Selecting A Vet

After yourself, the most important person in your puppy's life is a veterinarian. Take your puppy in for a visit as soon as possible. Your vet can check for problems you might miss. And if there is a problem, the sooner treatment starts, the better.

Your puppy may also need shots and vaccinations. A puppy gets disease protection from its mother's milk for the first six weeks, but then it needs shots. If you bought from a breeder, check to see if the shots have already been taken care of.

When searching for a vet, consider the following:

• Recommendation of family and friends.
• Cleanliness and orderliness of office.
• Proximity to your home.
• Office hours that fit your schedule.
• Rapport between yourself and the vet.

Also identify the nearest animal hospital. You never know when there might be an emergency.

By building a relationship with a vet, you will know that your puppy is getting care from someone you trust. And by going to the same vet over time, you will be building a medical history for your pet. Building a relationship with a vet will have a positive long-term impact on the quality of care your puppy receives throughout life.