What to Tell Your Vet at the Fall Wellness Visit
Vet Reviewed by Dr. Jacob Klos, DVM
By Dr. Jacob Klos, DVM
Fall is the ideal time for a veterinary check-up. Summer put your dog's body through its paces, and a fall visit is the opportunity to assess how they handled it and prepare for the months ahead.
But the quality of a wellness visit depends as much on what you bring to it as what your vet does. Here's how to make it count.
What to observe before the visit
Spend a few days actively watching your dog before the appointment. Your observations give your vet context that a 15-minute exam can't always capture.
Mobility: How does your dog rise from rest? Any stiffness, hesitation, or changes compared to spring? How are they on stairs? Any reluctance to jump?
Skin and coat: Any new lumps, bumps, or skin changes? Is the coat quality different from six months ago? Any persistent itching, hot spots, or ear issues?
Appetite and digestion: Any changes in appetite, stool quality, or eating behavior? Increased thirst? New food sensitivities?
Energy and behavior: Is your dog's energy level consistent with where it was in spring? Any new anxiety, clinginess, or behavioral changes?
Sleep: Any changes in sleep quality, duration, or patterns?
What to tell your vet (don't wait for them to ask)
"Here's what I've noticed since spring": Describe any changes, even subtle ones. Things like "she takes longer to get up in the morning" or "his coat seems duller" or "she's been licking her paws more" give your vet directional clues.
"Here's what my dog did this summer": Activity level matters. If your dog hiked every weekend, swam regularly, or was significantly more active than usual, tell your vet. It helps them assess joint wear, skin exposure, and overall physical stress.
"Here's what my dog is eating and taking": Bring the food brand, any supplements, and any treats you use regularly. Your vet can assess whether the nutritional profile matches your dog's current needs.
What to ask your vet
"How does my dog's body condition look?": Body condition scoring assesses whether your dog is at a healthy weight and has appropriate muscle mass. This is especially important heading into the less-active fall and winter months.
"Should we do bloodwork?": Annual bloodwork is recommended for dogs over age 7, but it can be valuable for younger dogs too, especially if anything has changed. Bloodwork catches organ function changes, thyroid issues, and other conditions before symptoms appear.
"Is my dog's joint health where it should be?": Ask your vet to specifically assess joint mobility, especially if your dog was very active over summer. Early intervention is always easier than late treatment.
"Are there any seasonal risks I should be aware of?": Fall brings specific risks depending on your region: ragweed allergies, leaf mold, leptospirosis from standing water, and continued tick exposure. Your vet can advise on region-specific preparation.
"Is my dog's current nutrition meeting their needs?": As dogs age, their nutritional requirements change. What worked at age 3 may not be sufficient at age 7. Your vet can identify gaps and recommend adjustments.
The visit your vet wishes you'd have
The best wellness visits are conversations, not one-way exams. When you arrive with observations, questions, and specific concerns, your vet can go deeper than a routine check. That's where the real value lives.
Schedule the visit now, before the holiday rush fills up the calendar.
To your dog's health,
Dr. Jacob Klos
Sources:
- AKC: Annual wellness visits, what to expect and what to ask
- AVMA: Preventive care guidelines for canine patients
- Veterinary nutrition literature on seasonal nutritional adjustments
- Veterinary internal medicine literature on the value of annual bloodwork screening
