use different testing methods, such as:

• Blood tests
• X-rays
• CT scans
• MRIs

Illness and Injury Treatment

If your dog does get sick or injured, you can rest assured that a veterinarian will be able to offer the dog care services that can help get your pet back to normal. If your dog needs medicine to treat a condition, the veterinarian can write any necessary prescriptions or recommend different medications that are readily available in stores. You can also visit the vet if your dog has suffered a broken bone and needs a cast or has a serious medical condition that requires surgery to treat.

Dog care is something that shouldn't be overlooked, and your pet can live a happier and healthier life if you schedule the proper veterinary services. Your dog's veterinarian can also offer additional dog care tips that may benefit your dog through each phase of life. 

For more info, contact a local center like Murrells Inlet Veterinary Hospital.