Puppy Care
It makes no difference if you are a new dog owner or an experienced dog owner, bringing a new puppy home is a wonderful time for you and your family. As exciting as it is to have a new puppy, it is also a good bit of work! At Animal General Hospital, we are here to help you and your new puppy get off to a great start.
When you bring your new puppy in for his or her first visit, we will perform a comprehensive examination. This exam will help us discover if your new puppy has any potential health issues. It will also give us the opportunity to evaluate your new puppy’s overall current health.
A typical first exam for your puppy will include:
- A complete physical examination
- Weighing your puppy
- Diet and nutritional counseling
- Administering the proper vaccines for your puppy
- Heartworm screening and prevention
- Parasite screening and prevention
- Behavior and training recommendations
During your wellness visit, we will also cover other topics with you, such as:
- Behavioral issues
- Socializing your puppy
- Housetraining
- Pet insurance
Your puppy’s wellness exam is an excellent time to ask us any questions you may have regarding the care of your puppy. We welcome any questions you may have.
Microchipping
Just as vaccines protect your puppy from disease and illness, a microchip helps keep your puppy safe if they are ever lost or stolen. A microchip is a permanent way to identify your dog using radio-frequency. It is roughly the size of a grain of rice and has a unique identifier that connects your puppy or dog to you. Many lost or stolen dogs have been reunited with their owner because of microchip technology.
The First Visit
In preparation for your puppy’s first visit with us, it is helpful to bring the health information provided to you by the seller or shelter. We also ask that you bring a fresh stool sample, and bring your puppy on a leash or in a secure carrier.
If you have any questions about your puppy’s first wellness exam or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us (706-568-4848)
Recommended Supplies for Your Puppy
Below is a list of supplies we recommend for your new puppy. Chew toys will be invaluable, especially since puppies like to chew on almost anything they get can their teeth in.
- Food and water bowls
- Collar, leash and ID tag
- Chew toys
- Kennel or crate
- Training treats
- High-quality puppy food
- Toys
- Pet gate(s)
- Pet bed
- Grooming supplies
Give us a call today (706-568-4848) to schedule your new puppy’s wellness exam. We are thrilled to start this new journey with you.
Everyone was so wonderful from the moment we walked in. So kind and attentive. Dr. W and his staff made us feel as if we were their only patients that day. I never felt as though we were being rushed through to get to the next appointment. Everything was explained thoroughly and all questions were patiently answered. Would highly recommend!
We had a great experience bringing our kitten Sam to Animal General! The staff was kind and caring and was great at communicating with us through the whole process. We can’t wait to bring our other pets there for their vet needs.
Always a wonderful and positive experience!
Super friendly and helpful staff- The vet was compassionate and very knowledgeable. My puppy came in with a fractured femur and right away received lots of love and attention. I know I left him in good hands.
