Found a new family member under your tree?  Now what???

If you’re reading this, then you probably just brought a new puppy home, or you’re planning on bringing a new puppy home soon. Either way, congratulations! There’s nothing like a cute, fuzzy new addition to the family.

While it’s important to start right in on the cuddling and training needed by a new puppy, it’s also crucial to get a head start on your puppy’s health. You want to make sure your new friend gets off on the right foot, and this means scheduling your puppy’s first veterinary visit at Shaver Road Animal Hospital. Depending on your new puppy’s age and expected lifestyle, there are a lot of different things you can expect from your veterinarian. Read on to learn more.

Puppy’s First Visit to the Vet
When you take your puppy to the veterinarian for the first time, we will probably want to give him or her a physical exam before anything else.  This will include lots of cuddles and treats - it's a critical time for us to extablish a lifelong friendship with your pet!  The exam is about more than just treats though! We can find physical problems with your pooch just by looking him or her over, such as poor gait or skin problems, and get your puppy on a treatment plan right away.

In addition, we will want to make sure your puppy is free of a variety of illnesses and conditions, and to do so he or she will perform a variety of tests, including:

Fecal exam to check for intestinal parasites (so bring us a little stool sample on that first visit!)
Start deworming (through the use of prescription medication) to treat intestinal parasites
Start heartworm Medication
Begin protecting your puppy from flea and tick-borne diseases
Trim those sharp little nails and teach you how to do this at home
Talk about dental care - good habits start now!

If your puppy is older than six months old during this initial visit, he or she will also need to undergo a heartworm test. Because it usually takes 6-7 months for an infected dog to test positive, heartworm wouldn’t necessarily show up in tests on puppies younger than six months of age.

Vaccines
Vaccinations often depend on a variety of factors, including your dog’s age and your geographic location. In general, however, all puppies and dogs should have the following vaccines:

-  Distemper, Parvo, Hepatitis, and Parainfluenza – these are often combined into a single vaccine.  
-  Rabies, a shot which will be given after 14 weeks of age and is required for your dog to be licensed.

When it comes to other vaccines, it really depends on the puppy – his or her lifestyle, your lifestyle, your geographic location, and your puppy’s age all factor in to vaccination.

Any Questions?
Your puppy’s first veterinary visit is also a great time to discuss other topics with us, such as the health benefits of spaying and neutering, diet, house training, socializing, and other ways to keep your puppy a well-behaved and well-adjusted member of your family.
Remember this rule of thumb – don’t be afraid to arrive at your veterinarian’s office with a list of all the questions you might have about your new pooch! There are no dumb questions when it comes to keeping your pet healthy and happy.

Happy Holidays and hoping any new family members you might be dreaming of make their way to your home this holiday season!