Why preventive care matters
- Dogs and cats hide pain and illness; by the time you notice, a disease is often in its middle or late stage.
- Kidney disease, heart disease, periodontal disease, diabetes and obesity can all be controlled with simple measures when caught early.
- A yearly check usually costs a small fraction of one emergency admission.
Young pets (0 to 1 year)
| Item | When |
|---|---|
| Core vaccines | Dogs from 6 to 8 weeks, every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks; cats from 8 weeks, again at 12 and 16 weeks |
| Rabies vaccine, microchip, dog licence | Dogs before 5 months of age (Hong Kong law) |
| Deworming | Monthly until 6 months |
| Flea, tick and heartworm prevention | Monthly from 8 weeks, all year round |
| DNA test | Any time; the earlier the better |
| Neutering | Cats and small to medium dogs at 5 to 6 months; large breeds may wait until 12 to 18 months |
| Socialisation and training | Gradual exposure once vaccines are complete |
Adults (dogs 1 to 7 years; cats 1 to 10 years)
- Yearly examination: weight, teeth, heart and lung auscultation, skin and joints, plus a review of vaccines and parasite prevention.
- Vaccine boosters: yearly or every three years according to each vaccine's guidelines.
- Parasite prevention: monthly flea, tick and heartworm prevention, deworming every three months, and a yearly heartworm test for dogs.
- Dental care: a yearly assessment, scaling when tartar builds up, and daily brushing as the most effective prevention.
- Weight control: weigh at every visit; obesity is the biggest risk factor for arthritis and diabetes.
- Baseline blood test: one blood panel in early adulthood gives a reference for later changes.
Seniors (dogs from 7; cats from 10)
- A check every six months, adding blood tests, urine tests and blood pressure.
- Kidneys: watch water intake and urine volume, especially in cats; early kidney disease may not show on blood tests alone, so urine tests and SDMA are more sensitive.
- Heart: arrange an ultrasound if there is a murmur, coughing, exercise intolerance or a DNA report showing cardiac risk.
- Joints: slow to rise, reluctant to jump or stiff gait call for early pain relief and joint support to keep mobility.
- Lumps: every new lump gets a needle aspirate; do not wait for it to disappear.
- Cognition and behaviour: night-time restlessness, disorientation or changed toilet habits may signal cognitive decline or pain.
Prevention you can do every day
- Measure meals and keep treats under ten percent of daily calories.
- Brush teeth daily, or at least three times a week.
- Run your hands over the whole body weekly to check for lumps, ticks and skin changes.
- Keep up exercise and mental stimulation; cats need climbing and hunting play.
- Note water intake, appetite and toilet habits, and tell the vet about changes.
A prevention plan is not fixed. Breed, lifestyle, the DNA report and the last check-up all change what your pet needs. Review it with your vet once a year.
How we can help
We provide vaccination, deworming, neutering, dental scaling, blood tests, imaging and DNA testing, and can build a preventive care plan tailored to your pet's age and risks. Book a consultation to get started.