Pup to the Vet

By Dr. David Erlewein

Without question, the best part of the day in most general veterinary practices is the new puppy visit: There is absolutely nothing like a new puppy to put a smile on everyone’s face and brighten the day. But that new puppy exam is also very serious business, and there are many things that need to be checked and discussed. If you are a first-time pet owner, you will have many questions, and you may need or want more time than someone who has had several pets. When you make your appointment, it might be a good idea to tell the receptionist if this is your first puppy and that you will have many questions.

So, when should you schedule the first visit? Sometimes, the breeder’s health guarantee will dictate when you make the first appointment. Some will require an examination within 24 to 72 hours, and others will simply suggest visiting a veterinarian for the next required vaccination. If you have absolutely no concerns about the health of the puppy, I usually advise clients to wait for two to three days before the first visit. This gives the new owner the chance to observe the pup’s activity, appetite, bowel movements, and general health to frame any questions. Write your questions down so you won’t forget to ask something during the visit.

What should you bring with you at the first visit? Any health guarantee requiring a veterinarian’s signature and health records or records of vaccinations and a stool specimen. If you have never been to this particular veterinary clinic or hospital, you will be asked for information about yourself as well as your pet. Some states require either a driver’s license or social security number for a clinic to dispense controlled substances. Some veterinarians only collect this information if such drugs are prescribed, while others require this information at the first visit so it is on file if the need for these drugs arises.

After wading through the paperwork, you will likely be led into an examination room. In some cases, a veterinary technician or assistant may record your pet’s weight and record some basic information such as body temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate. They may also take some basic information concerning diet, housebreaking, training problems, sociability, health concerns, and where you acquired the puppy. In other clinics, the doctor will ask these questions during the examination.

The examination is the next step. There are likely as many different methods for the physical examination as there are veterinarians. I prefer the nose-to-tail method. I start out by petting and talking to the puppy while running my hands over as much of the body as possible. While I am doing this, I check the coat, body conformation, body size, lumps and bumps, and how comfortable the pup is with strangers. When the puppy seems comfortable with me, I start at the nose and work my way back.

There’s a lot to check on the head: eyes, ears, teeth, mouth, lips, throat, lymph nodes in the neck and larynx. I then check all the lymph nodes in the shoulder area and palpate all the joints of the front limbs. Then it’s time to listen to the heart and lungs and palpate the ribs and chest. Next I palpate the abdomen and back legs and then check the anal and genital areas. In some cases, I will want to watch the puppy walk and/or run, and occasionally I will do some simple neurologic tests. A treat or two along the way helps with the squirmy or shy puppy, but most are very co-operative. Following the examination, I will discuss necessary and optional vaccinations and treatments and administer them as requested.

Now it’s time for the question-and-answer session. This is probably the most important part of the visit. You should be comfortable asking your veterinarian any questions about diet, parasites (fleas, ticks, worms, etc.), grooming, dental care, behavior, neutering or spaying, house breaking, and any concerns you have about your pet’s health. If you are planning to use your dog as a hunting companion and have questions regarding field training, you will most likely have to rely on a trainer, as it is getting more and more difficult to find a veterinarian with any experience with training gun dogs. This is especially true in urban areas

The best advice I can give you about your first visit with a new puppy is that if at the end of your visit you do not feel comfortable with the doctor, do not feel your questions were adequately answered, do not feel the doctor was interested in your pet and your concerns, or feel that you were rushed through the visit, you should consider trying another doctor. Many clinics have more than one doctor, and you deserve someone you have confidence in and who meets your expectations. Do not be timid about trying different doctors until you establish a satisfactory relationship–after all, this is a relationship you hope will endure for the life of your pet.