04/20/2026
Borrowed from Swann Animal Clinic on 45th:
"He's doing better. I don't think we need a recheck."
You'd be wrong. One of the most common rechecks we see canceled is the one your dog most needs: Ear Infections.
It starts out the same - your dog is itching or scratching at their ears, maybe you notice the gunk and smell, maybe it's how red it is, so you bring them in. They're diagnosed with an ear infection. We'll determine the cause (yeast, bacteria, etc.), prescribe the appropriate treatment, and ask you to return in two weeks for a recheck to confirm it's fully resolved and that the ear infection wasn't a symptom of another underlying condition.
You give the meds. The ear infection gets "better." No more itchy dog... right? So you cancel that recheck and go back to life as normal. Then we get a phone call four weeks later, the dog has another ear infection!
Nope.
The ear infection was never fully healed, or, worse, there was actually another underlying cause (most commonly allergies). Rechecks aren't money grabs or simply peace of mind for your veterinarian. They are confirmation that your pet has healed, that there are no other issues to address, and that the root cause of your pet's ear infection has been treated.
Attending that recheck can help prevent the yo-yo of ear infections for your dog, diagnose more serious underlying issues, confirm successful treatment, and give you true peace of mind. We're all for fewer vet visits, so be sure to attend that recheck.
