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First Vet Visit

Got a new, young, furry love in your life? This is the place for you to ask all of your questions-big or small! Just remember that you are receiving advice from other dog owners and lovers... not professionals. If you have a major problem, always seek the advice of a vet or behaviorist! Most important is to remember to have fun with your new fur baby.

  
Benji- Knockout

Always searching- for my next- meal!		 
 
Barked: Thu Feb 23, '12 11:30am PST 
So I am patiently waiting for my puppy... To be born! However I have been preparing for abuot a month so that I have everything ready and a wealth of knowledge when he arrives!

I wanted to know when did you take your puppy to his/her first vet visit. The breeder contract gives me 3 days and I wondered if I could take the puppy in before I even come home from the airport. Will this be too traumatizing to the puppy??

Also, I want to get my puppy microchipped ASAP! The SPCA is literally right behind the airport! Although my puppy will be seeing a regular vet down the street from my house I was utilizing the SPCA to get him fixed and microchipping because they have a lower cost and I planned on using the money I saved to donate a bunch of things to the SPCA. Would microchipping him while I'm by the airport anyway be a good idea?? Would it be too soon for him to be exposed to other animals? I really wanted to take him in the first 24 hours so that I could spend the weekend bonding!

Any advice?
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Grace

it's a big, big- world out there!
 
 
Barked: Thu Feb 23, '12 12:25pm PST 
I took Grace in the day after we brought her home just for a well puppy visit. We went back later for her shots.smile

It isn't traumatizing and is actually good for the pup.... just remember to keep him off the waiting room floor....
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Indie

1236690		 
 
Barked: Tue Feb 28, '12 12:09pm PST 
Microchipping him when you first get him is a good idea and will be fine, they hardly even feel it.
after that i would take him home to let him settle in for 1 - 3 days. Once he seems alot calmer and safer in his new home then takehim to the vets for his vaccinations.
Just remember he cannot be exposed to other dogs or the ground other dogs have walked on untill his full vaccination,
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Benji- Knockout

Always searching- for my next- meal!		 
 
Barked: Tue Feb 28, '12 12:29pm PST 
My puppy comes to me at 10 weeks and I am pretty sure the breeder mentioned that he will have 2 rounds of shots by then! The vet appointment I have to take him t is per breeder request to make sure the puppy is 100% okay and I figured I could microchip at that time. I believe I would have to take the puppy in again at 12 weeks but I need to wait for further instruction with my breeder about that.

Thanks for the advice! I have been reading that the puppy cannot be on the ground so I am going to get a purse like carrier and carry him with me outside. When walking for bathroom puposes how can you be sure that you aren't crossing paths with another dog? If I'll be taking him out frequently, a lot of people around here have dogs and I'm not really sure where I can go that he won't be near where another dog has been. That will be a challenge for me.
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Indie

1236690		 
 
Barked: Tue Feb 28, '12 1:02pm PST 
Take him out in your back garden? or use a puppy pad inside the house until he is fully vaccinated. However at 10 weeks old he/she should be having his last shot (until 6 months old) so maybe it would be a good idea to let him toilet inside on a puppy pad for the very first week and then let him out after his last shot a week later. We started taking our puppy out at 11 weeks and he was allowed to meet other dogs ect.
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Benji- Knockout

Always searching- for my next- meal!		 
 
Barked: Tue Feb 28, '12 1:36pm PST 
I don't have a house I live in an apartment building with many other dog owners who also walk thier dogs nearby. The puppy comes litter box trained but I honestly do not want him to get any more used to that. I have wall to wall white carpet (not by choice) so I would like to eliminate the chances of accidents in the house as much as possible. I will be keeping him in a X-pen in the kitchen and crate training though while we are away. I feel so bad keeping him cooped up in my apartment all day especially since I love to be outside as much as possible during the summer (he'll be coming home then). We don't get much warm weather where I am. I will talk to the breeder and vet but his health is the most important to me and if I have to keep him inside I will. I have even toyed with the idea of using a king sized blanket and taking his litter box outside just to get him used to leaving the house to use the bathroom and then eventually taking the box away. I have also thought about putting grass in the box while inside to get him used to the feel of grass. I am trying to make house breaking as easy as possible for both of us!

Thank you for all of your tips and if you are right about him not needing anymore shots until 6 months then maybe a week indoors won't kill him! Would using a blanket outside be okay to lounge around outdoors?
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Lucille

I am the Sock- Bandit!!!		 
 
Barked: Tue Feb 28, '12 1:37pm PST 
I recommend a 'well puppy' visit--no procedures that first day. Call ahead to the vet's office you will be using for your pup, and ask if you can just bring your pup in when it is not too busy to meet the staff. Carry your pup, take a long a few tasty tidbits and have the staff say hi and give a treat. Keep it short and sweet. Schedule any shots, first routine check-up etc. for a later date.

Once in awhile, if things go well (this depends a lot on what kind of vet office it is), pop in for some socialization in between scheduled visits. Just short, positive visits. It's actually helpful for your vet to see your pup when they're healthy, not just when pup is sick or needs a procedure done. Holistic vets in particular appreciate that. I would call ahead and ask the staff, if they're good they'll let you know if it's not a good time, particular illnesses are spreading etc.

Try to make any associations with the vet office a positive one, this is all about getting off on the right foot. My dog is now 2.5 and loves her vet and gets happy just going there. That was incredibly helpful when my dog was sick. She didn't get stressed just being there so we could all devote more energy to dealing with the emergency illness, not fearful behaviors.

It's probably a good idea to get your pup chipped at the ASPCA, it's not terribly painful and it doesn't sound like they'll be your regular vet's office, anyway. Congrats and best of luck with your new best friend! We love puppy pics here on dogster, hint hint. big grin
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Benji- Knockout

Always searching- for my next- meal!		 
 
Barked: Tue Feb 28, '12 4:35pm PST 
I will post pictures as soon as he's born!! One more month!!! I really can't wait!!! =)

The ASPCA will not be my main vet, they are just cheaper and literally right around the corner from the airport and I'm always in donating things so I figured why not stop by with a donation and for microchipping. I will take my puppy to the vet the next morning like you suggested Lucielle I will bring treats and goodies and hopefully he will love the Vet! =)
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