Bringing a new dog or puppy home can be an exciting time for everyone. The first thing you will want to do once you bring your new addition home is take him/her to the veterinarian. That way, your veterinarian will be able to verify your new pet is healthy. And, if there are problems, they can be addressed promptly. The first vet visit with your new dog or puppy can be overwhelming. You may have a lot of questions and there is a lot of information that your veterinarian will need to give you in order to ensure your new dog or puppy gets off to a good start. In this video clip and blog post, Dr. Wendy discusses what you need to know in order to be prepared for your puppy’s first vet visit.
The veterinarian will perform a physical exam and make sure your puppy’s weight is good. Your veterinarian will also likely check and discuss the following with you:
Fecal Analysis – Make sure you bring a fecal sample to the vet with you. The vet will check the fecal sample for intestinal worms and parasites which are actually pretty common especially in puppies. If any parasites are found, they can be treated relatively easily. It is usually acceptable to obtain a fecal sample within 24 hours of your scheduled vet visit. Just keep the sample refrigerated until you get to the vet. However, the fresher the sample, the better.
Feeding and Potty Training Habits/Behavior – Your veterinarian will want to know what food your puppy is eating and how much food he/she is eating so you should be prepared to provide your veterinarian with this information. If the puppy seems too thin or too heavy or if your puppy seems to be having trouble tolerating his/her current food, your veterinarian may suggest a slow, gradual food change to something more ideal. Your veterinarian will also likely ask you questions on how potty training is going so be prepared with this information as well. If potty training is not going well, your veterinarian will likely be able to help you with strategies to potty train your puppy as quickly and easily as possible.
Preventatives – Your veterinarian will also likely recommend starting your new dog or puppy on monthly preventatives for heartworm disease and flea/ticks. Most of these preventatives are administered once a month. Flea/tick prevention is usually topical and Heartworm preventative is usually given orally although there are some topical options for this as well. If your puppy is under 6 months of age prior to starting a heartworm preventative, your veterinarian will likely start him/her on heartworm preventative without testing since heartworms do not start reproducing to cause problems until at least 6 months. If your puppy or dog is older than 6 months and has not been on heartworm preventative before, your veterinarian will likely require a heartworm test to confirm your puppy or dog is free of heartworm disease before starting preventative. This is due to the fact that heartworm preventative can sometimes be harmful in a dog that is harboring this disease. Protocols on heartworm prevention may also vary depending on where you live and how prevalent heartworm disease is in your area so you should discuss this with your veterinarian.
Vaccinations – Your veterinarian will also get your new dog or puppy started on a good vaccination schedule. The two main types of vaccines that are typically given are Canine Distemper (DHPP) and Rabies. The Canine Distemper Vaccination will need to be given in a series spread about a month apart in previously unvaccinated dogs and puppies so you should be prepared to bring your new pet in a few times to get him/her up to date. Your veterinarian may also discuss other vaccines with you including Lyme Disease Vaccine, Leptospirosis Vaccine, and Bordetella (kennel cough) Vaccine depending on your new dog or puppy’s lifestyle.
Basic Husbandry- Your veterinarian may discuss strategies to get your new dog or puppy used to having his/her teeth brushed and his/her nails clipped. Getting your new dog or puppy used to having these things done at an early age can help you to keep him/her healthy and well-groomed at home.
Spaying and Neutering- Your veterinarian will also likely discuss spaying and neutering with you if your new canine has not already had this done. Typically, this cannot be done until 6 months of age but your veterinarian can discuss this further to you.
These are the basics. The next time you bring home a new puppy, this information should help you to be better prepared for his/her first vet visit!
