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5 Things To Bring To Your Puppy’s First Visit To The Vet

Amy Tokic
by Amy Tokic
Published:  January 16th, 2014
Starting things off on the right paw with your puppy’s first visit to the vet


It’s time for your puppy’s first visit to the vet – it can be nerve-racking for both you and your pup! Making regular appointments with your veterinarian will help to ensure that you are managing your dog’s health and getting a handle on problems before they get out of hand. And that first visit is the most important one. This is the start of a long relationship with a person who can help your long live a long, happy life.


Before you head into the office, it helps to be prepared. Here is a list of five things that will have you looking like a prepared pet parent.


Bring a list of questions: You have many questions and you’ll in luck – you’re about to visit a professional. If you’ve noticed anything physical symptoms or unusual behaviors, bring them up with the vet. Ask about what future visits will entail, feeding concerns, or any other issues that arise. A good veterinarian will be happy to answer all of your questions and point you in the right direction of how to make the best health decisions for your dog.


Bring your puppy’s paperwork: If you got your puppy from a breeder or a shelter, she should have come with some kind of paperwork. It will list if your puppy has already been to a vet or has received any shots (puppies usually come with their first round of vaccinations). Give it to the veterinarian before you get started so he/she can follow up on care that’s already been provided.


Bring a stool sample: Ick! I know you just want to pick it up and throw it out, but your puppy’s poop will tell the vet a lot about your dog’s health. This sample will be tested for internal parasites such as hookworm, roundworm, whipworm, coccidia, and giardia. The results will tell your vet which deworming medication to give your dog. You can give it to the lab assistant in a marked bag or container; just make sure your dog’s name is marked clearly on the sample.


Bring a carrier: Your puppy is bound to be nervous, excited or scared – or even all three! That’s why bringing her to the vets in a carrier is a smart idea for many reasons: it helps with transport; it’s a calming, secure den that’s familiar for your puppy; and it prevents curious pups from getting into everything at the vet’s office.


Bring your checkbook: Vet visits aren’t cheap, so make you’ve got enough money to cover it. After that first visit, you may want to look at dog insurance policies, which is a great idea. Do yourself a favor and call ahead to find out how much it’ll cost so you won’t be shocked at the bill.


If you have any tips you’d like to share from your puppy’s first trip to the vet, feel free to share them. Just leave them in the comment section below.

WOW
Amy Tokic
Amy Tokic

Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).

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If you thought that your chubby doggo is incredibly cute, you might want to consider what’s hiding behind that adorable exterior.  Pet obesity is a real thing, and it is a major health hazard that many dogs experience in their lifetime. And, sadly, a lot of it is connected to improper care and diet. To show us just how big of a problem it has become, the latest study from the  Association for Pet Obesity Prevention revealed that in the U.S. alone, around 59% of dogs and 61% of cats were overweight or obese! However, recently conducted research shows that there might be a way to battle the obesity pandemic – with certain strains of probiotics that can help curb pet obesity, especially when dogs are in question. A research team from Seoul National University's Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Life Science, conducted a study investigating the effects of probiotics on canine obesity. They discovered two strains that appeared to have weight-reducing properties in obese dogs. To assess the probiotic potential of these strains, the researchers employed a lifespan analysis using Caenorhabditis elegans, a genetic model known for its simplicity in genetic manipulation and shorter lifespan compared to other animal models. Their findings were detailed in a  paper published in the Microbiology Spectrum journal.Thanks to the positive outcome of this research, a new hope was discovered for doggos struggling with excess weight. The use of Caenorhabditis Elegans offers “interventions aimed at enhancing metabolic health in various mammals”, according to the research team. What is more, the effects could be applied to cats, humans, and other mammals, since C. Elegans “serves as a human homolog model”. In general, this whole study could prove to be beneficial to several animal species, as well as humans, making its significance multifold. However, the exact way that bacteria affects weight is not entirely understood. Even though some studies show that certain strains will slow weight gain, researchers were still unable to find a connection between bacteria and weight.Nevertheless, the study is proving to be a major leap forward when pet obesity is considered. There is plenty of potential in this study, and further efforts could change the way dog obesity is experienced – or possibly even root it out for good! 

How Often Do Dogs Need to Go Out to Pee?

When nature calls, dogs answer. And when dogs answer, so do you – by taking them outside to do their business. In other words, if you have a potty-trained dog, they will rely on you to know when their bladder is full or at least to take them out frequently enough so it doesn’t get full in the first place. This leaves most owners with the question – how often do dogs need to go out to pee? You don’t want them to have an accident inside the home but you probably don’t want to take them out for a walk every hour or so (even if you did have the time for it) so it’s important to find the right balance. Here’s what you need to know so you can make it work for you and your dog.How Often Do Dogs Pee?The frequency at which dogs need to go out to pee can vary depending on several factors, including their age, breed, size, activity level, and overall health. In general, you can use the following guidelines as a starting point, but it's important to pay attention to your individual dog's needs and adjust accordingly. Sometimes, it’s enough to just observe the signs your dog gives you, like nudging you or standing by the door. But at other times, it requires a bit of “intervention”. When it comes to the connection between a dog’s age and their peeing habits, the younger the pooch, the more they need to go out. Puppies have smaller bladders and higher metabolisms, so they typically need to go out more frequently. A general rule of thumb is to take a puppy out every 1 to 2 hours, especially after eating, drinking, playing, or waking up from a nap. Make sure to let them know why you are going out so they’ll gradually relate walkies with peeing time.Adult dogs, on the other hand, can usually hold their bladders for longer periods. Most adult dogs need to go out every 4 to 6 hours. Some larger breeds may have more bladder capacity and can hold it longer, while smaller breeds may need to go out more frequently, so have that in mind too. Of course, as dogs age, their ability to hold their bladders may decrease. Senior dogs may need to go out more frequently, potentially every 3 to 4 hours. What is more, some senior dogs may suffer from incontinence, meaning that they can’t really control when or where they pee. In this case, you could  use disposable dog diapers until their condition improves or in periods when you’re not there to take them out more frequently and prevent accidents.

Top 10 Dumbest Dog Breeds
Top 10 Dumbest Dog Breeds
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