Preparing for Your Dog's First Veterinary Visit

You are the most important person in your dog’s world. The second-most important person in your dog’s life is your veterinarian. These animal doctors have two major goals: to keep animals healthy for as long as they can and to care for them when they become ill.

Keeping your dog healthy requires exercise, excellent nutrition, and consistent medical care. Your veterinarian can help you with all three components of your pet’s healthy lifestyle. Since you and your dog will make many trips to the veterinary hospital over the years, it is best to start preparing your dog for these visits as a puppy.

What can I do before the first visit?

Even if you are within walking distance of your veterinary hospital, you should accustom your dog to car travel, as there will be times your dog will need to travel farther for veterinary care. Getting your dog used to car travel is essential. For safety, properly restrain your dog in your car using a crate or an approved canine harness restraint. Before going to the veterinary hospital, take practice car rides, making short trips to a pleasant location, such as a nearby dog park, and provide a treat when you reach the destination. If your dog enjoys traveling in a vehicle, going to your veterinarian is much easier for everyone.

What can I do to make the first visit a good experience?

The first visit to the veterinary clinic should not be clinical at all, but rather a fun introduction to a new place. When scheduling your first visit, tell the receptionist that you want to introduce your dog to the veterinary clinic before their medical appointment. Ask if you can drop in when the clinic is least busy so your dog is not overwhelmed by a multitude of strange dogs and cats, and so the receptionist has time to chat with you.

While in the veterinary clinic, have your dog on a short leash to keep them close to you. Small dogs can be held in your arms but should still be on a leash in case they manage to jump out of your embrace. You may want to place a nervous dog inside a crate to limit his interaction with other animals and to make him feel secure. You can improve the homey atmosphere of the crate by lining it with a familiar-smelling towel or blanket.

With your dog safely under your control, you can focus on making this first hospital experience a fun one. Veterinary staff members will be happy to give you a tour of the hospital, make friends with your dog, and offer a treat to make the first visit pleasant.

Bring along all medical records, including previous immunizations, deworming treatments, heartworm/tick prevention, and medical concerns, so you can start setting up your dog’s medical chart. Ensure your new veterinarian has your dog’s complete medical record from their previous veterinarian. This record may simply be vaccinations for an 8- or 12-week-old puppy but will include more thorough written information on your dog’s health if your dog is older. Records can often be sent directly from the veterinarian to your dog’s new clinic, with your permission.

What should I do for my dog’s first medical appointment?

Now for the real thing. Before the actual veterinary visit, take your dog for a walk to expend a little excess energy. Gather a stool sample in a plastic bag if your dog has a bowel movement on your walk.

After checking in with the receptionist, sit in a quiet area of the waiting room (if there is one) and speak to your dog in a calm, reassuring voice. Keep them close to him since your presence is comforting. Try to position him so that other animals are not in his direct line of vision.

A veterinary technician or assistant may accompany you into the exam room and ask questions about your dog’s appetite, brand of dog food, feeding schedule, and quantity fed. Be precise; “one scoop” can be one cup or 5 cups. The technician will ask about elimination habits (Are his stools normal? How many times a day does he urinate?), exercise regimen, and general health condition (Does he scratch, limp, sneeze, cough, have a runny nose?).

"With all these strange things happening, your dog will need to hear your comforting voice."

To check for intestinal parasites, the technician will retrieve a stool sample if you did not bring one and may also take a small blood sample to check for heartworm and tick-transmitted diseases. They may take your dog’s temperature, too. With all these strange things happening, your dog will need to hear your comforting voice.

When the technician is done gathering vital information, your veterinarian will see you and your new dog. Your veterinarian will befriend your pup before starting the actual exam, making you both feel more comfortable. A complete physical exam will include scanning the coat for any dryness, bald spots, irritated areas, pustules, or parasites. 

Your veterinarian may look at the eyes from cornea to retina with an ophthalmoscope, examine the ear canals with an otoscope, and open the mouth to assess teeth and gums. Your veterinarian will listen to your pup’s heart and lungs and palpate his abdomen, as well as check for hernias and soft spots on the skull. Your veterinarian will examine your dog’s legs and watch your dog walk to detect any gait abnormalities.

After the physical exam, your veterinarian will discuss and administer the necessary immunizations and give you a schedule for follow-up boosters. Medication for intestinal parasites, fleas, and ticks will be provided, if needed. Heartworm preventives will also be prescribed.

What can I do to reduce anxiety in my dog?

Your dog may find some parts of the physical examination strange or react to if they’re not used to them. Work with your dog regularly to ensure that they are comfortable with you touching them everywhere. Practice lifting his lips, opening his mouth, looking down his ears, flexing his limbs, manipulating his toes and feeling his abdomen. You can also train your dog to stand calmly beside you while allowing someone else to do these things. Keep everything positive and brief, rewarding your dog with treats and/or cuddles when they cooperate. If your dog becomes restless, give him a break and try again later.

Also, teaching your dog to accept restraint can reduce their anxiety for certain procedures. Try holding your dog in a standing position: gently place your arm around their neck in a semi-hug, while your other arm supports them under their belly. Continue to use praise, scratches/pats, and treats while doing this. Gradually increase the time you hold them and don’t forget the rewards!

What about future veterinary visits?

The veterinary staff will remind you when to return for follow-up visits. Expect to bring your dog to your veterinarian twice a year for wellness visits. These check-ups will help keep your dog healthy by preventing illnesses through immunizations and parasite control and by diagnosing problems early through regular examinations and lab testing.