What to Expect At Puppy’s First Vet Visit?
One of the first steps in making your new puppy a member of your family is to take it to the vet for a routine check-up, exam, and to get their first shots. During the first few months of your puppies, life is when they need the most care and will benefit the most from these first shots, and preventative care. Here is what you can expect on your first vet visit for puppy!
What Kind of Shots Will Be Given?
Many times, owners walk into their vet’s clinic and see a large sheet of vaccines that the puppy needs and become defensive. While these may be costly in the beginning, it is better to get them done, than have your pup become sick with something that could have easily been prevented.
During your first visit, expect these shots
- Rabies
- Canine Distemper
- Canine Parvovirus
- Canine Hepatitis
Depending on where you go, they may have different recommendations, however, for 6-8 week old puppies, these are the main four shots that will be given at their first visit.
- Patricia B. McConnell (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 117 Pages - 02/23/2010 (Publication Date) - McConnell Publishing (Publisher)
What Kind Of Preventive Care Will Be Discussed?
While a puppy is still young, a vet will check for heartworms. Heartworms are nasty parasites that are transmitted by mosquitos. Once infected, they travel to the heart and breed there and can cause irreparable damage if not caught in time. Veterinarians will always recommend starting a heartworm prevention schedule earlier, rather than wait until they are infected, and have to undergo costly treatment. Heartworm prevention has evolved in the past years, now, options include chewable, powders, and even a 6-month injection.
Your vet may also discuss during your first visit with them, a flea and tick prevention plan, although they may suggest waiting until they are slightly older, or have more weight before starting. They may suggest a topical clove based solution which is good for younger animals.
What About Spaying and Neutering?
One part of pet ownership is deciding when to get your pet spayed or neutered, and your vet may speak to you about this during your first visit. Recommendations for when to alter your dog will depend on things such as their age and breed, so you will need to discuss this with your vet (and possibly your breeder).
Should I Think About Microchipping?
In this day and age, technology has made it much easier to find our pets in the event they get loose. Microchipping is just one way to ensure that if your pet is found by animal control or someone brings them into a shelter; you can be contacted immediately and retrieve your pet. It is important to keep the information updated and current. It is also a good idea (and required by law) to have a tag on their collar or harness with your information. For their safety, it is better not to list the animal’s information. Just your phone number and address, and if they have been microchipped. While an additional cost, your vet can do it at your first visit.
What Does the First Vet Visit Cost?
Depending on where you live, the costs will vary. Talk to your friends and other dog owners to find a veterinarian that they trust, and call around. Finding the best services with the best cost for a puppy vet visit is important, but it is entirely understandable for the need to shop with a budget in mind too. Local shelters, the Humane Society, and even small non-profit groups may be able to give you a discount based on your financial situation.
On average, you will need to pay for the four core shots and the boosters that will follow. Microchipping will be another fee if you choose to have this done. Heartworm and flea and tick costs will vary from office to office and may be able to be found for cheaper online, or at your local pet store.
- Stilwell, Victoria (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 224 Pages - 10/01/2019 (Publication Date) - Ten Speed Press (Publisher)
What Items Do I Need for the Vet?
Before your first visit, you will want to bring any information you have about its pedigree, any previous visits, as well as a list of health problems the parents had like a puppy vet checklist. Your vet will understand your breed, and give you tips on how to prevent problems later in life. Large dogs tend to have hip problems, where smaller animals may have problems with stiff joints and temper. Each animal is different. Items to include on your first vet visit for puppy checklist:
- Information on pedigree
- Previous vet visits
- Type of food being fed
- How often puppy is being fed
- Treats
- A favorite toy
Going to the vet may seem scary for both you and your dog the first time, but, if you make it a positive experience, you and your new puppy will enjoy vet visits much more in the future. Bring treats and toys and make it a big deal, give them lots of love and attention, and be positive throughout the visit. They are looking for you to model their behavior!
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Last update on 2023-12-04 at 04:44 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I’ve been looking at microchipping my new pups – are there any negative effects? will it irritate the dogs any?