Vets & First Aid

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.

First Aid

As with any emergency, preparedness is the key:

• Keep emergency phone numbers near your phone. Call your vet's office and make sure it is open. If not, call the nearest emergency pet clinic.

• Unless you have been trained to administer CPR, it is best and safest to seek immediate vet care. (If you want to learn pet CPR, ask your vet to recommend a program in your area.)

Other first aid tips:

• Wrap your dog in a heavy towel or blanket to keep him warm and restrict his movements.

• Apply a pressure bandage (sterile gauze or a handkerchief) to stem or stop bleeding.

• Apply a cold compress to a burn and gently hold it there until you get to the clinic.

• Do not induce vomiting if your dog swallowed poison.

• At any sign of choking (drooling, difficulty swallowing, pawing at the mouth, gagging) don't attempt to remove the item.

• If your dog suffers heatstroke, take him to a cool spot and sponge him with cold water. Encourage him to drink small amounts of water.

• For frostbite, get your dog in a warm place. Apply warm moist towels to frostbitten areas. Change them until the area becomes flushed. Severe frostbite damages paw and ear tips so see your vet as soon as possible.