What to expect during your first visit? A pet’s first visit to a veterinarian can seem a bit daunting. To help ease that anxiety, we have put together a list of information, tips, and resources to help you prepare for your pet’s first visit with us. Thank you for reading this blog article on this topic, we hope you find it useful!
At your first appointment, our team of veterinary staff will gather information about your pet’s background, health, diet, and training. It is important to complete the intake forms located on our website. This will ensure an easier check-in process on your exam day. We can and will also address any questions or concerns you might have. So what are things you need to think about prior to the visit? Well, we will share that and many other questions you might be wondering about your first visit.
When Should You Schedule The First Visit?
Schedule Your Visit Early. It’s best to schedule your veterinary visit early. We always appreciate when new clients arrive a few minutes early, as this allows your pet to get settled in to a new environment and provides you with more time to fill out the new patient/client paperwork. We offer patient forms online, which can facilitate us getting your pet into an exam room earlier.
Your veterinarian will examine your pet from nose to tail looking for things like dental disease, ocular abnormalities, heart murmurs, ear infections, and/or parasites. Your vet can also provide pet-proofing tips, training assistance, and parasite protection recommendations. Yearly wellness visits are recommended to keep your pet up-to-date on vaccinations and to help catch diseases early.
What Should Do Before Your First Appointment?
Bring All the Proper Items With You
There’s a lot you can do to help your pet’s first veterinary visit go smoother.
- Complete all relevant Patient Forms prior to your first visit.
- Prepare your questions ahead of time, even if that means writing them down.
- Assemble and be sure to bring all the proper items with you:
- Your pet’s adoption or purchase records – Bring your adoption papers from the shelter. This will help your veterinarian get to know your pet’s medical history, and which vaccines they’ve already had, or still need.
- Any existing medical history
- A list of current medications and supplements – Bring a list of any medications or supplements your pet is on, how often they take them, as well as the food you’re feeding them. If it’s easier, just bring the medications with you to the office. You can then explain what each one is and why your pet needs it.
- Current feeding schedule and the brand of food you use.
- Collect any necessary stool or urine samples if requested.
If you’re bringing in your dog, be sure he or she is accustomed to being on a short leash. If you’re bringing a cat, be sure to have an appropriate carrier.
Is it okay to bring treats or leave the room during the first visit with my pet?
Yes, Bring Treats!
Is there a treat that your pet really loves? Bring some for you to give to your pet during the appointment or feel free to use ours!
If Necessary, It Is Okay To Leave the Room
If you’re squeamish around needles, it’s okay to leave the room. Your pet might even pick up on your anxiety and get more stressed out themselves. Did you know, animals look to their pack leader for direction in new and uncomfortable situations?
It’s true, so if you are afraid of something they will feel the same way or go into protection mode. They might see whatever it is as a threat and go try to stop the threat. That is why sometimes it is okay to sit it out if you get nervous.
Remember to celebrate with your pet after the visit is over. Once you’re back at home, do something fun with your pet to help them relax after their first visit.
Do You Need To Understand The Appointment Policies?
Yes! Feel free to ask the staff at the front desk what the policies are. Keep in mind, that the policies may change from time to time, so be certain to ask how they communicate that. Consider arriving 10-15 minutes prior to your pet’s appointment for check-in.
While our animal hospital does our best to make sure all of our patients are seen on time, there will be times of occasional unexpected delay due to an emergency or because we are providing care for a patient that needs a little more time. Please accept our apologies in advance if this should occur, and understand that the same dedication and courtesy will be provided to your pet should they ever need it.
Thank you for reading this blog article by Tuscawilla Animal Hospital in Winter Springs Florida! – What to expect on your first visit?
The Tuscawilla Animal Hospital wrote this article to help you better understand the things you see and hear when our caring staff members are caring for your pet.
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