Your Puppy
&
The Vet
The best doctor in the world is one who has patients who can not tell them what is wrong… and yet they still know how to fix the problem. Be thankful for your veterinarian!
As a pet owner your furry friend relies on you for everything! While this can be a big responsibility it is nice to know that you have somewhere to turn when the situation is beyond your abilities as a loving owner. Whether your puppy’s prescription flea medication expired, or they found a porcupine on your family camping trip, you want to have an established relationship with your vet!
Start with a routine check up when your puppy is small to get the in the system as a current patient! You will not regret it!
Providing your puppy with a qualified vet before an emergency arrises is one of the most important pet parenting tasks you will be faced with! Be prepared!
Selecting a Veterinarian
When selecting the right vet for your puppy it can sometimes be difficult to know where to start. If you have other pets who are currently under the care of a trusted vet you might decide to continue with their care when you add a new furry family member to your home. Perhaps you are adopting a new puppy to fill the void where a deceased pet once was… In this case, you might find it logical to return to the same vet you went to in the past. In other examples, you might be in a new area or never had a pet to bring to the vet before! In this case it is essential to locate a clinic or hospital and schedule an appointment for your new puppy! Ask fellow pet lovers who they trust to provide medical care to their pet or try an internet search for local offices in your area. Once you have located an office, schedule an appointment. A good veterinarian should express an interest in your concerns and questions, be caring and attentive to your pet, and knowledgeable about your puppy’s breed and health.
Bringing your Puppy to the Vet
Taking a trip to the vet can be an exciting day for you and your puppy! It will be one of your puppy’s first trips out into the world. You want to make sure it’s a positive experience for both you and your puppy! Always carry your puppy into the animal hospital and hold them on your lap or in a carrier until it is their turn to be seen.
Resist the urge to allow your puppy to parade around the parking lot and waiting room for everyone to pet. Why? Your puppy is at an age that places them at an increased risk for contracting infectious illnesses and diseases. It is the nature of young puppies to kiss everyone they meet and put everything they find in their mouth. Everyone who has a sick puppy or ill dog brings them to this exact same waiting room.
Second, your puppy is most likely at the vet for a booster… because their immunization series is not yet complete, and in turn neither is their immune protection. Do you really want them being exposed to every germ in a place where sick dogs and puppies congregate? Always put your puppy’s safety first!
Your First Vet Visit
It is important that you take your newly adopted puppy to your vet within ten days of bringing them home! This allows your vet to begin building a relationship with you and your puppy from an early point in time. At your first vet visit you should provide your vet with any medical paperwork that came with your puppy.
The initial vet visit will help your vet understand your puppy’s health history! Ask your vet any questions you have about your puppy’s health and medical future. In turn your vet should advise you on what booster shots and other preventative measures should be taken based on your area and puppy’s lifestyle!
Topics to Cover with Your Vet
- Your Puppy’s Overall Health
- Booster Shots
- Additional Inoculations
- Continued Parasite Prevention: Fleas, Ticks, Ear Mites, Heart Worm, or Internal Worms.
- Nutrition
- Tell your Vet if your puppy has a Microchip!
- Ask About Spaying/Neutering
- Any Questions or Concerns you or your vet might have…
