Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time, filled with cuddles, playtime, and plenty of learning experiences. One of the most important steps in giving your puppy a healthy start is scheduling their first veterinary visit.These early checkups help ensure your puppy is growing properly, free from common health concerns that can be congenital, and protected against preventable diseases.
The First Vet Visit
Ideally, your puppy should see a veterinarian within the first few days of coming home. This visit is about more than just vaccines—it’s a chance to assess overall health, discuss diet and training, and answer any questions you may have about their care. We’ll check for common puppy concerns like parasites, proper growth, and any early signs of illness.
Puppy Vaccines
Puppies are born with some immunity from their mother, but this protection fades over time. That’s where vaccines come in. A typical puppy vaccine schedule includes:
- 6-8 weeks: First distemper/parvo, +/- Bordetella (kennel cough)
- 10-12 weeks: Booster distemper/parvo, first leptospirosis
- 14-16 weeks: Final boosters, including rabies (as required by law)
These vaccines protect against serious diseases that can be life-threatening or highly contagious. Regular boosters will keep their immunity strong as they grow. This schedule is just a general guide–each puppy is different and their lifestyle factors will also guide what is recommended.
Beyond Vaccines
Your puppy’s early vet visits also cover:
- Appropriate diet selection
- Starting flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
- Spay/neuter discussions and timing
- Behavior and training tips
Most importantly, these visits help your puppy build positive associations with coming to the vet- making future checkups stress-free. Our goal is to support you and your puppy every step of the way—so don’t hesitate to ask questions!