The Complete Pet Health Checklist —
What Your Vet Wishes You Already Knew

Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza. Given as a series of 3–4 shots starting at 6 weeks. Missing a dose resets protection — timing matters more than most owners realize.

Legally required in most US states. First dose at 16 weeks, booster at 1 year, then every 1–3 years depending on vaccine type and local law.

Over 85% of puppies carry intestinal parasites from their mother. A fecal float identifies roundworms, hookworms, giardia, and coccidia — all treatable, all invisible to the naked eye.

Heartworm is transmitted by a single mosquito bite. Prevention costs ~$8/month. Treatment costs $1,000–$1,500 and requires 6 weeks of strict crate rest.

A permanent 15-digit ISO chip the size of a grain of rice. 1 in 3 pets will go missing in their lifetime — microchipped pets are reunited at 2.5x the rate of non-chipped pets.

Optimal timing varies by breed and size. Large breeds benefit from waiting until 12–18 months for joint health. Small breeds can safely be altered at 6 months.

Puppies lose all 28 baby teeth by 6 months. Adult teeth should be fully erupted and properly aligned. Retained deciduous teeth are the #1 missed puppy finding.

The socialization window closes at 14 weeks. Exposure to 100 novel stimuli (people, sounds, surfaces) during this period predicts adult temperament better than any other single factor.

Dogs and cats age 5–7x faster than humans. An annual exam is equivalent to you seeing a doctor every 5–7 years. Biannual exams are recommended for breeds with known predispositions.

Titer testing can determine if immunity is still adequate before automatically re-vaccinating. Ask your vet about titer options if your pet reacted to previous vaccines.

By age 3, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some form of periodontal disease. Bacteria from dental disease directly enters the bloodstream and damages kidneys, heart valves, and liver.

Required before refilling prevention in most protocols. A positive test on prevention is rare but possible — early detection allows treatment before cardiac damage occurs.

Ticks are active above 35°F. Fleas survive year-round indoors. A single flea lays 50 eggs per day — an infestation takes 3 months to fully clear even with perfect treatment.

54% of US dogs and 59% of cats are overweight or obese. Even 10–15% excess weight increases risk of arthritis, diabetes, and cancer. You should feel ribs without pressing hard.

Sudden changes in water intake, appetite, elimination habits, or activity level are the four earliest signs of systemic disease. Note dates — vets rely on your timeline.

Includes CBC, comprehensive metabolic panel, thyroid (T4), and urinalysis. Kidney disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism are largely asymptomatic until 75% of organ function is lost — bloodwork catches them earlier.

Hypertension is silent in cats and dogs. It causes sudden blindness (retinal detachment), neurological signs, and worsens kidney disease. Takes 2 minutes to measure and is often missed in standard exams.

SDMA detects kidney dysfunction 17 months earlier than traditional creatinine. Early detection allows dietary modification that can extend quality life by 2–4 years.

Cats especially hide pain. Signs: reluctance to jump, missing the litter box, reduced grooming of hindquarters, grumpiness when touched. Pain scoring tools exist — ask your vet to use one.

Senior pets often require pre-anesthetic bloodwork before dental cleanings. The risk of untreated dental disease (systemic infection, organ damage) typically outweighs the anesthetic risk in healthy seniors.

Canine and feline cognitive dysfunction (equivalent to dementia) affects 28% of dogs aged 11–12 and 68% of dogs aged 15–16. Early dietary and environmental interventions slow progression.

Gradual weight loss in senior cats is the single most reliable early indicator of hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease, or cancer. A 1-lb loss in a 10-lb cat is a 10% body weight change — clinically significant.