First Puppy Vet Visit - What to Expect

What Happens During The First Vet Visit

At your puppy’s 6-week appointment with us, our vet will have examined your puppy’s vital signs (temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate), get their weight, and discuss diet and general well-being (activity level, appetite, and any problems you may have experienced). A comprehensive physical exam, including listening to the heart and lungs, palpating the abdomen, and conducting an oral exam. The vet will also check your dog’s mouth, ears, eyes, nose, and toes, as well as the skin and coat. They will also recommend core vaccinations and deworming medications for future visits. This will happen again at their 8 Week Appointment with you. Our dogs come with a CVI. You can view these on our litter document pages. We often will send home an 8-10 week additional deworming. Please mention the brand that is in your bag with your vet and ask about getting on their recommended schedule. Also, discuss flea and tick options for your area of the US.

Before your Puppy’s First Vet Visit

Puppy’s First Vet Visit Checklist

• Your Pet’s Vet Medical Record records you received from Stokeshire - see image.

• Notes on how much of what types of foods and treats you offer at home. Mention the brand of dog food that we recommend and any dog treats you’ve introduced.

• Dog carrier or crate lined with some old towels or shirts that smell like home. You want to treat throughout the visit.

• Leash and collar or harness

• Chew toy for distraction

• Any forms provided by your veterinarian that you have already filled out

• A stool sample, as fresh as possible - They will want to do a stool sample. Do not be surprised if they find some worms. This is very common. Continue on the regime that we started and continue throughout their life.

During your puppy’s first visit, the vet should:

• Weigh the puppy

• Listen to heart and lungs with a stethoscope

• Take their temperature (note: pet temperatures are taken rectally)

• Examine eyes, ears, nose, feet, and genitalia

• Examine skin and coat

• Look at teeth and mouth

• Palpate abdomen and lymph nodes

• Examine feces (bring a sample) for the presence of worms (most pups have roundworms)

• Discuss the puppy’s history and any questions you might have about feedings, medical issues, such as worm medications, and future care, such as microchipping, spaying, and neutering

• If you are going home with medications or treatments, make sure that you understand when and how they are to be given. Follow directions to the letter, and set up a schedule for follow-up visits and vaccinations

Dog CarE Discussed at your First Vet Visit

Throughout your first vet visit, the veterinary staff will discuss many important aspects of doodle puppy care

• Exercise and play requirements

• Coat care & Grooming needs

• Behavior and socialization

• Pet identification, including microchips and tags

• Reproductive health, including the benefits and risks of spaying and neutering

• Dental care - ask about Gingivitis which can progress to periodontal disease.

• Travel requirements

• Pet safety and disaster preparedness

• Nutrition

• Flea, tick, heartworm, and internal parasite control

• Vaccination schedules

• Diseases that can be spread from pets to people (and vice versa)

• Ask about ear and coat health as it relates to the Poodle & Doodle Breeds.

Are Dog Vaccinations Required By Law?

Rabies vaccinations are required by law in most states, including WI. Owners must periodically have their dogs and puppies vaccinated against rabies, but the specific time frames for puppy vaccinations and dog vaccinations vary by state. In WI, the puppy rabies vaccine is generally given at 16 weeks ( no earlier than week 15), and the first rabies vaccination is good for one year. For adult dogs, the rabies vaccination is good for three years. We recommend a puppy would receive the rabies vaccine at 20 weeks, 1 year, and then again at age 4. (See above)

Side Effects And Risks Associated With Dog Vaccinations

The benefits of vaccinations far outweigh any risks. Adverse reactions to dog vaccines are rare. However, As with any medication or immunization protocol, puppy vaccinations, and dog vaccinations can cause some side effects. Dog vaccinations stimulate your puppy or dog's immune system in order to create protection from specific infectious diseases. This can cause mild symptoms to occur ranging from soreness at the injection site to fever and allergic reactions. We do recommend that you have your puppy or dog vaccinated at a time when you can monitor them after the vaccination.

If your dog does experience any reaction to vaccinations, symptoms may include:

• Fever

• Severe sluggishness or lethargy

• Loss of appetite

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Pain or swelling around the injection site

• Collapse, difficulty breathing, and seizures (anaphylactic shock)

Just as with human vaccines, mild symptoms can be ignored. The majority of reactions are mild and short-lived. If you suspect a more severe reaction to puppy vaccines or dog vaccines, such as facial swelling, vomiting, or lethargy, you should contact your veterinarian immediately to determine whether any special care is needed.

Puppy Vaccinations Cost

• The average cost can average around $75—100. These will include the core vaccines, which are administered in a series of three: at 6-, 12-, and 16 weeks old.

• The core vaccines include the DHLPP (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvo, and parainfluenza). Your doodle pup will also need a rabies vaccination, which is usually around $15—20. (Some clinics include the cost of the rabies vaccination.)

• Routine Vet Checkup $50-$250

  
  
  

After Your First Puppy Visit

Expect that your puppy may be down and out for a few days. We recommend a probiotic. Ask your vet about the ones they may recommend. You may see some loose stool for a day or two as well. They may sleep a little extra as well. Be sure to treat them throughout their experience at the vet with treats and praise! You want this to be a good experience for them. Vet-techs are great at this!

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