How do you and your puppy benefit from preventative wellness exams?
The first few months of a puppy’s life are critical for their future physical and mental development and well-being. During your pet’s puppy preventative wellness visits, we can give you the tools and information you need to keep them happy and healthy. This includes information on nutrition, behaviour, socialization, dental care, vaccination, spaying and neutering, and preventative medicine.
Your puppy’s first preventative wellness exam is recommended at eight weeks of age, or as soon as you bring him/her home.
If your puppy has received vaccinations and deworming from their breeder, we still recommend that they come in for a preventative wellness visit. Your veterinarian will ensure that your puppy has finished a complete series of booster vaccinations, and will also perform a physical exam to ensure that they do not have any health concerns. It is extremely common for puppies to have parasites, such as fleas and intestinal worms, so your veterinarian may prescribe a parasite treatment and preventative.
Your puppy will be scheduled for three preventative wellness visits that are four weeks apart.
By the end of their third visit, your puppy will be fully vaccinated for one year, and you will have a wealth of information on puppy nutrition, growth and development. We recommend that your puppy returns to Eagle Ridge Animal and Bird Hospital at 6 months of age to be spayed or neutered, and then afterward for annual preventative wellness exams and vaccine boosters.
Until your puppy is fully vaccinated, you should keep them away from potentially unvaccinated dogs, avoiding parks and daycares. Puppies need socialization at an early age, but you should do this with dogs that you know are healthy and have their vaccines up to date.
We look forward to meeting your new puppy!