Congratulations on your new puppy! We can’t wait to meet the newest addition to your family.
Whether you are a new dog owner or experienced dog owner, congratulations on your new companion. Everyone at Lake Anna Veterinary Hospital wants to meet your new puppy to welcome him or her into our Lake Anna Veterinary Family. We promise that we will be here to support and provide you with all of the puppy care, guidance, and information you will need to ensure that your new puppy grows up strong, healthy and happy.
It is important to your new puppy’s long term health that we examine your puppy as soon as possible to identify any potential health issues early on. We will answer your questions on caring for your puppy long-term, including food and nutrition questions, vaccinations, other health topics and behavioral issues. Before you decide on a food, please talk to us. There are so many choices available and we want you to be able to choose the right food for your puppy, but be sure to feed him or her the same food supplied to you when you got your puppy until your first visit with us.
Your Puppy’s First Wellness Exam
The first step in keeping your puppy healthy is visiting us for a puppy wellness exam. This initial visit includes a thorough physical exam, allows us the opportunity to establish a relationship with you and your puppy as well as to fully understand your expectations as pet owner. We will also spend time with you answering all of your questions about puppy care.
Your puppy’s exam also includes:
- Flea/tick control. We will discuss the best product for your puppy’s lifestyle Heartworm preventative as needed
- Fecal examination for intestinal parasites and appropriate deworming
- Establishing a vaccine schedule for your puppy’s breed and anticipated lifestyle
- Necessary vaccines or vaccine boosters
- When visiting with your new puppy, please bring:
- Your puppy on a leash
- Any prior health information provided to you by the breeder, shelter or previous owner provided you such as a history of vaccines or worming
- A fresh stool sample
The following are signs that your puppy needs immediate care:
- Any respiratory problem: coughing, trouble breathing or near drowning
- Any signs of pain: panting, labored breathing, increased body temperature, lethargy, restlessness or loss of appetite
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- Any wound or laceration that’s open and bleeding, or any animal bite
- Allergic reactions, such as swelling around the face, or hives, most easily seen on the belly
- Any eye injury, no matter how mild
- Any suspected poisoning, including ingestion of antifreeze, rodent or snail bait, or human medication
- Seizure, fainting, or collapse
- Thermal Stress, either too cold or too hot, even if the dog seems to have recovered
- Trauma, such as being hit by a car, even if the dog seems fine
Please call us immediately if your puppy is exhibiting any of these symptoms.