Puppies bring so much love and joy to our lives, but you would be hard pressed to hear someone say that raising a puppy is easy. Caring for your new puppy can be a challenge, and what you do now will set the stage for their health and behavior throughout their entire lives! At East Meadow Veterinary Center, we are dedicated to helping you to raise happy, healthy pets. That is why our one-of-a-kind veterinary clinic in Levittown has come up with the following guide for caring for your new puppy:
- Visit your veterinarian – Before you buy your new puppy a squeaky toy or a puppy bed, you need to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Puppies don’t have natural immunity when they are born, so as you can imagine, it doesn’t take a lot for a puppy to get sick. Your veterinarian will give you a vaccine schedule. Your puppy’s first vet visit is also a good time to talk to your vet about deworming, heartworm medication, dietary concerns and any questions you may have!
- Watch out for warning signs of sickness – Vaccines have to be administered over time, and until your puppy gets caught up on all of their vaccines, they are very susceptible to sickness. Watch out for early signs of illness, including diarrhea, vomiting, lack of appetite, nasal discharge, eye discharge, lethargy, wheezing, coughing, swollen abdomen or difficult breathing.
Do you want to learn more about caring for your new puppy? If so, please stay tuned for our next blog!