Perfect Puppy Care Book – Chapter 7 – Puppy Health Care

Chapter 7 – Puppy Health Care

With all the diseases, parasites, and injuries that can befall your puppy, you may be tempted to wrap her up in a plastic bubble to keep her safe. That may not be practical—but you can learn how to protect your puppy by providing her with quality health care.

The Veterinarian

When you add a puppy to your family, you also need to make an important addition to your address book and cell phone speed dial: her doctor. Your puppy’s veterinarian will provide important preventive and medical care.

One of the most important things that you can do for your puppy is to find her a quality veterinarian, preferably for her lifetime. Choose a veterinarian before you even take your puppy home. Ideally, you should bring your puppy for an initial checkup within 48 hours of bringing her home. Some breeders or rescue groups may even specify that in their contracts.

Ask your friends, family, and coworkers if they are happy with their choice in veterinarian. If you belong to a dog sport club, ask for referrals from your fellow members.

What other people may find appealing in a veterinarian may not hold the same appeal for you, but asking them is a great place to start your research. You also can look in your telephone and online directories, or contact your state’s veterinary medical association and ask for a list of veterinarians in your area.

What sounds great on paper or through a friend’s description may be completely different in person. So call the practice you are considering and make an appointment to meet the veterinarian and support staff and to check out the practice to see if it’s the one you want for your puppy. You want to make an appointment so that you can be sure to meet the veterinarian. If you just show up, you may be able to talk with the support staff, but the veterinarian likely will be busy with patients.

Some veterinarians may charge you for an appointment, even if you’re coming by yourself. Don’t let that scare you off. You are asking for a block of time, just like a regular patient. You will also be asking for information and expecting the veterinarian to answer your questions, so he is still offering you a service. Some veterinarians won’t charge you or may charge a reduced fee. When you call for the appointment, be sure to explain that you are interviewing practices because you are getting a puppy, and ask them about any related fees.

Facility: Is it clean? Is it free of unpleasant odors? Are the grounds outside well kept? If there are boarding or grooming services also available that you would use, are they clean and free of unpleasant odors? Is the practice in a good location and easy to get in and out of?

Experience: How long has the veterinarian been in practice? If you have a breed with special concerns, how familiar is he with caring for them? If you are training your dog for sports activities, how familiar is he with treating canine athletes?

Office Hours: What are the office hours? When are the doctors available for appointments? Are these hours compatible with your availability?

Appointments: How long does it take the practice to answer the phone? How long is someone kept on hold? Is the staff friendly and helpful over the phone? How long does it take to get an appointment for a well-puppy visit versus a sick puppy visit? If there are several doctors in the practice, can you pick a specific doctor? Who covers the practice if a doctor is sick or on vacation?

Emergencies: How does the practice handle emergencies during regular office hours? Do they offer walk-in appointments? How does the practice handle emergencies after office hours or on holidays?

Services: What services are available? Does the practice provide medical exams? Surgeries (and if so, what kind)? X-rays? Dentistry? Nutrition counseling? Laboratory testing? What about other services, such as boarding and grooming? Is the veterinarian willing to refer to a specialist if necessary? If so, who are the specialists they recommend?

Fees and Payment: What methods of payment are accepted? Does the practice require immediate payment for services, or does it bill? Are payment plans available? What is the typical fee for a well-puppy visit, annual exam, dentistry, and neutering surgery?

Staff: Are the doctors in the practice members of professional associations? Do they all pursue continuing education to keep up with the latest information? Are you comfortable with the veterinarian? Is the doctor knowledgeable, friendly, and willing to answer your questions? What about the support staff? You will probably interact with the support staff more than with the doctor, so you want to be comfortable with the entire practice package. Is the support staff friendly, courteous, knowledgeable, and willing to answer your questions? Does the staff treat clients and their clients’ pets with respect? Are they patient with frightened or nervous animals? If you begin to wish that you could come to this practice for your own health care, then you’ve probably found a caring, professional place to take your puppy.