If you've recently welcomed a new puppy and are planning its first trip to the vet, you probably have many questions. Today, our Marina del Rey vets can give you a checklist and explain what to expect when you bring your puppy in for its first vet appointment.
When to Take a Puppy to the Vet for the First Time
When you get a new puppy, knowing about their health care is important. Many puppy shelters and breeders take the first steps in caring for them before they go to their new homes. You should receive paperwork that clearly states what type of care has already been provided, when that occurred, and when you should schedule your puppy's next veterinary visit.
But regardless of what the shelter or breeder has already done, it is always a good idea to schedule a new puppy vet visit within a few days of picking up your new canine companion. This will allow the vet to review your puppy's records and quickly provide any overdue care.
The doctor will also perform a complete physical examination and perhaps run some laboratory tests to identify any potential health concerns. It's best to learn about problems as soon as possible before any health guarantees the breeder provides expire.
For puppies, vet visits usually happen every 3 to 4 weeks from 6 to 8 weeks old until they're 4 to 5 months. Most puppies start vaccination at 6 to 8 weeks. If your puppy starts vaccinations later, your vet can catch them up in two visits in 3 to 4 weeks apart. Your vet will adjust the plan based on your puppy's needs.
Before your appointment, you should collect as much information as possible.
Puppy's First Vet Visit Checklist
- Leash and collar or harness
- Chew toy for distraction
- Small treats to reward good behavior
- Dog carrier or crate lined with some old towels
- Any veterinary records you received from the breeder or shelter
- Written list of important questions
- Notes on how much of what types of foods and treats you have
- Any forms provided by your vet that you have already filled out
- A stool sample, as fresh as possible
Small puppies will be more comfortable and safer if they travel in a crate. Do not assume that you will be able to hold your puppy in your arms when they experience all the new sights, sounds, and smells at the clinic. It is important to bring a harness or leash to control your dog if they are feeling stressed.
What to Expect During Your Puppy's First Vet Visit
Veterinary staff will start the visit by asking you a series of questions about your puppy's history and how they are doing at home, followed by:
- A weight check
- Watching your puppy move around the exam room
- Looking at the whole body, including the eyes, ears, nose, feet, nails, skin, coat, and genitalia
- Using a stethoscope to listen to the heart and lungs
- Checking reflexes
- Measuring temperature pulse and respiratory
- Opening the mouth to check out the teeth, gums, and other structures
- Checking the eyes and ears
- Palpating the lymph nodes, joints, and organs within the abdomen
Throughout all the new puppy vet visits, the veterinary staff will discuss many important aspects of puppy care with you, including.
- Dental care
- Grooming needs
- Nutrition
- Flea, tick, heartworm, and internal parasite control
- Vaccination schedules
- Exercise and play requirements
- Behavior and socialization
- Pet identification, including microchips and tags
- Reproductive health, including the benefits and risks of spaying and neutering
- Travel requirements
- Pet safety and disaster preparedness
- Diseases that can be spread from pets to people (and vice versa)
Questions to Ask the Veterinarian
Your vet should give you all the info to help your puppy, but also check the topics mentioned above. If your vet forgot to talk about something or the information they provided was confusing, don't hesitate to ask more questions.