What Should Be Done During Your Pet's First Vet Visit? Complete Guide
Adopting a new pet is an exciting experience, but it comes with important responsibilities. The first veterinary visit is one of the most critical steps to ensure your pet lives a healthy life. In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn in detail what needs to be done at the first vet visit, how to prepare, and what to pay attention to.
🏥 When Should the First Vet Visit Be?
Timing matters:
- Puppy/kitten: Within the first 48-72 hours after adoption
- Adult animal: Definitely within the first week
- Emergency situations: Immediately (vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, not eating)
- Shelter origin: Health check as soon as possible
- Ideal time: Morning hours (animal is more energetic)
📋 Pre-Visit Preparation Checklist
Required Documents and Information
- Adoption papers: Breeder/shelter information
- Previous health records: Vaccination card, treatment history if available
- Pedigree certificate: For purebred dogs
- Insurance information: If you have pet insurance
- Emergency contacts: Previous owner/shelter contact details
- Observation notes: Behavior, food-water consumption, bathroom habits
Materials to Prepare
- Carrier/crate: Safe and comfortable
- Collar and leash: Mandatory for dogs
- Stool sample: For parasite check (fresh, within 12 hours)
- Urine sample: If possible (in clean container)
- Food sample: Brand of food you're using
- Towel/blanket: For familiar scent
- Toy: For calming effect
- Treats: For positive reinforcement
List of Questions to Ask
- What should the vaccination schedule be?
- When should spaying/neutering be done?
- What's the most suitable food type?
- What should the parasite protection program be?
- When should dental care start?
- How do I contact you in emergencies?
- What are your insurance recommendations?
🔍 Checks Performed During First Examination
1. General Physical Examination
Detailed checks performed by the veterinarian:
- Weight and body condition: Healthy weight range determined
- Body temperature: Normal: 38-39°C (100.5-102.5°F)
- Heart rate: Rhythm and speed check
- Respiratory system: Lung auscultation
- Lymph nodes: Swelling or tenderness check
- Dehydration test: Fluid balance check
2. Eye Examination
- Eyelids: Redness, swelling, discharge
- Pupils: Light response check
- Cornea: Transparency and surface check
- Conjunctiva: Color and moisture check
- Vision ability: Basic vision tests
3. Ear Examination
- Outer ear: Redness, odor, dirt
- Ear canal: Signs of infection
- Eardrum: Integrity check
- Mite check: Ear mite screening
- Hearing test: Basic hearing assessment
4. Dental and Oral Examination
- Tooth count: Age-appropriate check
- Gum health: Color, swelling, bleeding
- Palate: Cleft palate check
- Tongue and throat: Abnormality screening
- Jaw structure: Bite check (malocclusion)
5. Skin and Coat Check
- Skin quality: Dryness, flaking, redness
- Coat condition: Shine, shedding, dull appearance
- Flea/tick check: Parasite screening
- Fungal check: Skin fungus signs
- Allergic reactions: Itchy, red areas
- Lumps/masses: Abnormal skin swellings
6. Abdominal Palpation
- Organs: Liver, spleen, kidney size check
- Tenderness: Signs of pain
- Abnormal masses: Tumor screening
- Intestinal sounds: Digestive system check
7. Musculoskeletal System
- Joint mobility: Hip, knee, elbow check
- Gait analysis: Limping or imbalance
- Muscle tone: Muscle development assessment
- Paw check: Nails, paw pads, between toes
8. Reproductive Organs
- Testicles (male): Descent status, size, symmetry
- Vulva (female): Discharge, abnormality check
- Mammary glands: Mass screening
- Spay/neuter consultation: Timing and benefits
💉 Medical Procedures Performed at First Visit
Vaccinations (Depending on Age and History)
Puppy Vaccination Schedule:
- 6-8 weeks: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- 10-12 weeks: DHPP booster + Leptospirosis
- 14-16 weeks: DHPP booster + Rabies vaccine
- Optional: Bordetella (kennel cough), Lyme disease
Kitten Vaccination Schedule:
- 6-8 weeks: FVRCP (Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia)
- 10-12 weeks: FVRCP booster
- 14-16 weeks: FVRCP booster + Rabies vaccine
- Optional: FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) - for outdoor cats
Parasite Control and Treatment
- Fecal analysis: Internal parasite (worms, tapeworms) screening
