Puppy's vet visit

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GoEmGo
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Puppy's vet visit

Post by GoEmGo »

Hello everyone,

We are picking up our lovely miniature schnauzer puppy in three weeks and I was after a little bit of advice with regards to his first vet visit (with us).

What is the best thing to take him in? I know he'll be a diddy little thing so don't want to haul his house crate (that we are planning to purchase) to the vet. Are soft carriers or those bag/seat things any good? I don't want to bamboozle him with too much new stuff.

Also, he will already have had his first vaccinations a couple of days before I pick him up so should I wait until he's due his second before a trip to the vet or head to the vet for a brief check up in the meantime? Again, I want him to settle, and not be too overwhelmed.

Thank you so much! We are so excited to have him home!

Em
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Re: Puppy's vet visit

Post by Oscar 12345 »

Hi Em, you have choices. With my first I put him in a little soft carrier and with my second I carried him in my arms. I preferred the arms method as it was all so new that having the comfort of me carrying him gave lots of reassurance to both of us. I would take him to the vet when his 2nd vacs was due unless I was worried about something or had questions.

Exciting times :)
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we also need a schnauzer.
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Re: Puppy's vet visit

Post by Schnauzer Sam »

Hi Emma,

If you are buying from a KC registered breeder, have a read at the contract of sale you and the breeder signed. You should find that there's a clause saying that while the pup has been to see the breeder's vet, you should have your own vet examine the pup and report back the outcome to the breeder withing 7 days of purchase.

This first visit is often free (a puppy check) and is a good opportunity to meet another stranger who is going to get up close and personal :) My vet likes it as it's a chance for a pup to have a visit to the vet without any nasty stuff happening. I only live a few minutes walk away from my vet so we often pop in to use their scales and for a treat from the receptionists.

On a practical level, I carried both of mine to the vet (and every time I went out) until a week after their second jabs. The main thing is not to put them down on the floor, just let them settle on your lap and have a nosey.
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Re: Puppy's vet visit

Post by zeta1454 »

Welcome to the Forum, Emma :-)

We have found a pet buggy / stroller really useful for young puppies. They give you the opportunity to take them to vet surgeries while keeping them safe (before immunisation) from the unwanted attention of dogs whose health status you do not know and, when you are taking them to parks, towns, rail & bus stations, cafes etc. to accustom them to busy places similarly. A stroller will also come in useful if you want to go for a longer walk out with friends and family than would be suitable for a young pup as you can put him in the stroller so as not to tire him out.
We have found ours useful in so many situations throughout the dog's life :-)

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While it is important for your pup to meet and interact with well socialised healthy dogs and people and children who know how to behave with a puppy, there are often circumstances where the situation may be controlled better if the puppy is kept away from harm in a buggy.
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GoEmGo
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Re: Puppy's vet visit

Post by GoEmGo »

Thank you for the advice. It is much appreciated!

Those little strollers look adorable. I think I might opt for the arms sort of method, just so things aren't too overwhelming.

We aren't purchasing from a breeder per se. A lady has mated her bitch with a local sire from a KC assured breeder. Her bitch was from another local assured breeder's litter. When we went to visit the puppies, we were very impressed with the set up, especially having seen other set ups (we visited a couple of others and were on waiting lists). One KC registered assured breeder kept each of her bitches in separate crates in her conservatory and never let them in any other parts of the house. The puppies from the litter were kept in a very small pen. All of the dogs were incredibly noisy too. Four bitches were barking like crazy for the half an hour we were there.

This set up was much more peaceful and seemingly clean. We saw the mum with her pups, and the pups seemed content and relaxed, and happy to be picked up. They had a great pen, plenty of toys and had just started on more solid food. We were given the breeding lines, heritage and photos to look at. Both parents were eye tested and the pups will be too alongside worming and the first vaccination. Mum was affectionate, let us pet her and was delightful. The set up was really a family KC registered bitch having a litter - the lady said this will be her only litter, and I have no reason to doubt her. We actually live so close that we are planning to stay in touch for doggy play dates. She keeps us updated every other day with photos and videos and I'll be visiting again tomorrow to see our new pup again. I should say that the puppies from this litter have also been KC registered.

We were wary going for anything other than an assured breeder but we felt much happier with this litter.

Thanks again for your advice. Three weeks seems so long to wait before bringing him home!
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Re: Puppy's vet visit

Post by schnauzer »

With my first she just cuddled in my arms for an hour & half car journey home on a Saturday had vet appointment for 2 days after to have her checked over & start her inoculations.

With Gino who is now 20.5 months he came home in a doggy carrier bag for his 45 minute journey home & had vet appointment for the next day .
Image
Gino has been crated in our bedroom from day one, he was dry all night from day one & toilet trained within a couple of weeks. His breeder had crate trained ..& he still goes into his crate his choice at bedtime.
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Re: Puppy's vet visit

Post by GoEmGo »

Thank you so much for replying.

We only have a twenty minute journey so I think the little carrier or arms method might be suitable. If it's cold on the day, like it is at the moment, I'm think a little carrier may be more insulated. I'm just hoping we can make him as comfortable as possible for the journey.

And yes, we were also going to go down the crate in the bedroom method... :)
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Re: Puppy's vet visit

Post by schnauzer »

We used the carrier in the car when we were taking him anywhere e.g to the vet, visiting literally anytime he was with us until he grew out of it. He now has a harness on in the car when he’s with us.

As I said it’s Gino’s choice to go into his crate at bedtime & we would love him to sleep 💤 in his bed outwith the crate but as we go away a lot the crate is ideal for him to be left in eg hotel rooms etc while we eat breakfast/dinner especially if he’s not allowed though we do use dog friendly places as much as we can.
Christine & Gino (Siglette Shadow (born 9/5/17 ---

Suzi (15/5/04---13/4/17) (Sugarbabe) RIP loved you to the moon & back, miss you so so much precious girl
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