When bringing home a new puppy it is always a good idea to introduce him to your vet. It is good to have him meet your vet before an actual vet visit, as this will help your puppy be less afraid when you do bring him in.
Your puppy should feel comfortable at your vet’s office as this will help visits to your vet go as smoothly as possible. Taking him to your vet can also help you learn valuable information about the care and well being of your puppy. If it is your first time to the vet, you will have to fill out some paperwork.
This may include some personal information about you, but mostly it will be about the characteristics of your puppy. They will have to develop a medical record on your dog so that in future visits they will know of any past problems so they will know what to expect and what they are looking for.
Questions and Advice
The vet will most likely do a few simple measurements and tests. These things will include a weight and temperature check as well as listening to his heart. They will probably ask you some questions about your puppy so they can get a better understanding of what your puppy might need. They might be able to give you some advice about behavior, training, and feeding as well as what to expect as your puppy grows older so you can be prepared for what is to come.
If your puppy is a purebred, then you vet might be able to let you know about common health and behavior issues your specific breed is likely to encounter. They might also discuss with you whether or not to spay or neuter your pet. They will be able to answer your questions on the pros and cons to such a procedure.
Checking your Pet
The vet will be checking your pet’s teeth for and abnormalities such as an over or under bite. They will check your puppy’s eyes, skin, ears, and joints to see if there are any complications.
Checking the puppies heart can detect if they have a heart murmur or any other possible heart conditions. They may also check the stomach for any pain. Many purebreds have health concerns and it is best to catch them before they develop into severe problems.
You vet will also provide your pet with vaccinations against diseases as well as parasite control measures. These are there to ensure your pet remains healthy. They will also discuss with you how to prevent possible parasite infections as well.
Vaccinations and Follow Up
When your visit to the vet is finished they will most likely reschedule another visit for follow up vaccinations or if your puppy was ill during his visit, they will schedule a follow up visit to see how he is doing in a few days or weeks.
For the first few months, the vet visits will probably be quite frequent. Usually after about sixteen to twenty weeks of age the visits become annual.
Taking you pet for regular visits can help to prevent possible health issues and ensure that your pet is healthy and happy.