Have you adopted a dog or a puppy? Among the first steps to be taken, a check-up visit to the veterinarian is a priority in order to check his state of health, carry out the vaccines and have him identified by electronic chip if this is not already the case. On this occasion, the doctor will be able to give you a brand new health record.
Why is the first veterinary consultation important?
During this first veterinary visit, the specialist will carry out a complete health examination. He will then discuss with you several essential points: vaccines, identification, antiparasitic treatments, sterilization… He will also answer any questions you may have about the well-being and maintenance of your little protege (care, grooming, food, education, etc.).
Do not hesitate to list all your questions before the consultation in order to be advised as well as possible and bring the information and papers you have on the origins and possible medical history of your animal. If your dog or puppy comes from a breeder or a shelter, the latter should have given you his identification card and his vaccination record.
At what age should the first veterinary consultation be carried out?
The puppy should not be weaned or separated from its mother before the age of two months. This is why the first veterinary visit is generally carried out at this time since this corresponds to the recommended age for the adoption of a puppy. However, if you find yourself having taken in an unweaned puppy, the consultation is all the more essential because the veterinarian can give you valuable advice on the early nutrition of the puppy and on the points to watch for in the orphan puppy.
If you have adopted an adult dog, it is just as important to present it to your veterinarian for a health check without delay. Again, any background information you may have is welcome to guide the review. Whatever the case, preparing the visit well will ensure that it takes place in the best possible conditions for your animal.
How to prepare for the first visit to the vet?
After collecting as much information as possible about your new companion (passport, health record, etc.), make an appointment with your usual veterinarian if you already have one. Otherwise, get information on the Internet or from those around you to collect different opinions on the firms and practitioners around you. When making an appointment, make it clear that this is the first consultation for a newly adopted puppy or dog.
Indeed, this type of consultation can take some time since many points will be discussed with the veterinarian. So make sure to reserve a time slot where you will have enough time in front of you so that the wait and the visit take place in peace: you should not take the risk of a hasty consultation that could stress your animal. for his first meeting with the doctor!
List the essential points to discuss with the veterinarian
Again, it may be a good idea to list all the questions you want to ask your veterinarian beforehand during the visit. If he will naturally go to the front of the most frequent questions, remember to inform him precisely about the way of life and the habitat of your animal: does he have access to a garden, are there other animals in the home, children… Indeed, these elements are likely to influence the decisions to be taken in terms of vaccines, antiparasitic treatments, and deworming.
Address the question of sterilization, even if you are not considering it immediately, because the practitioner will already be able to inform you about the practical and financial aspects of the intervention. Electronic identification, now mandatory, is also to be mentioned as a priority.
Make the first consultation a positive experience
By positively familiarizing the puppy with the veterinary practice, you will save him unnecessary fears in the future. It is up to you to make it a positive experience: if it is commonly accepted that animals have a grudge against the veterinarian, it should not be inevitable! Be reassuring to your dog and take a handful of treats with you to reward him. In the waiting room, he will certainly be excited or anxious by smelling the scent marks of other animals that have been there.
However, be calm and benevolent in order to tell him that there is no reason to worry. Keep it preferably at your foot rather than on your knees so as not to “mother” it more than necessary, it could smell like eels under a rock!
Take advantage of the first consultation to document yourself
Veterinary practices have a wealth of documentation in the form of brochures dealing with many aspects of daily life, care, and hygiene for your animal. Do not hesitate to take advantage of your visit to gather as much information as possible as well as addresses of groomers, dog clubs, behavioral specialists, dentists, osteopaths, and any other practitioner that you may need to consult in the future.
Finally, most practices offer accessories for sale (brushes, claw clippers, etc.) which we can demonstrate to you, as well as quality food products that may be of interest to the well-being of your animal.
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