- Deworming: Internal parasite treatment (if needed)
- Flea/tick preventive: External parasite protection initiated
- Heartworm test: For dogs over 6 months
- Regular protection plan: Monthly/quarterly preventive program
Laboratory Tests (If Needed)
- Complete blood count (CBC): Overall health status
- Biochemistry panel: Organ functions
- Urinalysis: Kidney and urinary tract health
- FIV/FeLV test: For cats (immunodeficiency/leukemia)
- Giardia test: In case of diarrhea
Microchip Application
- ID verification: Permanent identification method
- Lost situation: Increases chance of being found
- Legal requirement: Mandatory in some areas
- Painless procedure: Quick application similar to vaccination
- Registration: Registered in national database
📝 Information to Get from Veterinarian
Nutrition Plan
- Food type: Age and breed-appropriate recommendations
- Portion control: Daily calorie needs
- Meal frequency: Age-based determination
- Forbidden foods: List of toxic and harmful foods
- Additional vitamins/minerals: Supplements if needed
- Water consumption: Daily water needs
Behavior and Training Recommendations
- Socialization: Critical period (3-14 weeks for puppies)
- Potty training: Techniques and timing
- Basic obedience training: When to start
- Play and exercise: Daily activity recommendations
- Biting behavior: Managing puppy teething period
Care and Hygiene
- Coat care: Brushing frequency and techniques
- Bath routine: How often and how
- Nail trimming: Regular maintenance schedule
- Teeth brushing: Starting daily dental care
- Ear cleaning: Weekly/monthly check
- Anal gland check: Signs and care
Emergency Plan
- 24/7 vet: Emergency clinic contact information
- Poisoning: Emergency response steps
- First aid: What to keep at home
- Warning signs: When to go immediately
🏠 After Returning Home
First 24-48 Hours
- Rest: Provide calm environment
- Vaccine reaction monitoring: Mild lethargy is normal
- Appetite check: Food-water consumption tracking
- Bathroom habits: Regular observation
- Behavior changes: Monitor for abnormal signs
Follow-up Appointments
- Vaccine boosters: Schedule appointments according to calendar
- Spaying/neutering: Plan around 6 months
- Annual check: Regular health screenings
- Dental cleaning: Timing recommended by vet
💰 Cost Planning
Budget estimate for first vet visit (USA 2025):
- Initial examination: $50-150
- Vaccines (set): $75-200
- Fecal analysis: $25-50
- Blood tests: $100-300 (if needed)
- Microchip: $45-75
- Deworming: $20-50
- Flea/tick preventive: $50-100 (3 months)
- Total estimate: $365-1,025
⚠️ Important Points to Note
During the Visit
- ❌ Don't put puppies on the ground (infection risk)
- ❌ Prevent contact with other animals (until vaccines are complete)
- ❌ Don't rush the veterinarian (allow time for thorough examination)
- ❌ Don't hesitate to ask questions (every detail matters)
- ✅ Stay calm (your stress transfers to the animal)
- ✅ Take notes (record all information given)
After Vaccination
- Normal reactions: Mild lethargy, decreased appetite (24 hours)
- Slight swelling: Small lump at injection site (1-2 weeks)
- Emergencies: Facial swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulty → Vet immediately
🔄 Regular Veterinary Follow-up Program
Recommended program after first visit:
- 0-6 months: Once a month (for vaccination program)
- 6 months-1 year: Every 3 months
- 1-7 years: Once a year (annual check + vaccine boosters)
- 7+ years: Twice a year (senior wellness check)
- Emergencies: Extra visits as needed
📱 Tips for Choosing a Veterinarian
- Location: Close to home is important for emergencies
- Hours: Do they offer 24/7 emergency service?
- Equipment: Are modern diagnostic devices available?
- Experience: Are they experts in your pet's species/breed?
- Communication: Do they answer your questions in detail and patiently?
- Pricing: Do they offer transparent and reasonable prices?
- References: Are other pet owners' reviews positive?
If you haven't found a reliable veterinarian yet or are looking for the best veterinary clinics in your area, you can contact verified and experienced veterinarians through Petopic.com veterinary services page.
Remember, the first vet visit is not just a health check, but also an important opportunity to build a trust relationship between your pet and the veterinarian. Regular veterinary follow-ups and preventive care are the key to your pet living a long and healthy life!