Post by Admin on Jul 3, 2007 1:37:22 GMT -5
Puppy's First Trip to the Vet
As soon as possible after bringing your new puppy home, you'll want to visit your veterinarian. Most breeders and rescue groups require an immediate veterinary exam in order for any health guarantees to be valid. You also want to make sure your new puppy is happy and healthy, and it's the perfect time to get some last-minute guidance from your vet. It's not unusual for a young animal to have some diarrhea, a mild runny nose, or worms. Nutrition is important.
Young animals have special needs, just like babies and sometimes it takes time to find the right food that your puppy will digest well and that is nutritionally complete and balanced. Heartworm prevention is important, and your veterinarian will help you to decide what means of prevention is best. Pediatric pets need a series of vaccinations in order for their immune systems to be stimulated at the right time for the vaccines to be effective. The most common diseases that your vet will try to prevent through vaccination are distemper (a virus that affects the GI tract, and sometimes the respiratory tract and nervous system), respiratory diseases, and rabies. Other vaccines will be discussed based on your pet's needs.
You need to follow the timing guidelines set by your veterinarian so the puppy's own immune system can take over as the effects of his mother's antibodies wears off. Your veterinarian will also discuss spaying or neutering your pet. These procedures not only prevent unwanted puppies but contribute to the health of your pet. Housetraining your dog will be addressed. Appropriate play and socialization of your pet will be explained as well as bathing, grooming and exercise pointers. Now is the time to establish the foundation of a lifetime of good health care for your pet.
Keep puppy relaxed
Your puppy is going to require regular visits to the veterinarian so you want to establish good habits from the start.
Schedule your puppy's first appointment as early in the morning as possible, preferably when the clinic opens or when there are fewer people. Since your puppy hasn't completed his vaccinations, he's susceptible to diseases.
IMPORTANT: Keep your puppy protected while at the vet's office. Don't allow him on the floor and don't allow others to touch him until he is fully vaccinated and protected. Remember that many dogs come to the vet because they are probably sick and you don't want to expose him to other dogs in the waiting area. I would suggest to keep him in his crate or in your arms unless he is being examined. Scheduling an appointment when the clinic is less active will also help ease the anxiety your puppy will feel in a strange environment.
During the veterinarian's examination make sure to stay calm and relaxed in order to keep your puppy calm and relaxed. Praise him softly during the exam and afterwards. You don't want your negative, nervous energy to upset your puppy. Keep an upbeat, pleasant tone. If he starts to make a fuss, don't coddle him or be overly sympathetic. You'll only reinforce the behavior and likely make it worse on your next visit. Simply get your puppy's attention with a quick wave of your hand or other movement. Be mindful of what behavior you're rewarding as you offer praise. You want your puppy to remember the veterinarian's as a pleasant place to be.
What to expect and what to bring
Your puppy's first visit to the veterinarian will involve a basic health check and his first set of vaccinations. Your puppy will be weighed and given the once over to check his coat, ears, eyes, heart, lungs, teeth and gums.
You may need to bring a stool sample for your veterinarian to test for parasites. Also, take along any health records or documentation you received from the breeder or rescue organization. This will give the vet a sense of your puppy's previous care and help him establish an appropriate health regimen.
Make sure you're clear on any instructions or recommendations your veterinarian offers. Get them in writing if necessary. You should also ask any questions you have about caring for your puppy. You should have your questions written down beforehand because you will forget them if you don't. You've likely survived the first night or two with him and now would be a good time to get answers for any issues that may have come up during that time.
You want to make sure that your puppy is happy and healthy, which means regular visits to the veterinarian. By taking the time to make your puppy's first visit to the vet as calm and relaxing as possible, you'll be on the path to making every trip to the vet stress-free for you and your puppy.
www.raisingspot.com/adopting/puppy_first_vet_visit.php
As soon as possible after bringing your new puppy home, you'll want to visit your veterinarian. Most breeders and rescue groups require an immediate veterinary exam in order for any health guarantees to be valid. You also want to make sure your new puppy is happy and healthy, and it's the perfect time to get some last-minute guidance from your vet. It's not unusual for a young animal to have some diarrhea, a mild runny nose, or worms. Nutrition is important.
Young animals have special needs, just like babies and sometimes it takes time to find the right food that your puppy will digest well and that is nutritionally complete and balanced. Heartworm prevention is important, and your veterinarian will help you to decide what means of prevention is best. Pediatric pets need a series of vaccinations in order for their immune systems to be stimulated at the right time for the vaccines to be effective. The most common diseases that your vet will try to prevent through vaccination are distemper (a virus that affects the GI tract, and sometimes the respiratory tract and nervous system), respiratory diseases, and rabies. Other vaccines will be discussed based on your pet's needs.
You need to follow the timing guidelines set by your veterinarian so the puppy's own immune system can take over as the effects of his mother's antibodies wears off. Your veterinarian will also discuss spaying or neutering your pet. These procedures not only prevent unwanted puppies but contribute to the health of your pet. Housetraining your dog will be addressed. Appropriate play and socialization of your pet will be explained as well as bathing, grooming and exercise pointers. Now is the time to establish the foundation of a lifetime of good health care for your pet.
Keep puppy relaxed
Your puppy is going to require regular visits to the veterinarian so you want to establish good habits from the start.
Schedule your puppy's first appointment as early in the morning as possible, preferably when the clinic opens or when there are fewer people. Since your puppy hasn't completed his vaccinations, he's susceptible to diseases.
IMPORTANT: Keep your puppy protected while at the vet's office. Don't allow him on the floor and don't allow others to touch him until he is fully vaccinated and protected. Remember that many dogs come to the vet because they are probably sick and you don't want to expose him to other dogs in the waiting area. I would suggest to keep him in his crate or in your arms unless he is being examined. Scheduling an appointment when the clinic is less active will also help ease the anxiety your puppy will feel in a strange environment.
During the veterinarian's examination make sure to stay calm and relaxed in order to keep your puppy calm and relaxed. Praise him softly during the exam and afterwards. You don't want your negative, nervous energy to upset your puppy. Keep an upbeat, pleasant tone. If he starts to make a fuss, don't coddle him or be overly sympathetic. You'll only reinforce the behavior and likely make it worse on your next visit. Simply get your puppy's attention with a quick wave of your hand or other movement. Be mindful of what behavior you're rewarding as you offer praise. You want your puppy to remember the veterinarian's as a pleasant place to be.
What to expect and what to bring
Your puppy's first visit to the veterinarian will involve a basic health check and his first set of vaccinations. Your puppy will be weighed and given the once over to check his coat, ears, eyes, heart, lungs, teeth and gums.
You may need to bring a stool sample for your veterinarian to test for parasites. Also, take along any health records or documentation you received from the breeder or rescue organization. This will give the vet a sense of your puppy's previous care and help him establish an appropriate health regimen.
Make sure you're clear on any instructions or recommendations your veterinarian offers. Get them in writing if necessary. You should also ask any questions you have about caring for your puppy. You should have your questions written down beforehand because you will forget them if you don't. You've likely survived the first night or two with him and now would be a good time to get answers for any issues that may have come up during that time.
You want to make sure that your puppy is happy and healthy, which means regular visits to the veterinarian. By taking the time to make your puppy's first visit to the vet as calm and relaxing as possible, you'll be on the path to making every trip to the vet stress-free for you and your puppy.
www.raisingspot.com/adopting/puppy_first_vet_visit.php