Bringing home a new pet is a very exciting time! You’ve probably been busy shopping for pet toys and treats and getting to know your new pet’s personality. But don’t forget that when you get a new pet, one of the first things you need to do is schedule a veterinary exam. Regular vet visits are an important part of your pet’s care, and your pet’s first vet visit will get you and your pet off to a healthy start. Here’s how to prepare your pet for a veterinary visit.
Why the First Vet Visit Matters
Whether you purchased a pet from a breeder or adopted a pet from a shelter, bringing them in for a veterinary exam is a very important next step. Besides making sure your pet is healthy and gets the proper vaccinations, this first visit allows you to ask your vet the millions of questions in your head about caring for your pet at home. As soon as your pet has toured their new home and is starting to feel comfortable, you should schedule their first wellness checkup.
Getting Ready for Your Appointment
As your pet’s first vet appointment approaches, making sure you are prepared is just as important as preparing your pet for the visit. You will want to gather the following to bring with you:
- Bring any vaccination records or medical history.
If you adopted a pet from a shelter or someone else, bring any information and paperwork you received. If there is no paperwork, make sure to ask the shelter, previous owner, or breeder about any medical and vaccination history. This information is important so your veterinarian can give your pet the best care possible.
- Write a list of questions.
As you think of questions you want to ask the vet before your appointment, make sure to write them down so you don’t forget anything. Along with a list of questions, make note of what you are feeding your pet, how much they are eating, any behavioral changes, bathroom habits, or anything else you think of.
- Bring a toy, a blanket, and treats.
To help reduce your pet’s stress during travel and at the clinic, you can bring their favorite toy, blanket, and treats so they feel more comfortable. You can also get a calming pheromone spray to use on their blanket to help reduce stress.
- Get them used to the carrier and riding in the car.
To prepare your pet for a veterinary visit, introduce them to their pet carrier several days before the appointment. Leave the carrier open in your kitchen or living room so your pet can explore it and become familiar with it. The more used to the carrier your pet is, the more comfortable they will be. Then, take your pet for a short ride or two in the carrier so that they know they are safe inside your vehicle.
What to Expect at Your Pet’s First Vet Visit
Your pet’s first vet visit will help to set the stage for keeping your pet healthy and safe going forward. Knowing what to expect at the first vet visit will help you be prepared. Every clinic will be slightly different, but in general, you should be prepared to discuss things like vaccinations, microchipping, and potential health problems.
Here is what you can expect at Aztec Pet Hospital:
- First, we will review any prior medical history or vaccination records you received from the shelter, previous owner, or breeder.
- Next, we will conduct a physical exam to evaluate your pet’s overall health and identify any potential problems.
- Throughout the exam, there will be plenty of opportunities for an open discussion. We will answer all your questions and give you all the information you need to take good care of your pet.
- We will recommend which vaccinations your pet needs and set up a vaccination schedule.
- If necessary, a deworming plan will be implemented. Recommendations for parasite prevention—such as flea control and heartworm prevention—may also be discussed.
- We also offer microchipping services, which you can take advantage of at any of your pet’s appointments, an important aspect of having your new furry family member. Depending on your pet, it may be better to wait until they are a little older or bigger. It can also be placed during another procedure.
Enjoy Your Pet’s First Vet Visit at Aztec Pet Hospital
Your new pet is now part of your family, and we know that you only want the very best for them. When you bring your pet to Aztec Pet Hospital, you can rest assured that they will receive only the highest standards of care. We also take pride in providing anxiety-free, pet-friendly vet visits—we don’t ever want your pet to be scared of the vet! If you have a new pet at home or you’re planning to adopt, contact us to schedule an appointment today.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (02/21/2025) Image by TyliJura from Pixabay