Puppies need to see the vet in order to get their initial vaccines and be checked for common conditions such as parasites. The first vet appointment should be pretty straightforward and should largely consist of your vet getting to know your puppy and advising you on the best care practices. It will be important, though, for you to bring certain things along with you to this appointment. In addition to your puppy, here are the things you need.
A leash and harness
Even if your puppy does not yet know how to be led well, you should put them in a harness with a leash for their visit to the vet. This will make it easier for you to gently restrain them while the vet works. You do not have to lead your puppy into the vet's office, though — you can carry them.
A toy
During the appointment, there will be times when you have to talk to the vet. A toy can be a great distraction for your puppy at these times, allowing you to concentrate. Bring a toy you know they love.
Records from the breeder
Bring any and all paperwork that your puppy's breeder gave you. This should list what, if any, health testing the puppy or its parents had. It should also tell the vet about your puppy's breeding, which can help them determine which conditions they need to be on the lookout for.
A fecal sample
Collect a fecal sample no sooner than the day before your puppy's appointment. You can bring it in a sealed plastic bag. The vet will test this sample for the presence of parasite eggs. If you can't get a fecal sample, don't worry too much. You can bring one to your puppy's next appointment instead.
Information about the food you're feeding
Bring along the name of the puppy food you've been feeding, and make sure you also note how much you have been feeding them. If the food is not a common one, you may want to bring along the bag so that the vet can have a little more information about the food. The vet will confirm whether or not the food you're giving your dog is ideal.
If you bring all of the above items along to your puppy's first vet appointment, you'll be in good shape. If your vet needs anything else, they will probably just ask you to bring it with you next time.
Share3 November 2020
When I moved into the town I'm living in now, there was a large population of stray cats. Unfortunately, that population kept growing in rapid numbers because none of the cats had been fixed. I knew that wasn't a healthy situation, so I reached out to a local shelter and a veterinarian to launch a trap-alter-release program. Within about a year, we had the entire population altered and released back to their environments. The logistics were significant, but not overwhelming. That's why I built this site. My goal is to teach others how to launch a similar program in their own neighborhood to help keep the stray cats healthier and safer.