Having a fluffy, cute puppy to hold is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Everyone in the family will remember this time; everyone can help love and care for your new puppy.
One of the first things you should do is take him to a vet so he can be checked out. It’s normal to be anxious about taking your pet to the veterinarian for the first time, especially if you don’t know what to expect. You can talk to your vet about a plan for your puppy and work together to ensure he grows healthy and happy.
Things You Should Ask Your Vet
The vet will conduct a comprehensive physical examination and collect information from you at your first veterinary appointment to gain a complete picture of your puppy’s health. This is also a great time to learn about puppy care to provide the best possible care for your new dog.
1. Is my puppy sick?
Many puppies are contaminated with one or more forms of gastrointestinal parasites that are not immediately apparent in terms of causing digestive system irritation when they arrive from the breeder, shelter, or great outdoors.
An essential element of a puppy’s first visit to the doctor is baseline fecal testing for common parasites. To get rid of parasites that may not yet be generating symptoms or aren’t abundant enough in feces for diagnostic testing, veterinarians recommend a brief course of a broad-spectrum dewormer.
2. What is the safest strategy for vaccinating my puppy?
A puppy’s safest immunization technique is dependent on several criteria, including age, past vaccination history, and the present health state. When provided by an experienced veterinarian, immunizations that protect our dogs against certain viruses and germs are safe and effective.
The most critical vaccines protect against deadly illnesses (Distemper, Parvovirus, Rabies, etc.). Non-core immunizations assist protect against non-fatal infections (Bordetella, Lyme, etc.). Puppies should only be vaccinated if they don’t have any other health problems such as gastrointestinal parasite infestations, respiratory tract infections, etc.
To learn more about parasite prevention and pet vaccinations in Yucaipa, you can search the web or directly ask your veterinarian.
3. How often should my puppy visit the vet?
Numerous sickness symptoms might go unnoticed by the ordinary dog owner, so your puppy must be regularly evaluated by a veterinarian. On the first six months of a puppy’s life, they are routinely seen by a veterinarian every three to four weeks for vaccines and other diagnostic tests and treatments. Around 18 months of age, booster vaccines are administered.
4. How to protect my puppy from injury and disease?
Regardless of the puppy’s age, training should begin immediately. You may use a food reward directly to grab your dog’s attention. The next phase uses positive reinforcement to get him to sit, remain, come, lay down, drop, and execute other acts.
Dog owners must teach their pets how to walk on a leash. This allows you to keep your dog under control while you take him out for a walk, socialize, or go about your daily routine. Using a short leash or placing your dog in a crate can protect him from injury and sickness.
If your pet acquires injuries requiring surgery, you can learn more about the different procedures by checking the website of reputable veterinary surgery hospitals or directly asking your veterinarian.
5. How much should I feed my puppy?
Consistent development in puppies’ rapidly dividing cells needs a steady supply of nutrients. Juvenile dogs need more protein, fat, calories, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients than adults to grow correctly and maintain a healthy weight. Puppies’ meals must also have an optimum proportion of nutrients to encourage healthy development rather than fast weight gain, which may lead to obesity and consequent bone issues. At this stage, feeding is more often.
Aside from feeding, one of the most critical concerns you should focus on is your pet’s dental health. You may also ask your vet about tips on dog teeth cleaning and how to maintain your pet’s dental health.