Puppy Care
Congratulations on your new puppy! We can’t wait to meet your new puppy and welcome him or her into our family too!
The lifetime of love and strong bond you will share with your dog begins the day you bring your puppy home. Getting a puppy is an exciting time but there are certain essentials you will need to know to ensure your new puppy remains fit and healthy. We are your best partner in helping you keep your puppy healthy so he or she grows into the most wonderful dog they can be. We can also discuss any behavioral issues you may be with your new puppy to be sure they become a good family member.
Your Puppy’s First Wellness Exam
When you bring your puppy home, please schedule an appointment with one of our veterinarians for your puppy’s first wellness exam. This initial visit’s exam includes a thorough “nose-to-tail” physical and dental evaluation, allowing us to establish an individualized wellness care program for your puppy going forward, including proper vaccinations, parasite protection and proper nutrition.
Your puppy’s first exam will give us the opportunity to learn your expectations as a client and a pet owner. We are happy to address all of your questions and/or concerns about puppy and puppy care in general during any puppy wellness exam.
When you pick up your puppy, remember to ask what and when he or she was fed. Replicate that schedule until your first puppy visit with us. We will discuss your puppy’s breed, anticipated lifestyle and nutritional needs with you during your first puppy visit.
Your Puppy’s First Visit Includes:
- A thorough “nose to tail” exam, including dental exam.
- A customized vaccination program dependent on your puppy’s age and lifestyle
- Heartworm prevention recommendations
- Internal and external parasite screening
- Intestinal parasite deworming (as needed)
- Medical recommendations for preventing and controlling fleas and ticks
- Housetraining and behavioral consultation
- Nutritional needs discussion and exercise guidance
When visiting with your new puppy for the first time, please bring the following with you:
- Your puppy on a leash
- Any prior health records that you received when you brought your puppy home, such as history of vaccines, deworming, neutering, past medical history, etc.
For more information on our puppy wellness care, please read our “Wellness Recommendations for Puppies” page.
Immediate care is needed for your puppy if any of these symptoms arise:
- Coughing, trouble breathing, wheezing, or any respiratory problems
- Excess vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Non-stop panting, exhaustion, or restlessness
- Loss of appetite (or barely eating)
- Discoloration of gums (turning from pink to gray or white)
- Allergic reactions (i.e. swelling anywhere on the body or face or hives which are most visible on the belly
- Eye injury (even if mild)
- Seizures, fainting, or collapsing
- Shock or trauma from an accident (even if physical harm is not detected)
- Thermal stress, (an increase or decrease in body temperature)
- Any open wound that is bleeding (even if mild)
- An animal bite or attack (even if mild)
- Possible poisoning
- Foaming at the mouth
Schedule a Puppy Exam in Houston, TX
Please call us today to schedule your puppy’s wellness exam at West U Veterinary or Make An Appointment online.
