Welcoming a New Puppy Home!

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is such an exciting time! At Franklin Animal Clinic we have seen, and have had, our fair share of puppies. We would like to pass on a bit of advice and walk you through your new pup’s first vet visits!

A few little tips

• “Puppy proof” your home. Puppy should not have access to small toys, clothing, cords, medications, drugs, or toxins/poisons.
• Crates are safe places for puppy when you are sleeping, not home, or unable to supervise puppy.
• Have a good supply of puppy toys and circulate them so puppy doesn’t lose interest

A little information about preparing for your Puppy’s first vet visit

• All puppies require vaccinations which are usually done over a series of 3 visits.
  • At Franklin Animal Clinic, we recommend that all puppies are vaccinated for (divided and boostered over 3 visits)
    • Da2PP (Distemper, Adenovirus, and Parvovirus)
    • Leptospirosis, Bordetella (infection bronchitis)
    • Rabies (required by law in ALL dogs and cats).
  • If your puppy doesn’t receive their vaccines within the correct timeline then the vaccine may be ineffective. This would put your puppy at risk for deadly diseases. We most commonly see Parvovirus in unvaccinated/under vaccinated puppies and adult dogs.
• If you have any records, email them to us at before your visit: info@franklinanimalclinic.net
• Please bring a small stool sample from Puppy to the visit. We recommend a sample about the size of a tater tot and it should be 12 hours old or fresher.

Today’s the day for puppy’s visit!

• Don’t forget the stool sample!
• When you get here, don’t set puppy down! Don’t walk puppy in our grass! Right now, your puppy is at high risk for being exposed to Parvovirus, so hold on to them or keep them in a carrier. If you would prefer to wait in your car, please let us know so we can help organize that.
• Your puppy’s veterinarian will examine puppy and administer vaccines. They will also make recommendations for flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives. We recommend that all puppies and dogs stay on a heartworm preventative monthly, no matter the season.
• If your puppy received vaccinations during their visit, we expect them to be a little sleepy the rest of the day. It is a big deal going to a new place, meeting a bunch of new people, and getting shots.

Vaccine Reaction

Vaccine reactions are often minimal and easily treated. If your puppy has a reaction, we will treat them and adjust their future vaccine plan based on the type of reaction that occurs.

• Signs of a vaccine reaction most commonly include:
  • Swelling, tenderness at site of injection
  • Extreme lethargy
  • Inappetence
  • Swelling around the eyes and/or muzzle
  • Hives along sides and abdomen
  • Vomiting with or without diarrhea
  • VERY RARE: Collapse, difficulty breathing, and seizures would all be anaphylactic shock. If that occurs, Puppy needs to go to the closest veterinarian for immediate treatment.

Pet Insurance

Now is the time to enroll your puppy into a pet insurance plan. Need help finding the right one for you? Check out our article on Pet Insurance HERE!