Guide, 6 steps
First vet visit: what to bring and ask
You need
- Any paperwork you got (vaccine and deworming records, microchip)
- A fresh stool sample in a bag, if asked
- The name of their food
- A carrier or leash, plus treats
- Your list of questions
Step 1: Book a visit in the first few days at home, even if your puppy looks healthy.
Step 2: Gather the papers from the breeder, shelter or previous owner.
Step 3: Carry them or use a carrier and keep them off the waiting-room floor — sick dogs may have been there.
Step 4: During the exam, keep the treats coming: the vet will weigh them and check them head to tail.
Step 5: Ask about: the vaccine and deworming schedule, which parasite products are safe at this age, when they can go for walks and to classes, how much to feed, microchip and registration, and when to discuss spay/neuter.
Step 6: Add the next dates to Kibi's health calendar before you leave.
When to see the vet
- Before the visit, they vomit or have diarrhea (especially bloody): call right away, don't wait.
- They won't eat or seem very lethargic.
- Anything else worries you: call the clinic and ask whether to come in sooner.
Sources
- Puppy — Recommendations for New Owners, Part I: Veterinary Care
- Puppy's First Vet Visit
- Position Statement on Positive Veterinary Care
- Canine Parvovirus (Professional Version)
- Puppy Care (Pet Owner Version)
This is general information, not a diagnosis, and it doesn't replace your vet, who always has the final say.