Your first Vet Visit.
 

What to expect, What to bring with you, What about the vaccinations!



When should I go? - Usually with-in 48-72 hours of receiving your dog. Check your contract for the details as many health warranties stipulate a time frame! I always suggest pre-booking of the vet appointment, especially when you know the date you will pick up that wee one.


Make sure that you leave the breeders with the contract, the health guarantee and the HEALTH RECORD for this puppy. This should clearly show the veterinarians name and contact info.

What to Bring with you!

Bring your contract, your health records, and your list of questions to ask the vet.


What to Expect and or (Ask for):

1. Of course filling out the vet form. Have your microchip number handy to copy that into their file!

2. I like to bring puppies in a carrier to the vet. They are still vulnerable at a young age. I also will bring a small bath sized towel to put down on the examination table.


3. Your vet should wash their hands before examining mouth, teeth ,bite ears etc.


4. Expect a very thorough examination. And expect the vet to give a pleasant and warm reception to the puppy. In detail about the through examination and starting from the *rear* of the puppy.


a) The tail from root to tip and top to bottom. Looking here for tail-set, and well structured tail with no obvious *kinks* in it. Tail is lifted to exam anus, testes(for males)
b) Travelling down from the pelvis to each leg. Each joint is palpated the leg is moved at the hip, knee, and ankle joints. This is an assessment of boney structure of the rear end, and muscular development which should be symmetrical side to side, and be age appropriate. Paws are examined for nails, and underneath for paw pad integrity/health. You should expect to see the vet do a comparative feel side to side. That means he travels down one hip to toe with one hand and the other does the other leg


c) Undercarriage - the whole underbelly should be felt - from inner groins right up to the chest area. Here we want to note hernias


d) The spine - palpated from root to top. Some way the vet has of assessing spinal joint mobility - this might look like they lift the two back legs off the table and stretch the dog out. But their fingers should do a spinal walk all along.

Continued
 

e) Shoulders - you should expect the vet to assess the mobility of the shoulder


f) Neck spine again the same


g) Ears - palpated but also smelt and looked within


h) Eyes - examined - no tearing or encrustations should be present.


I) Mouth - the bite, and looking inside the mouth. No smell all teeth present and at least a level bite.


J) All down the front legs again palpating each joint - and putting the major joints through range of movement


The dogs heart should be listened to with a stethoscope, an assessment of his pulse done as well.


Gaiting - the vet should ask to see your dog walk. Either at the beginning or end.


Weight is taken.

Vaccinations
 

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/die...-overview.html


Here is a great informative article on this.

Your list of questions
 

In the two or three days you have had the puppy, you really want to track their eating and drinking amounts, peeing n pooing, and note the frequency, the coloration and if any odor is present.


Note how your pup walks around your house. Lots of bunny hopping? Is he/she shy or intrepid explorer.


Does your puppy shiver a lot, head press, are they generally energetic or lethargic. Health puppies have short bursts of energy and will flop down for their nap when tired.


Do they sleep through the night (haha) and great if they do :D


In the examination I told you about from the vet - this too you should do - in fact weekly or every two weeks. You want to be really familiar with your dogs structure how their bones and muscles feel, plus this is training the puppy to something called the medical touch. Don't forget the ears and teeth too!


Make a note of anything that seems weird or odd to you!.


Ask the vet about their Spay and neuter policy and experience with toy breeds. What are the standard protocols they use.


Ask the vet about splitting up shots for your Yorkie and most especially the Rabies one.