What Is a Well Puppy Exam?

As a dog lover, few things can be more exciting than bringing a new puppy into your life. And just as a family prepares well in advance for a new baby, you must plan for the new puppy before she ever steps into your home. One of the first and most important things you must do with your new companion is to find a skilled veterinarian that you can trust. Your puppy's first visit is typically called a well puppy exam, and generally consists of a mix of educational discussion and preventative measures.

  1. Physical Examination

    • Your well puppy examination includes a thorough physical examination. Your vet will check your puppy's eyes, examine her teeth and gums, look in her ears for signs of yeast or ear mites, and check her coat for fleas or infection. The vet will also note the puppy's weight, take her temperature and listen to her heart, lungs and bowel functions. He may palpate her tummy and examine her body for abnormalities. A fecal exam to detect parasites is especially important for young puppies; the vet will take a stool sample from the pup and de-worm her if necessary, according to Nicholas H. Dodman, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

    Consultation

    • If you are a new puppy parent, it is natural for you to experience some anxiety about how to care for your puppy. A puppy is like an infant; she wakes up during the night, cries, wants to eat and needs to potty. She may be missing her mother or litter mates and needs your attention the first weeks. During the well puppy exam, the veterinarian will take the time to go over the basic guidelines for day-to-day care and how to be a responsible guardian to your new puppy. He will also explain the benefits of spaying or neutering your pet. If you have questions that you would like answered concerning feeding, your puppy's disposition to certain breed-related disorders, vaccinations, training or socialization, jot them down the night before and bring them with you to your first appointment.

    Vaccinations and Parasite Prevention

    • Your puppy needs protection from a range of diseases that can make your pet very sick or even die. These include distemper, viral hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvo virus, bordatella (kennel cough), corona virus and rabies, according to Dr. Race Foster of PetEducation.com. The first injections -- with the exception of rabies -- are usually administered at 6 weeks of age, when the pups are still with their mother, so your well puppy exam may include the second set of injections in the series of three sets. The vet will also discuss preventative measures for fleas, heartworm and ticks.

    Samples

    • Your vet wants your puppy to get a good start in life. When your well puppy examination concludes, the vet may provide you with a puppy kit that includes doggy toothpaste and a finger toothbrush, dental treats, and a health record kit in which you can record your puppy's health and vaccination schedules.