VMDiva

Many new pet owners can walk out of their first veterinary appointment and wonder “What did the vet just tell me?” With talk of vaccines, deworming, flea and tick preventatives, food recommendations, crate training and more it is easy to feel overwhelmed. With a little preparation and use of the tips below, you can maximize your first appointments and ensure the health of your new furry friend.

1) Bring Your Paperwork…and a Stool Sample
Make sure you bring any paperwork you received when you purchased or adopted your new pet. This information typically contains your pet’s date of birth and vaccine/deworming history and is important in letting the veterinarian decide what vaccines are needed. Some pets come into your lives without any paperwork. If this is the case with your new pet, be prepared to start a vaccination schedule from scratch.

Bring a fecal sample to your first appointment. Nearly all puppies and kittens have gastrointestinal parasites like hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. Roundworms are transmissible to people via fecal-oral contamination and hookworm larvae can penetrate a person’s skin. If your new pet is diagnosed with any of these parasites, your veterinarian will prescribe a deworming medication.

2) Write Down Your Questions

Some of the most prepared new pet owners come in with a list of questions on a pad of paper. Write down questions as you think of them and be sure to ask about every item on the list. Don’t be afraid to ask “silly” or “stupid” questions. Your vet has likely answered those questions in the past and can provide the reassurance you need to confidently raise your pet.  If you don’t ask, you’ll never know.

3) Don’t Try to Remember Everything

Your new pet will most likely require two or more appointments to ensure adequate vaccination. A good veterinarian will reiterate information provided in the first appointment during subsequent visits. And as I always tell my clients, it’s my job to remember your pet’s vaccination needs.

4) Schedule Your Next Appointment

Before you leave, schedule your next appointment. Even the best intentions can be thwarted by busy schedules, unseen events, and procrastination. To ensure your new furry friend is fully vaccinated, you need to adhere to the vaccine schedule laid out by your veterinarian. Lapses in vaccinations can result in development of serious illnesses or even death.

With information and a healthy foundation,  just relax and enjoy your new pet!