It makes no difference whether you are a new dog owner or an experienced dog owner; bringing a new puppy home is an exciting time for you and your family. As exciting as it is to have a new puppy, it is also a good bit of work! At Warwick Animal Hospital in Newport News, VA, we are here to help you and your new puppy get off to a great start.
When you bring your new puppy in for their first visit, we will perform a comprehensive examination. This exam will help us discover whether your new puppy has any potential health issues. It will also allow us to evaluate your new puppy's overall current health.
A typical first exam for your puppy will include:
- A complete physical examination
- Weighing your puppy
- Diet and nutritional counseling
- Administering the proper vaccines for your puppy
- Heartworm screening and prevention
- Parasite screening and prevention
- Behavior and training recommendations
During your wellness visit, we will also cover other topics with you, such as:
- Behavioral issues or problems
- Socialization of your puppy
- Housetraining
- Pet insurance
Your puppy's wellness exam is an excellent time to ask us any questions you might have regarding the care of your puppy. We welcome any questions you have.
Microchipping
Just as vaccines protect your puppy from disease and illness, a microchip helps keep your puppy safe if he or she is ever lost or stolen. A microchip is a permanent way to identify your dog using radiofrequency. It is roughly the size of a grain of rice and has a unique identifier that connects your puppy or dog to you. Many lost or stolen dogs have been reunited with their owners because of microchip technology.
The First Visit
In preparation for your puppy's first visit with us, it helps if you bring the health information provided by the seller or shelter. We also ask that you bring a fresh stool sample and bring your puppy on a leash or in a secure carrier.
If you have any questions about your puppy's first wellness exam or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us (757-595-3337).
Recommended Supplies for Your Puppy
Below is a list of supplies we recommend for your new puppy. Chew toys will be invaluable, especially because puppies like to chew on almost anything they get can their teeth in.
- Food and water bowls
- Collar, leash, and ID tag
- Safe chew toys
- Kennel or crate
- Training treats
- High-quality puppy food
- Pet gate(s)
- Pet bed
- Grooming supplies
Give us a call today (757-595-3337) to schedule your new puppy's wellness exam. We are thrilled to start this new journey with you.