You and your veterinarian should be a team dedicated to keeping your poodle healthy. If you have a good relationship, you might be able to call and ask questions about problems that crop up, rather than taking your poodle in to the clinic. But there are times your vet needs to see him, no matter how healthy he is.

The Annual Exam

Every dog should visit the veterinarian at least once a year for a wellness checkup. At that exam, your vet will give your dog a thorough looking-over, examining his eyes, ears, teeth, skin, and coat. She'll palpate him, feeling for lumps or signs of pain. She'll also probably want a stool sample to check for worms and a blood sample for a heartworm test. This annual appointment is important for early detection of disease and for allowing your vet to see your dog when he's feeling well.

Your poodle depends on you to figure out when he's feeling poorly and seek veterinary care for him.

Problem Visits

In an ideal world, your poodle wouldn't need to see the vet any more often than his annual wellness appointment. But there's a real possibility that you'll need to take your poodle in because of some illness or injury. Don't be afraid to set up an appointment if you feel a problem is serious or if it is not clearing up with your home remedies.

When it comes to deciding whether to pay a visit to the vet, listen to your intuition. If it tells you that something serious is going on, it's worth it (if only for your peace of mind) to visit or call your vet.