Your Puppy’s First Time At The Vet

Have you recently brought an adorable puppy home with you? In the first few weeks, there will be a bit of a learning curve as you will have to get used to your new puppy and they will get used to their new environment. One of the most important steps you can take to make sure your puppy is in perfect health is to take them to a check-up with a vet. Check out some of our tips below to help you with your puppy’s first trip to the vet.

Things To Consider

Your puppy’s first visit to the vet should occur between the first 8-10 weeks. The first visit will entail a full physical exam, de-worming, and initial vaccines. Be aware that this may have already been done prior to you bringing your puppy home so if this is the case make sure you have these records on hand when you go to your first visit to the vet.

Your dog’s age, breed, lifestyle and background will have a huge impact on preventative measures and any other vaccines they may need. Since your dog may come from a shelter, breeder, or friend it is important as they are all treated differently. If any medical issues are discovered during the visit, you will most likely have to have a follow-up visit.

 

Furry Friends

Before your dog is fully vaccinated, it is important that they do not make any other doggy friends. When you do visit your first visit to the vet ask them about any preventative measures you should take when meeting other dogs. We also recommend avoiding public places frequented by other dogs such as dog parks. However, if your family or friends have dogs that have been all caught up on their vaccinations then your puppy should be okay to interact with them.

Vaccination and Heartworm

Vaccinations and heartworm are preventative care that is crucial to the health of your dog. Heartworm should be taken year round and there are different methods on how it can be administered such as chewable pills, spot on treatment, and injectable medication.

 

Spaying and Neutering 

Spaying and neutering your dogs is an important way to keep them healthy and control the unwanted pet population. The ideal time to neuter or spay most puppies is between 6-9 months, as this will help prevent potential future diseases such as cancer, behavioural problems, and is more cost effective. One myth about spaying and neutering your dog is that it will cause them to become overweight. However, this is not true as lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pup to gain extra weight.

If you would like to keep track of how much activity your dog gets and how much they should eat why not try out a PoochPlay activity tracker  which will assist you in managing your dog’s weight and health.