Annual Health: The Non-Negotiables

An assistance dog's annual health check should be comprehensive, not perfunctory. A five-minute vaccine appointment is not sufficient for a working animal. The checks below represent the minimum standard that responsible assistance dog handlers and their vets should work through each year. If your current practice does not cover all of these, it may be worth finding a vet with more experience in working dog health.

1. Full Physical Examination

A hands-on, nose-to-tail assessment by a vet remains the cornerstone of annual care. This should include auscultation of the heart and lungs, palpation of lymph nodes, abdominal palpation, and examination of eyes, ears, skin, and coat. For working dogs, pay particular attention to any signs of ear infection (especially in dogs that work in outdoor environments) and skin irritation from harness wear.

2. Joint and Musculoskeletal Assessment

Working dogs place significant physical demands on their joints. Breeds commonly used as assistance dogs — Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds — are predisposed to hip and elbow dysplasia. Annual gait assessment and joint palpation can catch the early signs of osteoarthritis before pain begins affecting performance. For dogs over five years old, X-rays every two to three years may be appropriate. Discuss this with your vet.

3. Dental Health Check

Dental disease is the most commonly diagnosed condition in UK dogs, yet it remains routinely underestimated. Periodontal disease is painful and, if left untreated, allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream — affecting heart, kidney, and liver health. An annual dental examination should assess for tartar build-up, gum recession, and broken teeth. Handlers should also be cleaning their dog's teeth daily with dog-safe toothpaste.

4. Weight and Body Condition Score

A working dog should be lean. Excess weight accelerates joint deterioration, reduces stamina, and shortens working life. Your vet should assess body condition score (BCS) at every visit and advise on diet if the dog is above ideal condition. Most working dog breeds should have a visible waist and ribs that are easily felt but not prominently visible.

5. Vaccination Review

Core vaccinations in the UK cover distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, and leptospirosis. Kennel cough (Bordetella bronchiseptica) vaccination is also advisable for dogs that regularly encounter other dogs in public spaces. Titre testing (measuring antibody levels rather than automatically revaccinating) is an increasingly accepted alternative for some core vaccines — discuss options with your vet.

6. Parasite Prevention Review

Assistance dogs frequently visit public spaces, healthcare settings, and transport where parasite exposure is elevated. Annual review should cover flea and tick prevention protocols, worming schedules, and — for dogs in high-tick areas — screening for tick-borne diseases. Lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum) is a growing concern in the UK and should be part of the prevention discussion.

7. Blood Tests for Senior Dogs

Dogs aged seven and over should have an annual blood panel including a full biochemistry profile and complete blood count. This screens for early kidney disease, liver changes, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, and anaemia — all conditions that can develop gradually and impair a dog's working ability before obvious symptoms appear.

8. Eye Examination

For breeds with known hereditary eye conditions (Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Border Collies), an annual eye health check is advisable. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) runs eye health screening schemes that can form part of your dog's annual health record.